What is the best convertible top that you guys have had experiance with, with fit and everything.

Thanks

 

Stay away from anything made of vinyl.

 

Thanks, I like the look of canvas. I was thinking about the Stayfast top with the glass window. It looks nice.

 

Glass window? when the top folds down, the window folds in half. I don't think you could use a glass one.

 

I spoke to someone about that and he said that the window will fold after a couple of times... the cloth has to get used to folding that way or something...

 

Nothing beats the OE GM ASC-produced tops for fit and quality. Hank, 813 920-7544 still has a few left...

 

Need mine before knee deep in snow... Are they interchangeable between Camaro and Firebirds? I'm pretty sure they are, but want to ask up front
Even in the old shot below, you can see the wear on my top even when I bought the car!

BILL S.

 

i've done quite a bit of research into this and have come up with not too many definative answers. First, you should know that Twillfast, Stayfast, and Sunfast are all the same thing material wise. Vinyl is cheaper and will get your car covered, but is cheaper and will not last long. Plus, the stayfast tops look better.


Also, glass rear windows are available and yes they do work just fine. GLass is better for security reasons and you won't have to worry about the horrible staining/fading/ scrratching that comes along with owning a mylar rear window. Of course, you could also just apply cleaner/wax to your rear convertable window and keep it nice looking for years too. BUt its your choice.

I have emailed several different companies. Some told me "oh, you have a 91 camaro convert. I have your top and here are the dimensions X,X,X." But when I measured the dimensions on the top on my car (i.e rear bow, length of lower plastic window sill), the measurements do not jive.

Some companies say, they can match the correct top to your production date. Others say that the former can't be done, and you must choose your top soley based on the aforementioned dimension measurements.

SO, frustrated as I was, I called around the phone book looking for companies that dealt w/ top replacement etc. Sure, you can order the top online and do it yourself, but most tops are made to order, and if it does not fit you are screwed because you can't return it. Second, its quite a process to replace tops (staples and tape...yikes). As yet, the lowest price I have found on a top is around 375-400. HIghest (w/glass window) is around 750-800.

Now, with that said, 7 out of 10 companies wanted $800-$1000 to do the job (this included the price of the top plus labor/supplies). I found a couple in the $600-700 range and one who'd do it all for $475. The prices for the actual top itself were all the same (@$450). And labor varied from $200-500.

This is a little more expensive BUT, the work is warranted, you don't have to worry about ordering the correct top (they will find one that fits for sure), and you don't have to worry about doing a sloppy job by doing the work yourself.

So, to conclude, I recommend you just call around the shops in your area and try to find someone in between the most expensive and the cheapest. And also try to make sure the shop has a good reputation (call the BBB). Maybe ask a few mechanics who they recommend. Anyway, I think this is the easiest way to go and surest way to get a top that fits, is good quality, and is installed with good craftsmanship.

-Matt

 

I wasn't told of a compatibility issue with regard to the top I need to replace, but can supply pics of it to aid in getting the type I have and need. I was given a price of $200 w/o weather stripping, for the top and you then put the pieces on. The local shop (3rd party) will install the tops in the winter for $100 less, or $525 versus $625 when they're busy during warmer weather

BILL

 

Wow...who are you buying the top from?? Online or from a shop?

I prob could not tell by the picture; I do know that the measurements across the rear bow, from the top of the driver window at the rear curve straight across to the passenger window is one measure, along with the length of the lower sill of the plastic window:: These two measurments were changed in 91,92.

My prob is that my top ('91) has the dimensions of 87-90 top. I think that because my car was finished in 03/91 that a left over top from 90 was installed on my car. But its confusing because no one can definatively tell me.

Installed for 100$??!!! thats incredible. Not like that here in Texas for some reason. Guess I need to shop around some more.

But please let me know where you got your $200 top from.

thanks

 

There is nothing wrong with vinyl so long as you take care of it.

 

How the hell would a glass window work??

 

It use to be, with the older convertible (ie, caddies, etc)the glass window was a two piece unit, that would fold in half. Unless this new fangled top has a smaller back window as compared to the plastics. That would fit into the compartment, but I would perfer a full size that would fold in half.

 

Anyone have a link to a site that sells replacement tops w/glass rear window? Seems like a hard to find item.

 

Can't have them for our cars, the window folds in the middle!

 

Actually, I've found one site called www.shadetreeonline.com that carries them... the part number is WT150 (glass top is specified under that part number in the 'Camaro' search, but not in the 'Firebird' search. Nonetheless, it's the same part number...) It's also pretty pricey @ $671.00!!!

 

Someone posted this pic of a thirdgen with a glass window, not sure where they got it from though.

 

another

 

Not fair!! I wish I could have one, I hate that stupid plastic window.

 

me wantz....

 

PLASTIC SUCKS (Fades, yellows, can't tint, etc)! Look, that glass one in the picture even has a defroster!

 

Yeah, I was just going to comment about that defroster... that rules! I wonder how it was to wire? I have a link somewhere to a company that sells the glass top, lemme see if I can find it. Zedder, where did you find that pic.? I would absolutely sacrifice the larger window area for a glass one, especially if it had a defroster!

 

Plastic is not the best, true. But you can keep it nice for as long as the top lasts with some cleaner wax.

 

drop- top IROC, I pulled those pictures off of a post on this board, I cant remeber how long ago, but a memeber posted a link to this guys webpage. I believe the post was about convertible tops so perhaps a search would yield some results.

 

www.topsonline.com Very cheap, and very helpfull.

 

Stayfast Canvas & Glass window for $350!? Doesn't say if it has the defroster, but it does say you have to unzip window before lowering top. I've never replaced the top on mine before, but I have had to replace the rear window on it . Everytime I would polish/wax the car (Which used to be at least twice a month) I would also do the rear window. Also tried that plastic cleaner Meguires sells, it would help for a few days, but eventually turn back yellow. While the rear window was being replaced I had the guy redo all the edges. Top should be good for another few years as the Iroc gets less than 1000 miles a year now....