Snowdog

Looking to have my '65 Cutlass top replaced in the Spring
Anyone know where I can get it done for a fair price?
Have had pricing from $500.00 to $1500.00. In the Chicago Area

Lady72nRob71

Between 600-800 is a good price range for labor only. Find a guy who knows how to do older cars. Also, seek out a shop first and choose a shop before the top. Ask what top brands he will install before you buy one. Many shops will only install certain brands as they know they will fit well.

fmbjogger

Pretty car. What color top ?

rcorrigan5

X2 for what Lady72nRob71 said. I bought my top kit first and just happened to be lucky that my first choice uphosterer to install the top would work with the top kit I bought. There were definitely some brands he would not deal with at all. Find your uphosterer and then either get a recommendation from him on what brand to order or let the uphosterer obtain it.

Randy C.

2blu442

X2 on what Rob said. I've got a buddy that works at a local uphostery shop. He's told me they spend way too much time trying to make poor quality tops/seat covers fit and dread it when customers bring cheapo parts in. John

Ooops! make that X3. You beat me to #2 Randy!

Snowdog

One person on here said they put in a Glass window...
I say it it not possible with a '65 Cutlass
I don't want a Kit from China. Custom made sewn in
If I must pay I will keep American Workers Working.

Snowdog

I want to keep it original

Mark71

Rob, that's gotta be some kind of friend pricing, right???

Locally, I've asked around about having my 71's top done. I was only able to get one solid quote for 2500 bucks. The price was soooooo high, that I put the job off for this year.

I've even considered () trying to do it myself. ConvertibleTopGuys.com has specific manuals for installing their kits on GM A-Bodies. I am just not sure about the quality of their kits -- and whether I can actually install it correctly (enough) or not.

Regardless, if you know where I can get it done for under 1K, I'll ship my car there!

Lady72nRob71

Ouch! 2500? That sounds more like a "we do not really want to mess with it and hope you leave" price.
Lady's PO paid 700 labor and provided a KEE top to a local trim shop in South carolina. Regular price... They even repaired the trim sticks and rewelded part of the frame for that price.

SO shop around and in neighboring cities. That expensive one could be the only local one or something.

rcorrigan5

After I purchased my kit (from Year One as I recall), my upholsterer installed it for me for $700. Talk with your upholsterer. He might be able to make the top and install it - that keeps all the money here in the good ol' USA. I'd look for an upholsterer that's been in the business for awhile because they know how to make a top that is exactly as original.

Randy C.

w-30dreamin

Your 65 looks very nice!, well worthy of a good quality top and install.

nonhog

Where did you go Randy? Since I'm not too far. I'm still thinking about giving it a go myself. I bought an OPGI top. Not sure how they rate?

nonhog

X2 I like it with a white top.

Snowdog

My Babies

rcorrigan5

Nice cars! I imagine the white one has to stay inside for an Illinois winter!

For NonHog - private msg sent.

A couple of other things to consider when installing the new top: 1. Are your top bows in good condition? With the old top off, now is the best time to get rid of old rust, clean up the bows and paint them if necessary. 2. New cables - the upholsterer that installed my new top insisted on new cables. 3. Tack strip - and I'm a bit hazy on this because I didn't see this part - but apparently there are some wood strips that fit into the top bows that are used to secure the top down to (awkward sentence) that sometimes need to be replaced. Fortunately, mine were in good shape and the upholsterer used them instead of having to buy replacement strips.

Randy C.

Snowdog

I know Ogden top and trim in Berwyn and Marks in New Lenox
Any other Ideas In the South Burbs?