Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

[Peter R.]

At Corvettes at Carlisle this year I was fortunate to find a Plasticon hardtop for my '54 (I went there looking for one, but really didn't think I would find one). As I believe is often the case, it came with no latches (it did come with brackets to which the latches attach). So I've been doing my research and am fairly certain that the front latches are the same as used on the '53-55 soft tops (or Plasticon imitations thereof). But I haven't been able to learn what was used for the rear (side) latches. I think the back portion of the Plasticon hardtop is held down on both sides just aft of the door openings using latches that are, or look like soft top front latches. I've found two different letters on Plasticon letterhead (one provided by Roy Braatz about 13 years ago and one in Noland Adams' 1997 book, "Corvette--American Legend," Vol. 2); one letter says all that is needed to install the hardtop is to drill "a 9/32" hole just back of the door jamb on the inside of the car" and the other letter says to drill "a 5/16" hole in the brace behind each seat." What I would like to find out from someone who has a Plasticon top installed in the original manner, is:

1. What kind of latches are used for the rear/side attachment?

2. Exactly where are the holes to be drilled?

Pictures and measurements would be really helpful with the answers to both questions.

Thanks for any help.

[Gary H.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

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I have a Plasticon top as shown. You are correct that the front latches are the same as the '53-55 soft top. The back latches are the same only the arm is longer. It attaches (hooks) to the convertible top bracket.

[Peter R.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

Thank you, Gary, for the input. But I don't have any rear latches, pictures, drawings, or measurements, so I have nothing to go on in order to equip my top with proper rear latches. Could you provide any more details, maybe pictures, showing the latch and its attachment? It sounds like a pair of soft top front latches could be modified to work by lengthening the hook-shaped link (an expensive option given the current cost of soft top latches) or perhaps I could fabricate the entire rear latches (a more difficult option) or I could resort to the late Roy Braatz's strap method for the rear latches. I would prefer to use an attachment that looks like the original arrangement. I appreciate your help.

[Gary H.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

I'll get you some photos and some basic measurements.

[Gary H.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

BTW, the rear latches attach to the Plasticon button stud. Thats the attachment point.

[Peter R.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

I'll get you some photos and some basic measurements.

Thank you, Gary, that will be really helpful.

[Peter R.]

Re: Question for owners of Plasticon hardtop for '53-55 Corvette

I'm still hoping to get more details from a Plasticon hardtop owner about the original rear/side latches on Plasticon hardtops, i.e., what they look like, where they attach, measurements, photos, etc. And, if anyone has a spare set of these latches, I would be very interested.

Thanks.