I bought a 97 WS6 Convertible last week and since it is almost 10 years old, the top has seen better days...

No holes, rips, tears etc., but just overall nasty looking and it is a bit loose from the top. The headliner is in great shape. The rear window, however, has become loose at some point and somebody has tried to glue it back and that looks quite nasty, too.

So..., what kind of cost am I looking at if I was wanting to replace the top? Of course it depends quite a lot of where I will take it, but I'd just like to get a general idea of the cost before I start calling the local shops.

TIA!

 

about $500-600, thats what it cost my mom to do her '95 z28, also my old '95 mustang was about that same price

 

I had mine replaced for $1000. Included the top, rear window piece, and the labor to do it.

 

Holy ****!!! Are you guys for real?

I just went to this one local shop and they quoted me $1725. I hear this place does a good job, but still... He said the top comes all pre-assembled so that the only thing they do is just remove the old one and install the new.

I guess I'll have to shop around a bit more.

 

Pre-Assembled??
Maybe their price included the metal frame? Normally, you buy just the cloth and window, then install that over the metal frame after removing the old cloth and window. How the heck do you pre-assemble a fabric cover?

 

That's what I was thinking, too, but didn't start to question the guy...

I did tell him that the headliner, mechanicals etc. are in good shape and don't need replacing.

 

Pre-assembled is a bit odd. They come cut long then the installer stretches and staples and does whatever they do to make it look like a finished product.

The price of $1000 I gave above was only for the top and rear piece. My frame and headliner and all that had no problems.

There are also different kinds of tops so make sure you get a quality one and not the "cheap" one.

When I was shopping around I was getting prices of around $1000 just for the top and rear window piece (in the good quality material) so I was happy to pay $1000 installed

 

The headliner and mechanism are both in good shape in my car, so there is no need for them. And that's what I told the guy, too. So...

I just need the top and rear window.

Need to do some more shopping.

 

Sorry to step into the thread but I do have a problem with the convertible top of my 94'Z. The windows are not lined up anymore so the nasty autumn weather in Switzerland causes wet rear seats The rubber doesn't touch the door windows for about 2 inches in the rear. Also I hear ratteling and cracking sounds on the left side just about after the drivers seat

Does anyone have a drawing or any helpful details on the mechanism and how to adjust it. Or any other site with useful information on the convertible top are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Roger, Switzerland

 

I would try searching around on Shoebox's site http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html

 

I just got a new top for my camaro and i baught everything from http://www.tops4less.com/convertible...t-camaro2.html . Great service and they have everything you need; top, rear window, headliner, pads, and cabels. I payed $500 CND to have it installed, it would have cost me over 2500 to buy it locally and have it installed, thats why i baught it off that site and i couldnt be happier. It looks like factory brand new now.

 

Hi,

I know this is really premature, but with a 30th anniversary white top, I've had a lot of concerns about how long it will last and look good. Is it worth buying the material to recover the frame now, in case it is tough to find in the future?

Thanks, Z~

 

The guy who owned my car previously had a new top installed. The fitment sucks and it won't go all the way down. It's in the general fbody fourm.

 

I don't think you have to worry about that. My dad had a new top put on his 71 cutlass last summer for about the same price as when I got a new one on my 97 formula. I think if it's that easy to get a top for a ~35 year old car that is a lot rarer than 4th gen f-bodies then we'll be fine for a while.