[Firedup6975]

You'd think I'd know this LOLOL but I don't sooooo help please. I'm looking at a car without T Tops because I cannot find one with them, the way I want the car, with black interior and automatic. So would Hurst or Fisher be factory, or either one? I think the ones with Hurst tops were sent out to be done? and Fisher were in house? or was it the 78's that had either? One more thing, anyone from my area in Pennsylvania know of a shop that can install them like they were a factory install??? I'm VERY VERY VERY picky, and will only get it done if the shop is highly recommended. Thank you in advance!

[72projectbird]

For 77, Hurst hatches would be correct. Early 78's can have Hurst hatches, but most had the Fisher tops. The Hurst top were not installed by GM, but by Hurst themselves.

I have no idea on who can install them, sorry.

[GTOWAGON]

all you really need to install hurst hatches in a firebird is a sawzall and a screwdriver all they did when new is cut out the area and bolt in the top frame. you will want to put some subframe connectors in before you cut. the fisher tops are way better

[stags]

Hey MaryAnn - Happy (almost) New Year!! You might want to give Dennis Kirban a call. Local guy with more than a little Hurst experience. Might have some knowledge about this. Also his son does auto body paint and resto. I've seen some very nice work out of his shop. Good luck.

[NBF823]

Is alright if I play a little opposition here?

Its your car, so your the boss.

But;
The fisher units are nicer looking, but heres what happens; As the driver, with tops in, you dont know theyre there - theyre to far back to see anything. With them out, the wind buffets you in the back of the head.

They weaken the torsional ridgitiy, but if your not racing, it doesnt matter.

They leak when old, which is probably why you cant find one - most of the cars that had them probably wound up with no floors and got scrapped.

Its just my opinion so take it for what it is.
My dad, uncle, and sister love roof sections stuff; verts, t-tops, sunroofs, targas, where as I dislike them and would actually weld a roof on one if I had no recourse. I joke that they have parade personalities and want to be seen

Good luck in what ever you decide.

[Firedup6975]

It’s not the iconic bandit car if it don’t have t Tops. I found a car in my price range in Texas, but......... it doesn’t have t Tops. The car would not be raced. I have show cars. And my cars almost never see rain or a hose, unless I’m caught at a show and we have rain. It also won’t be an everyday driver.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by stags

Hey MaryAnn - Happy (almost) New Year!! You might want to give Dennis Kirban a call. Local guy with more than a little Hurst experience. Might have some knowledge about this. Also his son does auto body paint and resto. I've seen some very nice work out of his shop. Good luck.

Thank you Mark I didn’t even think about him. Haven’t heard his name in awhile, wasn’t sure he was still in the area. Happy New Year to you too.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by NBF823

Is alright if I play a little opposition here?

Its your car, so your the boss.

But;
The fisher units are nicer looking, but heres what happens; As the driver, with tops in, you dont know theyre there - theyre to far back to see anything. With them out, the wind buffets you in the back of the head.

They weaken the torsional ridgitiy, but if your not racing, it doesnt matter.

They leak when old, which is probably why you cant find one - most of the cars that had them probably wound up with no floors and got scrapped.

Its just my opinion so take it for what it is.
My dad, uncle, and sister love roof sections stuff; verts, t-tops, sunroofs, targas, where as I dislike them and would actually weld a roof on one if I had no recourse. I joke that they have parade personalities and want to be seen

Good luck in what ever you decide.

Thank you for your in put. I respect your choice, but The Bandit car is just something I must have. And it has to have t Tops. Or it’s not a bandit car to me.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by GTOWAGON

all you really need to install hurst hatches in a firebird is a sawzall and a screwdriver all they did when new is cut out the area and bolt in the top frame. you will want to put some subframe connectors in before you cut. the fisher tops are way better

We won’t do anything like this our selves. I want it perfect, that’s how I roll lol.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

For 77, Hurst hatches would be correct. Early 78's can have Hurst hatches, but most had the Fisher tops. The Hurst top were not installed by GM, but by Hurst themselves.

I have no idea on who can install them, sorry.

Thank you!

[bird72]

MaryAnn, as a tip, I would be looking in the inland northwest. I would scour CL Boise, Tri-Cities WA, Spokane, etc. These markets have many good survivor cars due to medium climate if they were cared for. Also, price craze is not what the big city car people get. I never could sell a vintage car in Montana for what east coast would get. Rent a truck and trailer and haul 'er home. They are out there. You are fishing in the new hottest pond, but you figured that out. You will pay for black. There was a black beauty (no T Top) here in MT a couple months ago all painted, redone. It was 12K which I thought was a steal. Your best value will be to paint a color car black, not equity, but look exactly same. There is a bigger pond of color T Top cars.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by bird72

MaryAnn, as a tip, I would be looking in the inland northwest. I would scour CL Boise, Tri-Cities WA, Spokane, etc. These markets have many good survivor cars due to medium climate if they were cared for. Also, price craze is not what the big city car people get. I never could sell a vintage car in Montana for what east coast would get. Rent a truck and trailer and haul 'er home. They are out there. You are fishing in the new hottest pond, but you figured that out. You will pay for black. There was a black beauty (no T Top) here in MT a couple months ago all painted, redone. It was 12K which I thought was a steal. Your best value will be to paint a color car black, not equity, but look exactly same. There is a bigger pond of color T Top cars.

Anthony I get that, and there’s an open market for non se ws6 versions out there pretty reasonable. In fact there’s a member here that is doing just that to what I refer to as a common 77 T/A. As we speak. He is “making” a bandit car and cutting in for t Tops. I’m watching for it, but in the mean time if I can find something I’ll check any tips. I do not want another project car, I’m over that. The more eyes out there the better! So if any members here hear or see one, please keep this car girl in mind. I don’t need it to be a “numbers matching” car, BUT....it must be able to fool the best true to “the Bnndit” as possible. I’ve had a wanted post here for a very long time and not many bites. Everyone tries to change my mind to a 79. I had one. With fisher t Tops. Just not my style. Thank you Anthony.

[NBF823]

Originally Posted by Firedup6975

It’s not the iconic bandit car if it don’t have t Tops. I found a car in my price range in Texas, but......... it doesn’t have t Tops. The car would not be raced. I have show cars. And my cars almost never see rain or a hose, unless I’m caught at a show and we have rain. It also won’t be an everyday driver.

Fair enough. Yea, wouldnt be a bandit without the tops.

[77 Canamman]

http://www.tacreationsusa.com/t-tops_and_glass.htm

http://www.firebirdtransamparts.com/...ops/recall.htm

http://www.firebirdtransamparts.com/...tops/hurst.htm

http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/

[Firedup6975]

Very cool! But you could help me out better by letting your bandit car go. lol. Hey thank you for that info.

[77 Canamman]

Ha! I will let it go if I have another to immediately replace it.

Also, it is 4 speed.

Don't rule out a 1976 T/A, since that is what the original "1977" movie cars were. It would make it somewhat easy to make a great, authentic clone, since you wouldn't have to switch out the seat material, tachometer, door panels, and other 1976 parts. The front bumper, shakers, and hoods are easy to find.

[77 Canamman]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Pontia...9aMaql&vxp=mtr

[77 Canamman]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Pontia...p2047675.l2557

[GT182]

I know you want T-tops Maryann but here's a little story from the dealer in Rouses Point, NY where I bought my 79 Formula, and it's not intended to get you to change your mind. Mine was a daily driver and back then show cars weren't too numerous up there in Northern NY. If they were it was the cars from the 50s and 60s on back.

When I ordered my Formula in October of 79 I really wanted T-tops. But when I sat down to order it and mentioned them he said,... "I won't talk you out of getting them if you really want T-tops. But, just so you know, they will more than likely leak. GM is having problems and can't seem to find a solution. All the T-top Firebirds back to when they started installing them have this nagging problem. Hurst T-tops too. But... some do and some don't leak. It's a crap shoot if you'll be lucky or not." So I said no. I even asked at a few dealers I delivered Pontiacs to and they basicly said the same thing. I've seen a lot of 'Birds over the years and knew many that had T-tops. Some had no problems and other wished they didn't have them. Those that wished they didn't ended up sealing them with Vaseline to keep out the rain and snow melt, or they just sold them... problem fixed. LOL

I hope you find that TA MaryAnn. I know it'll look great.... just like your 69 convertible does.

[dhcarguy]

Maryann, Have you looked at "Cars-on-line"? There are quite a few candidates of 76' and 77's TA's
Click on "pontiac" and scroll down.

Dave