Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Grajmahal · Active Member

Someone to install convertible top on my 66

OscarZ · Mega Poster

Convertible Tops and Interiors by Fred is one shop. www.ctibyfred.com 763-442-5229. I believe he did Loren's top on his 69. Jon H had another shop do his top and recommended them previously but I don't recall the details. Run a search on the forum here and it should pop up I believe.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

When I was shopping for a top installer they ALL wanted to use a top made by Electron out of NY. If you have your own top of another manufacture they may not be so willing to use it since they could not guarantee the quality and fit. Fred may do it, he is a unique individual. He did a great job on Loren's car. I used Premier in Rogers and was very satisfied. I have referred two others and no complaints.

Grajmahal · Active Member

Jon, that is exactly what I am running into. I have a KEE top, which is supposed to be a good manufacturer, but everyone I have called says that they will put on an Electron (which you can't buy yourself, you have to buy through them) or not at all. It is starting to look like I am going to become a convertible top installation expert, which is not something that I have been eager to add to my resume.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Is it possible to just send everything back to Ecklers? Then just farm the entire job out to a shop like already mentioned.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

I also used Premier on Jon's recommendation and was very pleased.

John, could you add to this post some pictures and the story of your frame upgrade and install?

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Just remember, convertible tops are cut to fit and I do mean with no room for error. Just be sure your frame from the Buick is exactly the same as the Chevrolet frame you are replacing or you are going to run into issues.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Funny this topic came up... just last night when putting my top back up I noticed that the rear drivers side rib linkage was not connected after the top was up. I put the top about half way down, and found the capture nut had come off and landed somewhere in the dark depths below it. Found a nylon lock nut in my coffee can of fasteners that fit and all is good until the next time I take out the back interior and door panels to find the pesky nut.

My point is that the top is one of the few parts I didn't touch during the frame off, and I've had 2 issues with it in the past 2 weeks (the 'Up' wire came disconnected from the motor, so found it pretty easy). So, have someone do it right the first time, or you will fight nagging issues. My .

Grajmahal · Active Member

From my research, the buick/Pontiac,Olds A-body convertible top frames are identical to the chevelles. This one installed easily and seems to fit perfectly. The windows all hit the weatherstripping, the locking mechanism works - it actually seems better than the one that I took off.

I'm getting bids on the order of $2k installed for the electron top. I just don't have that in the budget, and I got a very good price on the KEE. Looking it over, it looks to be of good quality material and well made, at least judging by the stitching. I think it's going to come down to buying a good stapler and tackling it myself. You'll be able to spot me on the road, I'll be the guy with the wrinkly top.

I didn't take any photos of the frame replacement, but I guess I still could. The old one un-bolts with 6 bolts, and the new one bolts right up. The real pain was the hydraulics for the new one - I installed one of them backwards, meaning that the fitting was on the front. The fitting hit the cage on the first operation, breaking the cylinder and spitting ATF over everything. Maybe a good thing, as it forced me to put new cylinders in where I had planned only to replace the lines and use the cylinders that came with the top. Anyway, it is all functional now, the air bled out of the hoses and the switch installed in the factory slot.

John

Dan Williams · Active Member

Be glad it was ATF. The 65 came with brake fluid and was recommended that to replace it so we did when we flushed it several years ago. Makes me nervous anytime I hear a funny noise when it is going up or down. I hate brake fluid, it should be outlawed. Not sure how big a deal to get that crap out and use some other hydraulic, now would be a good time to do it, it finally is going to the body shop next week for paint!

Lost in the 60s · President

Have you called Mark at Yellow Dog ?? He may be willing to tackle it.

http://yellowdogupholstery.com/contact.html

Upholstery Repair & Custom Covers

Yellow Dog Upholstery is located in Andover, Minnesota and serving Anoka, Coon Rapids, Blaine, Andover and the Northern Twin Cities suburbs. Call today for a free estimate or to discuss custom project possibilities.

763-434-3578
mark@yellowdogupholstery.com

1321 Andover Blvd NE,
Suite 114 Ham Lake,
MN 55304

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763-434-3578 mark@yellowdogupholstery.com
1321 Andover Blvd NE, Suite 114 Ham Lake, MN 55304

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Your prices estimates seem high. I got about 5 estimates two years ago and they went from $1100 to $1800, all parts and labor.
You may want to call Yellow Dog. They do nice work but will not do anything on the frame, that is what scared me away as I needed a little tweeking and Mark said no, just install.

bowtie · Secretary

I would refer you to Mark at Yellow Dog too. he's been doing it for many years.

Grajmahal · Active Member

I did call Mark, and I am taking Lucy up there next week to have him look at the project. He didn't raise any issues about the brand of the top, and he gave me a very reasonable 'worst case' estimate. Thanks for all the help, as always! I'll post a photo when she is back together - I'm working this weekend to install the new power windows too, so she's going to see some dramatic improvements here.

John

Lost in the 60s · President

Glad to hear you are moving forward with the top.

I've talked to Mark about the upholstery in my '66 and he seems like a really nice guy to work with.

I know people in the Camaro Club who have had him install headliners and seats and they were all very satisfied with his work and price.

Grajmahal · Active Member

For what it's worth, if anyone needs any parts from a manual top assembly, I now have a spare frame and two spring lifts that were working fine when I removed them last week. I'll put them on eBay in a bit, but if someone on this list needs 'em first, let me know.

John

Bungy L-76 · Active Member

Looks like you're getting er done, but I thought I'd through this out there anyway. My dad just had a top put on his 56 Ford and used a guy named Steve Augustine in Byron, MN. Used my dads top and the charge was $1100.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

I think Steve may just have a 66.