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New users Registered with a gmail address Attention All new Users 67-68 Deluxe Steering wheel recast Group buy

Getting a new top, questions.

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by Sky72lark, Jun 23, 2005.

  1. Sky72lark

    Sky72lark Well-Known Member

    Hey Guys , it's time for me to replace my top and I got an estimate today.
    $900 for white glass window top & labor + I buy the 7 piece weather strip kit. Pricey, I know, but the trim shop is the best in town, or so I've heard for the past 25 years.(Calmari Trim on N. Broad in the hood). I don't have the time, tools or ability to attempt this on my own, and I'm willing to pay to get it done right. I am thinking of getting the weather strip kit from OPG. It is $159 compared to Year One at like $215. Anyone have any thoughts on if I should try to go cheaper with OPG or get the Year One kit?
    Thanks in advance!
     
    Sky72lark, Jun 23, 2005
    #1
  2. my3buicks

    my3buicks Guest

    Steele Rubber

    Dave, you might want to check out "Steele Rubber" company for your weather kit. They are regarded as the best in the industry. It usually doesn't pay in the long run to save a few bucks now. You can probably find a set other than Year One though for less money and equal or better quality.
     
    my3buicks, Jun 24, 2005
    #2
  3. Truzi

    Truzi Perpetual Student

    Wow, that's a lot of money.

    Do you drive it year round? If so, see if they can get you a top with rear glass window that has a defog. If they say its not original (and its not a show car) say fine. Then wire in a switch.

    If you drive it in the winter, you'll appreciate it.
     
    Truzi, Jun 24, 2005
    #3
  4. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    Are both kits made by the same manufacturer? that's question #1 you need to have answered
     
    462CID, Jun 27, 2005
    #4
  5. Sky72lark

    Sky72lark Well-Known Member

    OPG makes there own according to the new catalog. Got the YO price off their website.
    Just wondering if anyone has ordered these kits from either of these suppliers and if they were any issues that arose from poor fit, etc.
    Thanks again
     
    Sky72lark, Jun 27, 2005
    #5
  6. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    I'm sure OPG has a manufacturing contract with another company


    I have bought (and installed) two tops with glass windows from Year One. The first one I did in '91 or '92, I forget. For a first try, it wasn't bad.

    The second one was in '98 I beleive. The top was fine, but it got hit by a baseball and it ripped out some staples making the top loose, so I replaced it. Much better fit and finish this time, but that was because I knew what I was doing that time

    Both times the tops had zero fit problems- mostly because the top you get is going to be too large anyway, and you must staple them into place correctly on your own- there's no grommets or reinforced areas to line up- it's staple and go, and the bar you staple to will not even be in the car. Kinda scary at first. Usually, you try to place the old top on the new top and mark the area you'll need to staple. If there's a fit issue, it's the installer's fault 999 times out of a thousand if you ask me.

    Both tops from YO were very nice, tough, and durable. My car's a driver and sees daily duty so I think I'm a good judge of what "abuse" means and may car endures it :laugh:

    One interesting thing about the tops, though- the quality of the top pads are going to dictate the overall quality of the top installation's fit, function, and longevity in my opinion.

    Proper good quality pads, placed correctly are key. The tops are prone to ripping over the rear quarter windows, and it's because of the pads.

    I always always always stop lowring the top about halfway down, and make sure the pads are in place so the top frame won't scissors the top material. Often I need to tug the pads into the right position
     
    462CID, Jun 29, 2005
    #6
  7. sjb89

    sjb89 Silver Level contributor

    I just tried to install the rubbers from YEAR ONE. JUNK!!! Don't buy them. They are the lowest quality made. It would be easier to get cinder blocks, paint them black, and glue them to the top frame! They don't fit, you have to open up every mounting hole, and they are so rigid, you can't get to the screws to install them. I called and asked what manufacturer they sold, and i was told, "we can not disclose that information" . The header seal is made totally wrong. Some clips are too close together, others you have to stretch. When you stretch it, IT RIPS. TRASH! They deal in low grade parts. Everything i bought from them was a problem. I ended up having to buy another kit , Not from them.
     
    sjb89, Sep 26, 2012
    #7
  8. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    This thread is 7 years old.:Smarty:
     
    flynbuick, Sep 26, 2012
    #8
  9. DugsSin

    DugsSin Well-Known Member

    Wonder if OP got a new top and how it's holding up?
     
    DugsSin, Sep 26, 2012
    #9
  10. sjb89

    sjb89 Silver Level contributor

    Then why did it pop up today like a new thread on the rag top section this morning ? I thought if something was on the front page, it was a current discussion.
     
    sjb89, Sep 26, 2012
    #10

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