How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

[Chad E.]

Hello!

I just bought my first vette and got an early 1971 convertible (# 687). I love it, and cant wait to take the hardtop off. However I can't seem to figure out exactly how to do this. It has a soft top as well that is folded down behind the seats and makes it difficult to get to and see what's holding on the hardtop. From reading the Operators Manual it sounds like there are 8 attachement points; 3 latches up front (found those), 2 at the lower front corners (found those), and 3 on the back deck lid. On my hardtop it seems like their are only 2 on the back decklid; one on each side (maybe its an aftermarket hardtop?). One side seems to be coming up just fine but the other one is definitely being held on by something. Like I said hard to see with the soft top under the deck lid and in the way.

I understand their is somekind of special wrench, but it did not come with my vette. Is it specially designed for this situation?

Any help and any pictures would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks!
Chad Eby (50439)

[Tom H.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

Chad, if you have a couple of buddies handy, raise the convertible top lid "deck" with the hardtop on it. You should be able to find what's holding you up then ! Just have your friends hang onto the top and help support the deck.

Should be a simple job unless bubba has fastened it a "special" way !!

[Jim T.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

Hello!

I just bought my first vette and got an early 1971 convertible (# 687). I love it, and cant wait to take the hardtop off. However I can't seem to figure out exactly how to do this. It has a soft top as well that is folded down behind the seats and makes it difficult to get to and see what's holding on the hardtop. From reading the Operators Manual it sounds like there are 8 attachement points; 3 latches up front (found those), 2 at the lower front corners (found those), and 3 on the back deck lid. On my hardtop it seems like their are only 2 on the back decklid; one on each side (maybe its an aftermarket hardtop?). One side seems to be coming up just fine but the other one is definitely being held on by something. Like I said hard to see with the soft top under the deck lid and in the way.

I understand their is somekind of special wrench, but it did not come with my vette. Is it specially designed for this situation?

Any help and any pictures would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks!
Chad Eby (50439)

Chad there is nothing special about the wrench supplied from the factory. It was simply a open end wrench. A open end wrench from your tool box that will fit can become your special wrench.
This year there was discussion about the "special wrench" from the factory. Some pictures were posted. You might be abe to find the posts in the archives.
My 68 convertible has only 7 attaching points. My 70 coupe's owners manual says 8 for 1970.

[Robert S.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

I have a 74' convertible with the hardtop which should be the same. There are the three attachments at the windshield header, the two shortl chrome bolts at the side corners and the three along the rear deck. The three along the rear deck are studs which stick down from the hardtop through holes in the rear deck and are retained underneath by nuts and washers (special shaped washers at the two outboard locations although these special washers are often lost so you may find just plain washers). The three along the rear deck - one is located at the center and the other two are located at the outboard edges. You should be able to reach in and feel the studs and washers/nuts.

[Harmon C.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

If the hardtop was added and not factory installed the center bolt in the rear deck is not added many times so you would have no center bolt.

[Keith L.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

So was 70 the first year for the center bolt in the rear?

[Chad E.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

Hey Tom!

That worked perfectly. I now have my hardtop off and am driving the convertible the way it is supposed to be!!

Thanks!
Chad

[Chad E.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

My rear decklid does not have the bolts in the lower front corners for the hardtop to attach to, and the hardtop only has 2 bolts on the back edge (no center bolt). I'm betting it was an aftermarket hardtop.

Thanks for everyone's help!
Chad

[Mike E.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

There's a difference between an aftermarket hardtop and a factory hardtop added later on. My guess is that you have a factor hardtop that originally came on another car and was sold to the owner of your car.

[Tom H.]

Re: How do I remove the hardtop on my 71 convertible?

Hey Tom!

That worked perfectly. I now have my hardtop off and am driving the convertible the way it is supposed to be!!

Thanks!
Chad

Glad to be of service !!!