I'm looking at a 70 Buick Convertible. I saw a new top runs $3-400. Whats an estimate of installation? Never had a Convertible before --about time.
About 600.-1200. labor + parts?. Depends who does it, if it needs pads, cables, well liner, etc. Maybe less in your area.
Buy a premium top which would be a Robbins or an Electron. Find out who is an authorized distributor locally. Get that person to buy the top wholesale and do the install. I cannot imagine the price you state is correct if you do all that is needed. Out the door I suspect it will be at least $1500.00.
Oh...absolutely, I agree! I was talking about 6-1200. OVER the cost of the top for labor and whatever other parts are needed. 1500.-2000. altogether. I agree it's better to find an Electron installer to buy from + install. Most top guys only use what they like, they make a few $ on the top, and then there is the warranty issue, also.
Book is 10hrs , a skilled guy can do it faster . So $60-$120 An Hour sounds like Lawyer pay to me . $350ish labor is plenty reasonable. DL
I just bought a nice 91 Mustang GT convertible that needs a new top. A new top was provided with the car. The owner said he had checked a couple of shops in the Grand Rapids Michigan area and they told him $400.00 labor if he provided the top. I haven't checked in my area so I don't know but his quote sounds reasonable. Good Luck, Mike D.
i had my GS estimated a few months ago. Quality Top with labor $800. The rear glass and small fabric piece below was another $400. Add $150 for the well liner. This is a shop that specializes in interior work
I just got 2 qoutes today from shops that are listed on the Robbins web site as recommended installation shops. One was for $2363.00 Robbins top with glass rear window, new well and new pads and also new rubber seals on the frame where the windows meet the top. $960 was the labor, The second shop quoted $1580.00 for the same top minus the rubber seals but they said they would install those for free if I supplied the seals. The labor on this shop was only $600. Both shops said my cables were fine and did not need to be replaced. Both shops have been around a long time so I think I have to go with the lower price. Both are using Robbins tops. 1971 Skylark.
Rifo/Rich. Where are you located in Ca?? What shops, I have a 70 Cutlass convert that needs a new top. Gary G in Escondido.
Badbuik, I am about 25 miles north east of of Sacramento. The lower priced shop is in Roseville Cal. Bob's Auto upholstery. Sorry , it is quite a ways from Oxnard. Any one have advise on where to buy the rubber seals for the top that are over the windows? This shop said they have to remove them to put on the new top and will not charge me if I supply the rubber seals. Best brand to buy?
Seals just screw in easy to replace , just don't drop the small screws .. PS only Legendary makes the correct style well liner . Its not exact to OE , but at least dosen 't look like a black trash bag .. It is a bit more expensive however. DL
I decided to have the white top of the Wildcat replaced with something else while it's getting repainted. So, I'm getting a custom made cloth top (burgundy) that will come with new tack strips, new pads, a new well liner (matching color) and installation for just under $2K. That's a quoted price, not an estimate.
I ordered Metro Soft Seal rubber seals from Amazon (They do sell everything) and should get them this week. After I receive these I am going to the top shop and lay down the money to order the new top. Hopefully I will have a new top in place by the end of February. $1580 was a quoted price also. I got the seals for $158.00 plus shipping. So I am hoping I can have it all done for $1750 or close to it.
This is not a bad deal... $165 shipped for seven pieces... http://www.ebay.com/itm/68-72-GM-A-...its=Model:Skylark&hash=item4d0af90ab7&vxp=mtr
If you're handy enough, do it yourself. I'm finishing mine today and I've never even watched one being installed. Worse yet, when I started the project 3 years ago, the top wasn't even on it. The full interior kit from opgi came with a new one but I've been scared to do it. Local shops get 500+ to put it on. Said and done, I'll have about 6 hours in it. And I'm proud of the result and myself for tackling it.
You guys that get theses done for $300-$500 are living in OZ. Try getting anything done for that cheap up here in the great white North. Not happening.
I dropped my car off yesterday to have the top done. I stopped by today and they had the old one half off. they said it all looks good and the frame is in great shape. It should be done tomorrow or Thursday. I need to brush up on my picture posting and put a picture up here when done.
I just go my car back from the upholstery shop. It was in the shop for 4 days. I was very happy with the way it came out. Not wrinkled and just looks wonderful. $1580.00 was my total cost plus $175.00 for all new rubber on the top. I have been leaving it out in the sun this weekend as per my instructions. I hope to get some pictures up to show it.
