Top Replacement

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by ssmock, May 12, 2020.

  1. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Been quoted about $2,200 for the top, rear window (plastic) well liner, cables and install. This is a manual top. I need to supply the weather strip kit and can save some money there if I want. What do you guys think of that price and which is a better seal kit, Soft Seal or Steel Rubber weather strip kit? Others? I know this will be a quality install and I want to keep it all original.
     
  2. Sky72lark

    Sky72lark Well-Known Member

    If you are keeping the car, go with a glass rear window. I used Soft Seal and was happy with it. Not sure about that price as mine was done 15 years ago. Seems a little high. I'd shop around some more.
     
  3. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Around here, New England, that seems about right. For KC, it seems high maybe. You definitely want new pads. What year lark is that? I have a pair of brand new I think they are Soff Seal pillar post seals I'll comp you if you can tell me what day of the week it is, because I can't just give them away! And pay the actual USPS pri shipping. I know they fit 67 vert, I'd have to check to see if they fit your car.
     
  4. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    If you want quality, buy an Electron top through an Electron dealer/installer.
     
    steve covington and mrolds69 like this.
  5. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    I just did my '72 Centurion last fall with a tinted/heated rear glass, all new cables/pads etc and I paid $1500. I consider that an excellent price, especially for a scissor top style vehicle with an Electron top. I used Steele Rubber and have found them superior to other weatherstrips.
     
    Briz, mrolds69 and philbquick like this.
  6. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

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    I live in Wichita. I went from a stock white top to a custom burgundy cloth top (vinyl rear window). They used my old top for the pattern. New pads, liner, header bow, cables and Steele weatherstripping. Ran just under $3K from a local shop.
     
  7. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Thanks, it's a 64 Special, that price includes the pads. All I have to buy is the weather-stripping. I replaced the pillar posts about two years ago they should be ok.
     
    mrolds69 likes this.
  8. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    The Soft Seal from OPG are about $75 cheaper and right now with free shipping. So good to hear that. I decided to go with the plastic window, one to keep it stock and the other because of size. The glass option window seems pretty small, hard enough to see with the top up as it is.
     
  9. FJM568

    FJM568 Well-Known Member

    Were you the one that I recommended Mike G (High Torque Racing) in Topeka to? Are they doing your top?
     
  10. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

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    Jim, Yes, we discussed about a year ago I guess. You told me about the guy who sent his Buick Special in from Washington State I believe. I had some issues come up and had to put it off. Mike told me to call Nick at his shop in Topeka as Nick runs the upholstery shop for him. His estimate was about $600 to $700 higher than he quoted originally. That's why I am asking around. My top is manual so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. There are a lot of shops out there but I need one to do a quality job and I want a quality Top. I do show the car at various events including Buick National and Regional shows. Unlike some others I do have the top down whenever I can, looks better with the top down I think. I did schedule a time for the install in June.
     
    FJM568 likes this.
  11. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    I paid $1000 about 15 years ago. It was a good price at the time. The fellow did quite a few tops before mine, or so he said. It took him a whole day and did a pretty good job on the top itself, but the vinyl window was way too tight, I never got around to trying to loosen it. I usually keep the window unzipped anyway and really like the breeze with the back open. When its too sunny, I put the top up and down quite a bit so it does show lots of wear. I always make sure the pads are tucked in correctly when I put it down, otherwise it gets bad creases. It's driven mostly with the top down, so I don't care much anymore about the wear or looks when its up. The top is starting to tear in the usual corners, but after all, it is a 15 year old ragtop. My top is white with lots of patina now. I hope to get another 10 years of use before it totally rips and needs replacement again. If I had paid premium price, I probably would be more concerned about the wear. I just converted from power to a manual top. I know that's weird, but it's so much faster (and reliable) to put up and down. A manual top shouldn't effect the cost at all. I'm not a fan of the real glass windows on the 64/65's.
     
  12. FJM568

    FJM568 Well-Known Member

    Nice looking car!

    Mike's a good guy to deal with and he and his guys know their stuff. His body shop did a frame-off on my Skylark and his upholstery shop did the complete interior.

    Maybe at some point at one of the local shows(if I could ever not have any scheduling conflicts with other stuff) we could meet up if this virus crap ever lets up.
     
    qak likes this.
  13. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    It is a great looking car, and Mike does good work, so you should be set. The only thing is now they often don't like to go out that 6" or so from the wind lace seam on top. They say it's more likely to tear, and it's true, because the vinyl is really thin now. I have a white Electron top on my black Mustang, I love the contrast. But white is really hard to keep clean.
     
    ssmock likes this.
  14. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the comments, always good to hear the positive about a shop. Yes, we should meet up sometime. I usually do some of the bigger shows, Ottawa, Turkey Creek etc. I am doing the Buick regional in St Louis in Sept. Our local Buick club does a show but not this year due to the Covid-19 issues. Hopefully it will let up soon.
     
  15. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Dropped the car off yesterday at Mike's upholstery shop. Supposed to be done by the end of the week. Thanks to all for your suggestions.
     
    FJM568 likes this.
  16. FJM568

    FJM568 Well-Known Member

    So, saw a pic on Mike's bookface page lol. Not on FB, just go there to look at the pics. How about some close-ups? Hope things went well.
     
  17. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    I'm paying $1,650 for an Electron canvas top with new pads and cables. Plastic window.
     
  18. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    Jim F
    I have to take the car back to Nick. I have a loose sail panel and a wavy back window. It wasn't like that when I picked it up. Something must have came loose. I hope I don't have any problems here. taking it back on Wed next week
     

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