[The Champ]

After 30 plus years with the new top I put on during the restoration, I am looking to get a new top.

Will be going with a black top this time as after seeing the 'correct' as built white top on a Cameo Ivory paint job, I never liked the two different 'whites'.

Any suggestions on who to buy the top from (our host Ames is definitely on my list) for quality? I'm not so concerned on being 100% 'correct', but am willing to spend a little more if the quality is there.

I will be having this professionally installed.

Thinking that new weatherstripping is needed too - when driven in rain (not very often, but rain happens) - I do get a leak in the center of the windshield.

Any other suggestion are welcome.

[bbnotop]

I just purchased a top from Ames. It is manufactured by Kee. Haven't installed it yet but Kee generally get good reviews. I did the kit with the pads and rear plastic window, price was fairly close to what is out there.

[bill ryder]

I've used Robbins tops for the last 40+ years. If you have an install question, call Doug Robbins. He will answer the phone...

"Bill"!

[The Champ]

Thanks bbnotop and Bill!

I found it strange that it took a week to get a response....

Just got a quote from the local installer - $2700 for the top and labor. Don't know where he sources the top yet. He doesn't speak very good English but I've had him recover a chair for me before and he did excellent work. He's the only one I've been able to find in the greater Rochester, MN area to install a convertible top.

Is $2700 complete in the ball park, or should I be checking out a convertible top installer in the Mpls/St. Paul area?

[bbnotop]

I have purchased the top, pads, rear window and cables for just under $800. I am talking to a shop for installation and hope to get a ball park estimate tomorrow. I will let you know, but from what I am learning, that price sounds like in the ball park. I have also found that a lot of upolstery shops don't do vintage convertible tops. Their reasoning; tough to do and a lot of returns for issues.

[bbnotop]

Hey Champ, got the estimate today. $1,500 for the install and I purchased all the materials for about $800, so all in about $2,300. Unfortunately the shop is booked out a few months. But as I always say, you don't want to hire a professional that isn't busy. Hope your top, and mine, turns out great. Steve

[Singleton]

Had my top installed for $400 four years ago by an upholstery shop in nearby Pensacola. I bought the top (Kee) thru Ames along with the pads, seals and cables. Had to wait nearly six months for the top because I wanted a pure white material, (special color).

[bbnotop]

Looks like you got a great deal on the top instalation. And you have a beautiful 64. Congrats.