Convertible tops

Mikes65 · March 12th, 2012, 02:06 PM

Does anyone have a recommendation on what brand convertible top is best to use on a 65 cutlass? I have seen ARO2000 claiming to be an original supplier and I see a few other choices. Any brands to steer away from? Thinking of going with the glass rear window instead of the fullview.
Thanks--

66luvr · March 12th, 2012, 04:15 PM

The trim shop I use has always preferred Electron tops.
http://www.electrontop.com/
I've owned a couple of them they are nice. I've owned several convertibles, I can easily recall 16, you can tell some tops are cheaper than the Electron tops.

rcorrigan5 · March 12th, 2012, 06:01 PM

Are you planning on installing the top yourself or are you going to have an upholsterer do it? If it's the latter, I highly recommend you talk with the upholsterer first. There are some brands that some upholsterers simply will not touch.

Randy C.

Mikes65 · March 12th, 2012, 06:10 PM

Going to a shop.Some things are better left for a pro.

Lady72nRob71 · March 12th, 2012, 06:36 PM

If you plan to have a shop install the top, call them and ask what brands they prefer, like, or hate. Some shops will not touch some brands, as they either fit poorly or have quality issues.
I would steer way clear of any top that has the brand not given or a brand that the shop is unfamiliar with. Lady's top was Kee brand bought from Year one. It is pretty nice, but the install had a few small errors.
The trim shop has to warrant this, so they know which ones are good.

71 Cutlass · March 12th, 2012, 07:22 PM

Electron is a good top, and one of the tops of choice by the trim shop many of us in the North Texas Olds Club have been using for years... "Ray's Auto Trim."

rcorrigan5 · March 12th, 2012, 09:03 PM

I also used the Kee brand that I got from Year One. I did the wrong thing in the fact that I bought the top kit before I talked with the upholsterer. I was fortunate when I talked with the upholsterer that he said he does work with the Kee tops. It fit beautifully, the installer didn't have any problems with it, and it's been on for nearly 5 years now.

My upholsterer would not install the new top without new cables so I bought new cables as well. What is the condition of your top bows? The time to clean and paint them if they need it is now, before the new top goes on.

There are also wood strips in the top bows that, depending on their condition, may need to be replaced before the new top goes on. Your installer should let you know about this as well.

Randy C.

Mikes65 · March 13th, 2012, 03:14 PM

I am painting and detailing the top frame. It is removed from the car and partially disassembled.

March 12th, 2012, 02:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mikes65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oxford CT Posts: 193	Convertible tops Does anyone have a recommendation on what brand convertible top is best to use on a 65 cutlass? I have seen ARO2000 claiming to be an original supplier and I see a few other choices. Any brands to steer away from? Thinking of going with the glass rear window instead of the fullview. Thanks--

March 12th, 2012, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
66luvr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ironton Ohio 45638 Posts: 278	The trim shop I use has always preferred Electron tops. http://www.electrontop.com/ I've owned a couple of them they are nice. I've owned several convertibles, I can easily recall 16, you can tell some tops are cheaper than the Electron tops. __________________ Mike My album with pics of the blue car, my Sons 66 Cutlass http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...27s+album.html

March 12th, 2012, 06:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 10,589	If you plan to have a shop install the top, call them and ask what brands they prefer, like, or hate. Some shops will not touch some brands, as they either fit poorly or have quality issues. I would steer way clear of any top that has the brand not given or a brand that the shop is unfamiliar with. Lady's top was Kee brand bought from Year one. It is pretty nice, but the install had a few small errors. The trim shop has to warrant this, so they know which ones are good. __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible- (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ Lady's interior makeover Rally Pac stuff Front end job Underhood resto 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Furd Pinto (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" - in the family since new. 1997 Cadillac STS 1999 H arley-Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

March 12th, 2012, 07:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
71 Cutlass One of None W-31 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 666	Electron is a good top, and one of the tops of choice by the trim shop many of us in the North Texas Olds Club have been using for years... "Ray's Auto Trim." __________________ W-31

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March 12th, 2012, 06:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
rcorrigan5 Randy C. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 1,141	Are you planning on installing the top yourself or are you going to have an upholsterer do it? If it's the latter, I highly recommend you talk with the upholsterer first. There are some brands that some upholsterers simply will not touch. Randy C.

March 12th, 2012, 06:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mikes65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oxford CT Posts: 193	Going to a shop.Some things are better left for a pro.

March 12th, 2012, 09:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
rcorrigan5 Randy C. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 1,141	I also used the Kee brand that I got from Year One. I did the wrong thing in the fact that I bought the top kit before I talked with the upholsterer. I was fortunate when I talked with the upholsterer that he said he does work with the Kee tops. It fit beautifully, the installer didn't have any problems with it, and it's been on for nearly 5 years now. My upholsterer would not install the new top without new cables so I bought new cables as well. What is the condition of your top bows? The time to clean and paint them if they need it is now, before the new top goes on. There are also wood strips in the top bows that, depending on their condition, may need to be replaced before the new top goes on. Your installer should let you know about this as well. Randy C.

March 13th, 2012, 03:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mikes65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oxford CT Posts: 193	I am painting and detailing the top frame. It is removed from the car and partially disassembled.

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