T-top question
 

I bought an 81 TA with t tops. How can I tell if they are factory or aftermarket?

At first I thought factory but now I'm not sure. There is no painted metal between them on the roof.

Does it have 1 latch in the hatch or 2 one at each end?

Handle is in the middle.

2, one latch at each end.

No trim on the roof, roof is stamped not cut , what’s your glass code say?
Do you have the factory bags? They say fisher on them, date coded inside too

Post a pic, will be easy to identify.

Here’s what fisher trim looks like, just found these at a garage sale.
Best, look at your Build Sheet

This shows what each type of t tops looks like, pretty easy to identify them. But a pic of yours would determine for sure what they are.

https://www.hitmantransam.com/Pages/ttops.htm

Thanks for the link!

They are Cars and Concepts aftermarket.

Next question is I don't have keys for the T tops. My mechanic picked them open.

Any ideas on replacements? Or do I need to go to a locksmith?

If they are CnC there good luck finding parts. Would love to see pics though as I have not seen a pair with locks, but then again I havent seen a lot of them. If they do have a lock, I would imagine it would be a simple tumbler that a competent locksmith could re-key.

Hope this works.

I am pretty sure they are Cars n Concepts. I know a tiny bit about these but not enough to know if a lock was available. I think that is something that may have been added. Looks like it is drilled into the plastic cover. In the day it was not uncommon to have the tops stolen off of these cars. If these were mine I would eliminate the lock and fill the hole. Mine have a small sticker in the front outboard corner of the driver top that has the CnC logo. In the second picture it looks like you have one as well. Again parts are from scrap only, no way to get anything anywhere else. Hopefully the seals are good on yours.
Is there a sticker on the door jamb that says something to effect of 'this car has been modified by cars n concepts'?

I have done a bit of research on Cars and Concepts which is ongoing. Pontiac shipped the car to the Detroit area where CnC had a factory doing the roof conversions. They were then shipped to the dealers. I have confirmation from a reputable engineer that worked there, as well as have seen his personal pictures. Some say they were installed locally by the 'sunroof doctor' type of outfits but from what I have found I strongly disagree. Cars n Concepts was started and owned by Dick Chrysler who at one time vice president of Hurst. C n C bought Hurst.

The Bag for a C&C is harder to find, saw one at the Dustoff swap a few years ago.
Back I the day, a buddy bought a 1 year old Z28 with them in, his leaked and rattled bad. He never did resolve the issues.
If you can find a blank key, it’s possible to make keys,
Below is a print I found somewhere years ago

Interesting guys, thanks!

It does have a sticker in the door jam that the car has been modified, but where it probably said cars and concepts is blank. Probably just worn off. And yes each top has a small Cars and Concepts sticker, I should have mentioned that in my first post.

You might be right about removing the locks, may require some adjustment because one side the handle like to start to release. The locks hold them in place.

I do like the look of the glass all the way across.

Here’s a tag

You may be right on the locks being added. Took the trim off and looks added from the way its cut and ground to make the lock fit.

There is a little bit of adjustment that can be made so the latch will stay tight when closed.

I too like mine. I like the 'targa' look when they are in place. Then again my car is black so they kinda blend in. Most will poo poo about the looks of the frame when the tops are off, but it is not unlike a third gen car. These are very similar to what is on the third gens. I was going to get a set of bags for those to see if they would fit, I would bet they do.

I had to rig up the new door weatherstrip to meet up with the top frame trim weatherstrip. It is ok, but not great. On the to do list to try and make it better someday. Yes, with the settup I have they leak like a sieve!

Those are a period correct mod, I never mined them, I know one guys brother who got so much negative comments he sold his 79. Bought a cutlas, but I like louvers and side pipes on these cars. Next C&C bag I see, I’m going to snag them.

I'll try that.

Mine don't seem to leak.

Yea, the look off isn't as good off but oh well, still fun to drive with them out.

Thanks

I always tell my wife on stuff like that, at 160 MPH no one will notice!


:D

My 1978 C&C tops didn't come with locks, good idea tho. Mine were installed by Don's Upholstery in Memphis, TN.
Door jam sticker is there but blank. I had a local upholstery shop make leather bags with buttons on a closure flap.
Be careful when adjusting the front & rear hold down tabs so as not to crack the moldings.

Took out the locks today. Definitely added at some point the way the holes are drilled.