Hard Top Storage

chevyaddict · 06-24-06, 07:57 PM

Hi all! I was looking in some catalogs and was dissatisfied and what I was finding for removable hard top storage. My plan is to run the 68 with the top down most the time unless I get stuck in the rain and then will just use the soft top. I don't want my nice hard top to get warped by storing it improperly.

I noticed Ecklers has one item for $140 but it isn't really what I'm looking for. Can those of you who have removable hardtops let me know what you've done to ensure your hard top doesn't warp while its off???

chevyaddict · 06-25-06, 12:16 PM

WHAT??? No one stores their hardtop? I'm surprised there haven't been any replies yet!!!

bill81vette · 06-25-06, 01:23 PM

Dawn,Do you mean T-tops as opposed to a removable hardtop???

chevyaddict · 06-25-06, 01:43 PM

Removeable hardtop for my 68......

bill81vette · 06-25-06, 01:57 PM

didn't know they made them...sorry

Erik S. Klein · 06-25-06, 02:15 PM

The only two options I'm familiar with are the rolling trollies that store them with the rear window facing down or the strap systems that suspend them over where you park the car.

I don't think either would warp the top, but I'm a T-top guy, so I have no practical experience.

Good luck!

JohnZ · 06-25-06, 03:20 PM

I used to store my '57 hardtop in the basement, upside-down on a blanket, with a dust cover over it, after I got it back from Glassworks; stayed there for five years after my restoration until the day I sold the car and re-installed it. Never saw any of the "dolly" storage devices that wouldn't permanently distort either the front or rear header weatherstrips.

sharkcar71 · 06-26-06, 04:19 PM

My hardtop sits aganst the wall of my garage with an old blanket covering it.Ive got some stacked up cardboard on the floor to protect the chrome tips.I usually put it on for about a month every winter,ive never noticed any warping.

chevyaddict · 06-26-06, 04:22 PM

Excellent! Goody goody! This means I get to take it off tonight when I get HOME! Thanks all!

sharkcar71 · 06-26-06, 04:25 PM

Just make sure to put some kind of padding down to protect the rear tips as some of the earlier hardtops didnt have the chrome tips.

BruceBed · 06-27-06, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkcar71

My hardtop sits aganst the wall of my garage with an old blanket covering it.Ive got some stacked up cardboard on the floor to protect the chrome tips.I usually put it on for about a month every winter,ive never noticed any warping.

I do about the same. I have it wrapped in a furniture blanket then it's roped around like a bakery box. The tips are elevated by a block of wood. It's never warped in 30+years.

BlueL36 · 06-27-06, 04:26 PM

I took some styrofoam that came with a new computer and made "feet" for the front edge and stacked my hardtop in my basement. Covered it with a blanket that was not seeing any usage. I'd be concerned with cardboard or anything else that might absorb water/moisture to wick to the hardtop.

chevyaddict · 06-27-06, 05:31 PM

Great - mine does not have the chrome tips on the edges so I'll be extra careful. Great advise too about what surface comes in contact with the top regarding absorption and whatnot. I was thinking about making a custom stand that would have it "sit" the same way it does on the car but it sounds like my warping hypothesis has no basis for concern so I'll not worry!

GaryS · 06-27-06, 11:44 PM

Well, since you didn't get many responses, I will add what I did to my 66 hardtop. I did not find a suitable hardtop storage system so I figured out my own. I installed a long threaded 3/8" rod through the side hold down points with nuts and washers on both side. I tightened the nuts down so that there wasn't any movement and then hung that from one of the screw in steel hooks that are used to hang bicycles from the ceiling.

chevyaddict · 06-28-06, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

Well, since you didn't get many responses, I will add what I did to my 66 hardtop. I did not find a suitable hardtop storage system so I figured out my own. I installed a long threaded 3/8" rod through the side hold down points with nuts and washers on both side. I tightened the nuts down so that there wasn't any movement and then hung that from one of the screw in steel hooks that are used to hang bicycles from the ceiling.

Great idea!!! I really like this one! thanks!!