69-72 hard top questions

[loren]

Bought a 72 K5 last year with no top. Not a huge deal since I live in SoCal, but sometimes driving without a top is a bit rough, so it'd be nice to have one.

From what I've gathered, a good hatch is pretty desirable since they often rot apart, but not a deal breaker for me, since a top without a hatch is better than no top at all.

What's a good price to pay for a double wall top? Single wall? I've heard double walls are "hard to give away", but that doesn't seem to apply to LA. I check craigslist regularly and any first gen top seems to go for $500+, regardless of condition.

There's a double wall (no hatch) listed for $250 right now and I'm thinking of snatching it up since it's the lowest price I've seen...

Haven't checked junkyards recently, but in the past haven't had much luck.

Anybody have a top for sale or have any leads on one?

 

[shady]

buy a soft top.. only a few hundred more than them hard tops

 

[loren]

buy a soft top.. only a few hundred more than them hard tops

I like the idea of soft tops, but not a huge fan of how most of them look unfortunately. They look much better on the later gens (half tops) in my opinion.

I'd definitely rock a bikini top on a family cage, though. One day...

 

[shady]

I like this one, plus its the only one that's still made I think

 

[rampage]

Depends on how far you'd like to travel. There's a place in Fremont, CA called Vintage Chevy Trucks that specializes in first gen trucks. I can see on google maps that he has some tops in his yard. Best to give them a call to see what he has available. Last I knew, the guy that owned the place was Bill O'Grady. Don't know what his prices are like.
http://www.vintagechevytrucks.com/index2.html

 

[dremu]

Depends on how far you'd like to travel. There's a place in Fremont, CA called Vintage Chevy Trucks that specializes in first gen trucks. I can see on google maps that he has some tops in his yard. Best to give them a call to see what he has available. Last I knew, the guy that owned the place was Bill O'Grady. Don't know what his prices are like.
http://www.vintagechevytrucks.com/index2.html

Bill is ... a character, let's say. And he is very proud of his inventory, based on the pricing.

That said, he HAS stuff that's hard to find, not least because I think he buys most of the trucks that show up on Craigslist.

-- A

 

[loren]

Depends on how far you'd like to travel. There's a place in Fremont, CA called Vintage Chevy Trucks that specializes in first gen trucks.http://www.vintagechevytrucks.com/index2.html

Oh wow, that looks straight up dangerous. Based on inventory pics, I'd walk out of there broke!!

SF area is about a 6 hour drive so that's probably a bit much for me, but I might stop by next time I'm in the area just to check it out.

 

[Irish1941]

Bill is ... a character, let's say. And he is very proud of his inventory, based on the pricing.

That said, he HAS stuff that's hard to find, not least because I think he buys most of the trucks that show up on Craigslist.

-- A

HA!
Proud is an understatement. I think he tries to set the current market value.
Anyway if you look around and are patient, they can be had for $200-$300 range with upper window. The do come up in L.A pretty regular but just be ready jump when you see one. Not exactly a "let me think it over" kinda part. Most you'll find here are single wall. Warm climate. Doubles were in colder climate areas. I did see one in SLO/Paso for $150 few weeks back so they are out there.

 

[shady]

if you live in California and ever want to take it off again you want a single wall anyway. way easier

 

[70jimmy]

There was a soft top on here not so long ago for $500.00. I had a Kayline on mine for years and liked it, even in the wintertime. I threw my hardtop away years ago. Bad hatch, and someone had cut a sunroof into it and done a poor job. I tried to fix it but that didn't work out well, so I trashed it. Bought another for cheap and put my hatch on it and ran it for a while.

When I redid the truck I put a roll bar above the window frame so it has been custom soft top since then.

If you want a soft top I would have one custom made, better materials and you decide on windows, zippers etc.

I have only had the double wall on first gens so no experience on single wall. Double wall the nuts that are buried in the top often rust and can't be threaded. They can be replaced but its a pain. Good luck in your search!

 

[chulisohombre]

I bought a parts blazer for 350 off eBay. Took the top and whatever else I needed or could use and resold on ebay for the same price to a guy that wanted just the tub. You could do the same. Deals are out there but it's getting slim on good tops for these trucks any more. That's why they usually want a few hundred for them. And they are not reproduced. The rear hatch can be bought from brothers trucks but I've heard they had some bad ones go out and were searching for a new vender to make them again. 250 ain't bad if the top isn't cracked or damaged. Got a pic or link?

 

[AJs72K5]

I like this one, plus its the only one that's still made I think

Correct. That's a Softtopper...and they're the only game in town for a new 1st gen top. Kayline / STC fastracker tops are all but impossible to find used. But, they do pop up every once in a while as mentioned above.