T-tops

[RKHiPerformance]

Maybe it's just me but the idea of carving up the roof of a hardtop GN makes me a little .
There was at least one thread on this board where the owner of a T-Top car was investigating the possibility of grafting a hardtop roof section onto their car to eliminate the tops. Check this one:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92969

If T-Tops are your thing (and I do understand the benefits), I suggest finding a factory T-roof car. An aftermarket conversion will certainly hurt the value and from a functional and appearance standpoint the aftermarket stuff won't be nearly as good as a factory job.

Just my .02...

 

[Garycar]

I completely agree with "Old Gray".

 

[DissT]

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I don't want to be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable, but surely you jest, sir.

I understand where you are coming from, cutting up a perfectly good car You are well within your bounds.

 

[Gary Wells]

I understand where you are coming from, cutting up a perfectly good car You are well within your bounds.

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Oh, no, I was well out of bounds in that regard, but probably well within bounds on other viewpoints. As a general rule, solid roof turbo Buicks will bring more money right out of the gate. I would never do this undertaking due to, loss of value converting over to a t-top, not including the cost of such an undertaking, even if the job comes out perfect. If it doesn't come out A-1 perfect, you are really screwed. I am sure that you can find any amount of bodyshops/dealers that can/will butcher the job from lack of experience. Dealerships were doing them right and left in the late '80's, most of that talent is gone/retired. Have you considered going first class and chasing down a nice Astroroof? They are highly desireable, bring as much money as a solid roof turbo Buick, and in some cases, bring more money that a solid roof. They are also a tad lighter, quieter, are not as prone to leaking, are are not quite as much money to restore the roof treatment when it comes time, and do not destroy as much structural integrity as a t-top. As far as cutting up a perfectly good car, it is your money and more power to you in that respect. Cut up all the perfectly good cars that you want or can afford to, as it will only make the balance more valueable. Peace, happy holidays, and good luck in your decision and your search.

 

[DissT]

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Oh, no, I was well out of bounds in that regard, but probably well within bounds on other viewpoints. As a general rule, solid roof turbo Buicks will bring more money right out of the gate. I would never do this undertaking due to, loss of value converting over to a t-top, not including the cost of such an undertaking, even if the job comes out perfect. If it doesn't come out A-1 perfect, you are really screwed. I am sure that you can find any amount of bodyshops/dealers that can/will butcher the job from lack of experience. Dealerships were doing them right and left in the late '80's, most of that talent is gone/retired. Have you considered going first class and chasing down a nice Astroroof? They are highly desireable, bring as much money as a solid roof turbo Buick, and in some cases, bring more money that a solid roof. They are also a tad lighter, quieter, are not as prone to leaking, are are not quite as much money to restore the roof treatment when it comes time, and do not destroy as much structural integrity as a t-top. As far as cutting up a perfectly good car, it is your money and more power to you in that respect. Cut up all the perfectly good cars that you want or can afford to, as it will only make the balance more valueable. Peace, happy holidays, and good luck in your decision and your search.

Thanks for your input, this is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Drew L]

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Oh, no, I was well out of bounds in that regard, but probably well within bounds on other viewpoints. As a general rule, solid roof turbo Buicks will bring more money right out of the gate. I would never do this undertaking due to, loss of value converting over to a t-top, not including the cost of such an undertaking, even if the job comes out perfect. If it doesn't come out A-1 perfect, you are really screwed. I am sure that you can find any amount of bodyshops/dealers that can/will butcher the job from lack of experience. Dealerships were doing them right and left in the late '80's, most of that talent is gone/retired. Have you considered going first class and chasing down a nice Astroroof? They are highly desireable, bring as much money as a solid roof turbo Buick, and in some cases, bring more money that a solid roof. They are also a tad lighter, quieter, are not as prone to leaking, are are not quite as much money to restore the roof treatment when it comes time, and do not destroy as much structural integrity as a t-top. As far as cutting up a perfectly good car, it is your money and more power to you in that respect. Cut up all the perfectly good cars that you want or can afford to, as it will only make the balance more valueable. Peace, happy holidays, and good luck in your decision and your search.

and Merry Christmas

 

[Grumpy]

converting a hardtop to a t top is not that bad to do .. IF you know what you are doing Personally I couldn't be bothered but I did do it years ago .. why don't ya save more $$$ to get the car you want that are out of reach now :biggrin:

 

[Gary Wells]

converting a hardtop to a t top is not that bad to do .. IF you know what you are doing Personally I couldn't be bothered but I did do it years ago .. why don't ya save more $$$ to get the car you want that are out of reach now :biggrin:

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Well, it's much easier than converting a t-top to a hardtop.
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Drew, Sorry, I forgot that you had a t-top. Hope that you and your family are in good health and spirits and have good holidays. That includes Christmas, too. Grumpy told me that it is expected of people our age (him & I, not you) to be outspoken. Blame my outburst on him.
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[TURBOTIMMER]

I had my 87 t top car apart to do the repaint. Although crude, it doesn't appear to me that they could have been cut out of a hardtop car. The edge of the roof adjacent to the t tops was stamped 90 degrees to allow for the weatherstripping.

If you want a t top car, get one that's a factory t top car. Save the solid roof cars for the guys that want to go fast.

 

[at7we2]

have T-top GN for sale...

DissT,

I have an '87 T-top GN I'm considering selling. It's a very clean car with only about 24k miles. I has several good bolt-ons including a PTE front-mount and a TE45a turbo and the usual upgrades to support that combo (injectors, fuel pump, etc.) I've also got a huge pile (literally) of brand new parts in boxes waiting to be installed. The new parts include, among other things, a CompCams roller cam with lifters and beehive springs. Basically, I've already purchased just about everything I wanted to install on the car, but I just don't have time for it anymore.

And for what it's worth, I had a hard-top GN before I bought this t-top car and I definatly prefer the t-tops. A hard top *might* be better for a daily driver, but for a "toy" you can't beat t-tops unless you're more concerned with racing the car.

I haven't put this car up for sale officially, but I need to. Email me directly if you're interested. BTW, I'm in Dallas, Texas.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[onefastcar]

should have looked closer when you had it apart like i have mine, inside you can see the spot welds going around the whole top of car the whole top was a stamped piece which was placed on top of the rear pillars of these cars i will take a pic of my stock 87 with t-tops to show you how this was accomplished.

 

[at7we2]

Oooops! Correction.....

DissT,

I have an '87 T-top GN I'm considering selling. It's a very clean car with only about 24k miles. I has several good bolt-ons including a PTE front-mount and a TE45a turbo and the usual upgrades to support that combo (injectors, fuel pump, etc.) I've also got a huge pile (literally) of brand new parts in boxes waiting to be installed. The new parts include, among other things, a CompCams roller cam with lifters and beehive springs. Basically, I've already purchased just about everything I wanted to install on the car, but I just don't have time for it anymore.

And for what it's worth, I had a hard-top GN before I bought this t-top car and I definatly prefer the t-tops. A hard top *might* be better for a daily driver, but for a "toy" you can't beat t-tops unless you're more concerned with racing the car.

I haven't put this car up for sale officially, but I need to. Email me directly if you're interested. BTW, I'm in Dallas, Texas.

Thanks,
Rob

DissT-

OOOOPS!!! Sorry, but that mileage is wrong! The car has 43,995 miles on it, not 24,000 as previously stated. I was very tired when I posted that last night and I must have been thinking about the mileage on the hard-top car I had previously. Sorry about that. Anyway, the interior on this car looks just like the interior in my 24k car did - near mint - and the paint on this car is actually in better condition.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[ghall]

You should check this car out::

http://turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173053

Nice car and a heck of a guy!!!


Geoff

 

[INEEDAGN]

Most t-top cars were done at the factory. SOME were done after the fact by cars and concepts, they are visually different and are extremely hard to find parts for. I love my t-tops and hunted down a car that had them. Passed up my hardtop for sale ads. Love it or hate it item though.

 

[DissT]

DissT-

OOOOPS!!! Sorry, but that mileage is wrong! The car has 43,995 miles on it, not 24,000 as previously stated. I was very tired when I posted that last night and I must have been thinking about the mileage on the hard-top car I had previously. Sorry about that. Anyway, the interior on this car looks just like the interior in my 24k car did - near mint - and the paint on this car is actually in better condition.

Thanks,
Rob

I sent you a pm thanks for the offer.

Thanks for all the input from everyone, even the grumpy old guys. :biggrin:

 

[onefastcar]

here are the pics of my 87 gn top welded in on 1st pic check it out, the second pic is how it is pre bent and layered into the t-top section believe you me this was done afterwards.