Which ones are the best tops available? Needed for my 67 Skylark I've heard of Robbins, but not sure where to get them. Classic Buick appears to carry Acme tops for $299, pads $59 What brand does Year One carry? $270, pads $37 Others? Thx, Byas
The two best are Robbins and Electron. I like electron. I would get it from an authorized dealer that installs it. The cost is going to be in the price no matter what once you consider warranty.
Is there anyone who sells tops directly to owner? I'd like to install myself. I've installed tops in the past and am comfortable with doing it. But, have not found a source yet. Byas
The Electron tops are the best. There is a list of distributors listed on pages 110 and 111. http://www.electrontop.com/files/american.pdf
Tried those distributors -- they will not sell to individual customer - only to installation shops. So, still on the lookout for shops willing to sell directly to customer. Byas
I've been doing top research for a while, because while my top WAS new, the guy I bought it from left it down for YEARS and it's wrinkled + shrunken beyond repair. Ames sells KEE tops, it's a good brand and reasonable. Fusick sells ARO2000 tops, they are decent tops, I went and looked at one installed there. ARO2000 is the ONLY company I've found that makes a top like the originals. It's not the top Fusicks sells, it's a premium top, I think it's 3 layers with a layer of butyl rubber that nobody else uses now. It will run you close to 2X $$$. All replacement tops are thinner than originals, even though they say they are the same. That's why you can't run the windlace around the corners like they were originally. The new tops will rip there. Naturally, there are really cheap tops that are thin, too. There is also a factory in RI that manufactures tops. They will sell you EVERYTHING you need....staples, tack strips, glue an installation guide, whatever! If you Google convertible tops RI they should come up. I have an Electron top on my Mustang, they are a really nice top. There IS one place you can buy them from, but I forget who it is.
okay here you go... electron top with rear curtin and pads. $389.00 http://www.topsdown.com/1966-1967-C...c-rear-window-and-pads-Black-vinyl--p340.html Note: I see they have had some price increases . The '70 model w glass curtain had been $435 w free shipping is now $519. Plus ship DL
Rich makes some excellent points above! Right...the 3 layer top like the original with the butyl layer that I mentioned above. That's the "superweight" top from ARO and they are the only ones I know who make one. Because the top is thicker, it is harder to install. It doesn't stretch as easily or as much as the typical top. But it IS the closest to original I've seen available. Everybody claims to have the right, correct, original pattern. They all claim they have been around for a long time and supplied OEM tops. I could never figure out why the wire-on pieces are always short now! Also different makers use different wire-on material. I don't really know what was original. Some are smooth, some have grain, some are made from the same pinpoint material.
