63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

[Michael H.]

For a few years now, I've been telling everyone about the tan/beige underside of a 63-65 tan soft top with little response. I suppose it's mostly because most don't believe it or don't want to believe it because they already have a new tan top with a black underside.
I refered to a few cars that I knew had their original factory installed tan tops, one of which was my old 65 396 car. (the one that Burroughs restored in the late 70's)
Another excellent example is the incredible 1500 original mile green/saddle 65 FI conv that was in the Bloomington Special Collection this year.
Fortunately, Drew Papsun was able to get several excellent pictures of the underside of the tan top on this car.
I'm sure everyone will agree, this IS the factory original top.
Thanks Drew.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

I had no doubt. The blue 58s were also blue inside.

[Brian K.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Hi Michael, should a 66 with a tan top have the the tan/beige underside? Thanks sincerely Brian

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Hi Michael, should a 66 with a tan top have the the tan/beige underside? Thanks sincerely Brian

Good questin Brian. I have a feeling the 66 tan top might have had a black underside. Here's why I think it's possible.
The GM part number for a black or white soft top assembly remained the same 63 through 66 but the beige top was unique to either 63-65 or 66. (info from a 1966 printing of the parts book in group 13.346) It's listed as follows. This is a complete top assembly with bows etc;

63-66 Corvette...Top Assembly.......black..............3831866
63-66 Corvette...Top Assembly.......white..............3831687
63-65 Corvette...Top Assembly.......Beige..............3831868

There is no listing for a beige top assembly for 66.

In the same book, same group, the soft top trim (canvas or cover) is shown as follows;

63-66 Corvette...Trim assembly.......black..............3839728
63-66 Corvette...Trim assembly.......White.............3839730
63-65 Corvette...Trim assembly.......beige..............3839732
66 Corvette........Trim assembly.......beige..............3886856

So, we know, for sure, that something changed for the beige top for 66. We know it had nothing to do with the frame assembly because the same assembly was used for the other colors for 63-66. The difference had to be the trim. It's either the color of the exterior beige (darker for 66?) or the color of the interior/underside.

I don't think I've ever seen an original real honest to goodness 1966 GM beige top so until we do see one, we can only guess at the color of the underside.

[Peter L.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time & Info on 66-67 Tops

Michael - I've heard Al Knoch has a number of old used original convertible tops examples, perhaps someone can "kick his tire" for some intelligence on what he has/knows. Pete

[Curt C.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Michael, we touched on this subject once before. The top on my 64 327/365 triple tan car is tan on the inside, not black. Is there any chance that this top is original? Did anyone ever make a reproduction top with the tan inside configuration? As always, thanks for your help.

[John D.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

I owned two new 65 Corvettes. The 2nd one was a 250HP dead horse AC car with two tops. Had a beige top and a white interior. The interior of the beige top was definitely the tan/white like the 1500 mile car.

The next Corvette I owned was a 66 BB convertible with a black top. The top was black inside. JD

[Joel F.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Michael Murray is the '65 team lead and posts pretty regularly. I would expect an opinion from him once he sees this.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Michael Murray is the '65 team lead and posts pretty regularly. I would expect an opinion from him once he sees this.

Joel -- Has Dale Fiet relinquished his post as 1965 National Team Leader ?

[John D.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Joel -- Has Dale Fiet relinquished his post as 1965 National Team Leader ?

Yes he has. Look for the info in outcoming issues of "The Restorer".

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time & Info on 66-67 Tops

Michael - I've heard Al Knoch has a number of old used original convertible tops examples, perhaps someone can "kick his tire" for some intelligence on what he has/knows. Pete

Good idea Peter. I'll see if I can get some info from him.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Tan Top, One More Time

Michael, we touched on this subject once before. The top on my 64 327/365 triple tan car is tan on the inside, not black. Is there any chance that this top is original? Did anyone ever make a reproduction top with the tan inside configuration? As always, thanks for your help.

Curt,

I suppose the top could be an original. Also possible that it's an older non GM "top shop" replacement?
Does it have tan pads?