1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

[Jim W.]

Questions - What is the best source (product manufacturer) to replace my convertible top....I've heard Al Knott convertible top products are not considered the best choice anymore. Any suggestions on where (Convertible Top Company) to get a new top. I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (Ocean Pines, MD). I'm also looking for suggested upholstery shops in my area that will work on my 1970 corvette (Eastern Shore MD, VA and/or DE).

[Alan S.]

Re: 1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

Hi Jim,
Are you a member of the Mason Dixon Chapter?
If you are, or even if you're not, I'd contact the Secretary (Ed Levine) and ask for a list of members from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. I'm pretty sure there are some. You might then contact them and ask for interior shop suggestions.
You might also contact the Eastern Shore Corvette Club and/or the First State Corvette Club and ask about shop suggestions.
I'm still under the impression that the top from Knock, while not perfect, is the most accurate available…. but that certainly could have changed.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

I don't remember your car but I remember the Chapter Meet in Dundalk. Boy, that's a pretty long time ago!

[Jim W.]

Re: 1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

Thanks Alan....much appreciated. Would like to make some Corvette connection on the Shore....we just moved here full time from Bowie, MD. The Chapter Meet at Dundalk was a long time ago and several cars ago. At that meet I had a 68 Conv, 427/400, Auto. The folks from Mason Dixon (judges) were kind to me and I received a Third Flight.

[Gary H.]

Re: 1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

Minimal deduction with Al's top at BG and NCRS national convention

[Bill L.]

Re: 1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

If you do go with the Al Knock top make sure you tell him you want the correct top that best meets original and hence NCRS standards.

I will be having my top done locally in Gaithersburg by Tony's Corvette or maybe by the shop below.

Marcell Munshaur. 1199 Old New Windsor Rd. New Windsor, MD 21776 (410) 857-9601. Convertible Top Installer Recommended by Al Knock. I realize these two are pretty far from you and hopefully someone else can chime in with an installer closer.

From what I have seen, too many installers pull the top too tight when they need to allow for a little shrinkage. Once that happens the top can become hard to latch. That is the case with the top on my 70 installed by the previous owner.

Below are some pics of an original top. I cannot remember for the life of me whose car the pics are from but he is an NCRS member.

70 Original top 1.jpg70 top 2.jpg70 top 3.jpg70 top 4.jpg70 top 5.jpg

Bill

[Paul S.]

Re: 1970 Convertible Top repair/replacement

TRY CAUFMAN CORVETTES . JUST GOT 2ND TOP BACK FROM THEM.( 2 DIFFERENT CARS) IF YOU SEND THEM YOUR BOWS , THEY HAVE CORVETTE BODIES TO MOUNT THE BOWS TO AND INSTALL THE TOP, THEY'LL SHIP IT BACK TO YOU AND YOU WILL HAVE TO MOUNT IT ON YOUR CAR ( 4 BOLTS) . THE 2 CARS I DID IT WORKED GREAT , PRICE WAS AS GOOD AS IF I HAD BOUGHT TOP AND HAD A LOCAL INSTALLER DO IT . ( LOCAL INSTALLER WENT ON A DRUNKIN' BINGE)

http://coffmancorvette.com/