The cost is about what I said, and what I would pay here. I'm glad you are happy with it. If you take care of it, you will never need another. Leave it up for a while. Learn how to retract it part way, and pull the sides out where the hinges are if you want it to last a long time. GM recommended that years ago, but nobody does it. Do not leave it down for long periods of time, like a week or days sitting in your garage. Still can't figure out how they get done so cheap in "Oz". I know it's a racket to make bucks, but usually nobody will do it cheap.
mrolds69, Thanks for the information. I have never heard about "retract it part way, and pull the sides out where the hinges are". Is this in the Fisher Body book or where can I learn about this technique. The shop said to leave it up for 2 weeks before taking it down and also said never leave it down for a long time. Not a problem for me, I think they look great with the top up. Rich
Yup, what Richard said is all true. At one time 'verts came with a separate small booklet with the Owner's Manual explaining all this. Then around 1969 I think...maybe a bit later, thay moved that info into the Fisher book. You have to be pretty old to know that stuff. My 1st car was a 1965 GTO 'vert I bought in...1969, it had a new top. I would just put it up + down and didn't know that stuff. When you see 'verts like on ebay with those ripple marks behind the rr qtr windows, that's from being left down and jammed between the hinges. Oh...one more thing...never let peeps sit on the top like for a parade. That can mess up the frame big time. Some cars had hard parade boots, you could make one from plywood and cover it if you must do that.
"Learn how to retract it part way, and pull the sides out where the hinges are if you want it to last a long time." I have a 1972 Fisher body manual and was not able to find anything about the proper way to put the top down. I need to learn about this. I was really happy when I got my top on and there were no wrinkles and am concerned about how to keep it this way. I was concerned about having ripple marks behind the rear window. I have seen this on some real nice looking convertibles. I guess in week or so when I take the top down I can try to figure this out. Thanks a lot for pointing this out. This is my first convertible and I hope to keep it looking good. Rich
I found the instruction on how to lower the top correctly in the small owners manual that comes with a new car. I have one for a 1970 Chevelle and it explains it. I still don't quite get it but I am sure I will once I try it on my own car. I never would have noticed this with out your post. Thanks.
Rich, glad you found the info! Like I said, you have to be pretty old to remember that. 'Verts are great, but they are different animals. Never put it down wet from morning dew or rain. Other things to know are that when the top is down, car is not moving, rugs will fade fast, dash will crack fast, speaker will dry out, woodgrain, hard plastic like vent panels, and dash needles can fade, etc. Not in hours...but if you want to keep your interior AND top nice, close it when parked. Also, it can rain anytime, predicted or not. If you don't use the boot, the INSIDE of the top and pads will fade over time when it's down . Get a good cleaner and protectant, that's REALLY important for a white or light top. Raggtop is the only one recommended, I think, by the company that makes the material. You can put it down, you don't need to absolutely use the boot each time, but you have to use a bit of common sense.
I am not sure I know how to scan and attach here. But if I can't figure it out maybe I can e-mail it to you or some one who knows how. I can scan it at work this week. Thanks for all the tips on the care of a convertible. I enjoy the car with the top up as much as I do with it down. I think it looks great with the top up. My car lives in the garage and is never left out side except when on a trip or out for a show. I do not have a boot for it and I guess that will be my next purchase.
RedmanF1- I sent you a message with an attachment on the convertible. This is from a 1970 Chevelle owners manual you would have found in a glove box way back when.
Redmanf1, sorry - haven't been on here for a few days. I just sent you the e-mail again. It is upside down so you need to print I guess and flip it around. Also I see you sent me a message on here. I have never checked it before. I have a couple of messages 2 years old. I guess I need to pay a little more attention. Let me know if it comes through to you.
Yup, that's what I was talking about. It prevents the top from getting pinch marks or torn behind the qtr windows. Helps the top settle into the boot well better and makes it easier to put on the boot. It's a lost art..........
Great, thanks for putting it up here. Thanks everyone for all the information. Looking forward to keeping my new top looking new.
