Had the top replaced on the 66 Cat few months back. Shop said it would relax in time. Being my fist convertible I thought it was normal to have to fight to get the top latched. Bought the 70 Electra convertible. and it had a new top on it but had been in the open stored position for many years with a non op pump motor. Got it working , the top came up and lined up exactly where it was supposed to go. clamped down with little effort. I'm thinking there is a problem with the Wildcat. Seems like it should go forward at least another inch. I have to pull hard enough on the latches to fear something is going to break. Is there an adjustment or will I have to unbolt the retainer around the back of the top to get the slack I need? When its raised the fabric is tight. like very tight.
My only suggestion is to leave it in the sun for a day latched and see if that helps. You should not have to force it, just a firm turn.
I have what I believe is the original top on my car. It's always an effort to latch it shut. Don't know it it's supposed to be like that.
My 71 Centurion was like that. I absolutely hated latching that thing. They shouldn’t be that tight, even new.
You know you're getting old when you complain about tight tops. Got a complaint about rear ends while you're at it?
Really depends on the rear end. Like my cars with a big fat bootie and my women with a little tight butt.
I always help the top motor the last inch or so by pulling down the frame, then have to keep holding to latch. Some are easier than others, but I’ve never felt they were too tight. Nice spam post above!
I had my convertible top replaced (twice) and it too is very hard to latch down. Went to a shop that was highly recommended by a number of Buick people. First top install was totally wrong, had wrinkles in the sail panels and the was coming loose on the drivers side by the rear window molding. The inside header and pads were uneven as well. Shop admitted was installed wrong and ordered a new top and installed this one properly but is very hard to latch on the drivers side. I backed out the hook adjustment on the latch and that helped some but still doesn't feel right when I latch it down. The window doesn't seal properly now and there is a larger gap between the top of the window and the new rubber seal than before. Maybe look into another shop adjusting it I guess.
It's an art form to do right. Had both of my convertibles redone and both had unique problems. This last top was tight enough to break the latch. It's since relaxed a little, but there's no way my wife could do it. It was claimed they had to set it up that way to compensate for an old accident and get the windows lined up. It has done neither; the car leaks from the front header and the windows whistle at highway speeds. It's actually louder in the car than outside. The first top I had done was a little too loose and at 70 it started vibrating and humming. It would get to a drone tone which would drive you nuts. Haven't been 100% happy with either job, but at the time when I had them done I didn't know any better. My modern Toyota convertible is so easy you can latch it with one hand; - it doesn't whistle and it doesn't leak. Why can't my old ones be like this? Take it back and scream loudly, say it's deafening you.
