Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

[Chris E.]

I was just wondering what you guys thought. The car will be going to its first event this fall. I have the original black vinyl hard top for my 67. The car will also be getting a newly installed Al Knoch white soft top.

I'm wondering whether I should put the hard top on for judging or not.

The reason I'm asking is that I have read a lot online lately about the issues with soft tops. (e.g. fit, finish, vinyl pattern, clearance of the door glass,etc) My hard top is in pretty good shape, might get dinged a few points for condition on the weatherstripping, but overall it's in nice shape. And it is the one that has been on the car since 1973. It's been sitting in my dad's basement up in the rafters for probably half of the time from 1978 to today. Looking at it from the ground, it looks to be in pretty nice shape. I don't have any pictures of it right now, but I'm wondering what I should do. There aren't a lot of vinyl hardtop 67 convertibles out there. (1,966 of them originally)

Thoughts?

[Harry S.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Chris, either is OK, I'm sure you will get lot's of advice.

Here is something else to consider!! Over time the windows have probably been adjusted to fit the soft-top. Weather stripping etc. This is a result of the soft-top being able to flex. On the other-hand the hardtop is rigid and if you put it on the windows may not go up as easily or snug into the weatherstripping as evenly.

Saying that, if you are thinking of taking the hardtop, adjust the windows to the hardtop, then have the new soft-top installed to match the windows.

[Gary S.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

I thought I had read that, if you show up with the hardtop, it is judged along with the soft top. Am I wrong on this? If not, why take the chance that you will lose points?

[Tim E.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Chris - I looked back at my last 3 sets of judging sheets and the only deduction I ever received on the Al Knoch top that I installed myself was an originality point for some chalk markings on the inside fabric that I didn't get removed before the meet. I have not received any deductions for the areas commonly discussed here on the TDB....front weather seal diameter, fabric grain, and stitching & binding. Not to say there haven't been deductions for those items but hasn't happened to me in the last 2 regionals and a national.

My suggestion would be to do your own mock judging from a set of judging sheets with the help of some members from your local chapter and decide based on your results. In looking down the interior and exterior sheets, there are an equal number of items judged between the hard and soft tops.

From a judges standpoint, it's easier to view the cargo area, interior light, and the jack compartment & contents with the soft top up and not folded down and in the way. Tim

[Tim E.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Gary - Only one top is judged. If the car is presented with the hardtop, that one gets judged even though a softtop is likely folded away beneath it.

[John H.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

If it's a 2-top car presented with the hardtop in place, judges will check for presence of the soft top, but only the hardtop will be judged.

[Chris E.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Chris, either is OK, I'm sure you will get lot's of advice.

Here is something else to consider!! Over time the windows have probably been adjusted to fit the soft-top. Weather stripping etc. This is a result of the soft-top being able to flex. On the other-hand the hardtop is rigid and if you put it on the windows may not go up as easily or snug into the weatherstripping as evenly.

Saying that, if you are thinking of taking the hardtop, adjust the windows to the hardtop, then have the new soft-top installed to match the windows.

Harry, good advice. My car is still in pieces, so I will most likely do the "install the windows and adjust to the hardtop, then have the softtop installed" route.

I was just curious what people thought.

[Gary S.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Gary - Only one top is judged. If the car is presented with the hardtop, that one gets judged even though a softtop is likely folded away beneath it.

Thank you for the information. That is what I get for relying on memory.

[Jim C.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Chris,

I had my 1966 judged in 2007. I went with the hardtop installed, and that's the one that was judged. All the judges did was make sure the soft top was in the car. The soft top was not judged.

I wanted the hardtop judged because I know its original, plexiglass and all, whereas my soft top was replaced about twenty years ago. My soft top looks okay, and is in pretty good shape, but it's not original and I didn't want to give up the originally points.

If you do go with your hardtop, make absolutely sure you have it attached with the correct nuts and bolts, and also have the hardtop wrench (Vlchek 7/16" x 1/2") in your glove box. Good luck.

Jim C.

[Paul D.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Chris, I went through 3 judging events with the vinyl hard top on my '67. Received Duntov last year with Hard top. The judges look for the soft top along with the hard top if it is a 2 top car. Hardtop is judged only. IMO the hard top looks the best out all combos. The interior judge will look for the hard top wrench in the owners packet. Good luck with your judging...P...

[Chris E.]

Re: Judging a convertible, go with the soft top or hard top?

Thanks guys. I already bought a repop hardtop wrench because I don't have the original. It must not have come with the car when my dad bought it back in 1973. So I'll probably get an originality ding or two on the wrench, but I don't think the hardtop has ever been touched.

I'll check it out next time I'm over at dad's house.