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  3. The "Group Buy" for the 1967-68 Deluxe Steering wheel recasting is now officially "Open". Now is the time to start sending in the wheels. The latest date that the wheels must be received by Kochs is 31 March 2025 The cost for each wheel is $750. The only "up front cost" is your shipping the wheel. If you send in more than one wheel, each additional wheel will cost $700. Shipping and insurance to Kochs and return shipping will be extra. You will be contacted by Teresa to make payment for the wheel(s) and return shipping and insurance when your wheel(s) is complete. The shipping will be factored on your delivery address and insurance. I will be sending the contact information all of you have sent me to Teresa at Kochs. Send in your wheels, horn pad and hardware and paint color sample if applicable. Please include: First and Last Name Shipping Address Phone number email address V8Buick "Member Name" Wheel Color (SEE THE BOTTOM FOR WHEEL COLOR) Pease read the "shipping to Kochs" below. There are two addresses. One for USPS Mailing One for FedEx and UPS shipping You can use USPS/Mail, UPS or FedEx to send in your core. Use the appropriate address depending on what service you use to ship. If you use USPS/Mail ship to: Koch's P.O. Box 959 Acton, CA 93510 Attn: Teresa If you use UPS or FedEx ship to: Koch's 7650 Soledad Canyon Road Acton CA 93510 Attn: Teresa Kochs Contact: Teresa (661) 268-1341 customerservice@kochs.com Wheel Color If you wheel is Black, you can list that in your information you send in with your wheel. For colored wheels, please contact Teresa about specifics for wheel color if you do not send in a color sample to match. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you to everyone for your participation in making this a reality. And "Thank You" Jim Weise, for allowing and facilitating this project! Michael .................... to remove this notice, click the X in the upper RH corner of this message box
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Manual Top Convertible

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by 6455spd, Mar 25, 2020.

  1. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    I just swapped out my convertible hydro-electric power top for a manual spring system. I know this is usually done in the opposite direction but I like the manual better as it is more reliable, no possible fluid leaks, much faster to operate, and lighter. The plastic hold down clips were rotten, and are only used on the manual tops to keep the top secured. I'm surprised to find nobody makes these clips for GM A-bodies, so a re-pop 65 Mustang set were used. I considered 3D printing the clips and even I made a CAD model to do so, but figured the injection molded mustang part will be more durable, plus they looks nice in black. The manual top is a great system, its as easy to open as a hood, and the springs both compress and expand during its full cycle.
    Anybody out there have a manual top?
    20200322_193656.jpg 20200322_193624.jpg convt clip.jpg
     
    wkillgs and tubecatgs like this.
  2. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Very cool. I have never seen a manual reveled before.
     
  3. ssmock

    ssmock Well-Known Member

    I have a 64 manual top. Never had the back seat out of it. I guess it's the same set up.
     
  4. gsconv

    gsconv BPG# 1603

    Dad's(Mom's), 1967 Camaro RS Convertible has manual top hold down latches that are readily available.
     
    Tewanna likes this.
  5. Rapdron

    Rapdron Member

    This 65 Skylark I just bought has had the pump motor removed, not sure how they did it.
    Cost wise right now I plan on leaving it this way until winter. I want to drive it for the summer.
    I've been looking for this model convertible since I'd sold my first one in the early 70's ,
    but getting married, having kids, paying for college and weddings got in the way.
    It's delivery date is this Wednesday, July 17th, so I'm excited to drive it.
    6455spd, Where did you get the kit to do this just in case mine isn't done correctly?
    Thank you
    Ron
     
  6. 2dtrak

    2dtrak Gold Level Contributor

    I have considering making my 70 a manual top. As u said everywhere I’ve looked was told it’s generally the opposite manual to power conversion. I plan on not driving this car very often and considered the manual system more trouble free. With the lift cylinders detached I can pretty easily open the top by myself so was wondering if it was possible to run it this way without the manual assist springs etc.
     
  7. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    I like the manual top much better. The 64-67 manual springs to the hydraulic cylinders are interchangeable. I read somewhere the manual 68-72 top frames might be slightly different, but i don't know if that is true. The manual springs require hold down clips to position the frame in a supported position when the top is down. The springs like to rest the top about 6 inches above the clips in its relaxed position causing me to slightly push down to engage the clips. I fear without the springs and clips, when the top is down, it will put more pressure on the fabric or whatever it finds to rest against. I could not find the clips as a repo so i made the repo 65 mustang clips work.
     
    2dtrak likes this.
  8. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    I posted in the parts wanted section here on V8BUICK and la 65 gs (Loren) sold me a set of springs and clips. I kept my slightly leaky cylinders and pump incase I ever change my mind and go back to a power top.
     
  9. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    Unfortunately the Camaro manual top clips are quite different than the Chevelle's (or Skylarks)
     

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