Hey everyone, I'm a newbie!

I've been daily driving my 1967 standard convertible since 1977.

I'm doing some much needed restoration - but planning on still using it as my daily driver - and at this point I have all of the interior removed.

It has a manual top, and I would love to automate it.

I have found a used top frame (complete with side rails and header bow) for $1500. And I see that I can get the other miscellaneous parts through most cataloges for about another $1000.

But my questions is: What kind of convertible conversion "hell" am I about to blindly step into? And should I stop before I start?! :confused:

Thanks.

Bruce

Welcome to TC!

installing a new top on a good, properly adjusted top frame is a big job. replacing and aligning a top frame is a huge job. I'd say, unless there is something seriously wrong with your existing top frame, pass. Course, I don't mind my manual top, it's always down anyway.

JimM,

That's what I was afraid of.

So, the next question is: Is there a way to automate my existing, well-fitting, top frame by adding pieces (like frame rails, etc.)?

I live 60 miles north of Seattle ... and my top only comes down when the sun peeks out!

Bruce

Bruce, the side rails of the tops are different between manual and power. $1500 for a top frame sounds really high! (unless it includes new rams, pump and wiring). The repro top frames are $700. I do not think swapping tops is a big deal. Don't get me wrong, its a lot of tedious work, but it is just turning wrenches. You have to get the Fisher manual that has the convert top manual chapter and read up. You will need a buddy to help you with the top swap.

JimM,

That's what I was afraid of.

So, the next question is: Is there a way to automate my existing, well-fitting, top frame by adding pieces (like frame rails, etc.)?

I live 60 miles north of Seattle ... and my top only comes down when the sun peeks out!

Bruce

Revrun
I am in Joke Harbor.... I have a manual and power top in my shop if you want to come by and look at the differences..... shoot me a e-mail and I'll give you my cell # and address of my shop

Stay with the manual top. Besides the top frame and cylinders and wiring and etc, It's not really "improve" the car. Use that money for other necessary items for the car. IMHO.

My 67 has a power top.This has been the most troublesome part of the car since day one.I finally disconnected it, raise and lower the top manually now

My 67 has a power top.This has been the most troublesome part of the car since day one.I finally disconnected it, raise and lower the top manually now
Same here, PIA

It was kinda nice when it worked but...

When it dosen't then the top is really stuck.

Good Luck

I had a 68 rs convertibe I changed over to a power top from a donor car years ago. I loved it!!! You can be at a red light, sitting in grid lock traffic, etc. & the rain may start (or stop). No problem, you just buz to top up or down. I didn't think the work was all that hard but, it may be attitude also. I like working on the car. Now I have a 67 that came with factory power. The power top motor went out about 4 years ago. I found a typical unit on ebay for about $30.00. Its worked great ever since. When I park the car at work in mornings I buz the top up. If its nice when time to go home, I buz it down. I also found some OEM power windows for the 67 a number of years ago (68 had em) they are great too. I use em all the time. It realy beats trying to go around manually trying to raise or lower the windows. Especially while driving down the hwy. This car is pretty much loaded for a 67 camaro: power windows, power top, original power disc breaks, original 327/275, hide away head lights, factory air, plus some other light things. The 68 was this was too but it was stolen years ago. If you want a power top, I say GO FOR IT DUDE. :)

I dunno... had a 67 with a power top. You could not raise or lower it at a typical red light, too slow. On the other hand, it takes less than 10 seconds (way less) to hop out and pop or drop the manual top in my 68.

Well maybe lights are longer here in Texas. I raise or lower the top with time to spare, have for years. I think people sitting there in traffic (board) get a kit out of watching the old girl change before there eyes too. Before I made the change to 68 I used to have to put the top up or down manually out in traffic(sometimes). I'll say its a lot more prestigious too, to use power. Standing up in the back seat when I was in my twenties & lifting the top up just didn't come across as being too cool. For some people... they would think it to be a bit embarrassing. It was a little for me, but I didn't let that stop me. I wasn't going to just sit there in the rain until I could pull into a parking lot or something. Sometimes too, it can cool off quite a bit in the early evening if I've been running around during the day. I'll decide maybe at a light, I think I'll buzz the top up & even turn on the heat. Its nice. :) I mean a power top or windows aren't by any means a necessity but, neither are hide away headlights. Some people are real into horse power with their camaro, I've always been more into rare options & just moderately into horse power.

you are so right, no doubt... all a matter of priorities I think...

For me right now... I gotta perfectly good manual frame with a real nice top on it that works perfectly (understood (perhaps incorrectly) that the poster was in the same situation)

Also got... 4 wheel drums that need to go away. 8.2" pegleg rear that also needs to go away... & an original 83000 mile 327 shortblock with way too much blowby that I should have done something about when it was out of the car last winter...

Guess those "nice" features like power top and windows are at least 3 years out for me...

My manual top is in decent working condition. But I've been driving this car (and putting the top up and down by hand) for 28 years. Since I'm in the middle of restoring it (to a daily driver), I'm going to have to restore the manual top frame anyway (it's a bit rusty in the joints). So, I thought this would be the time to change over ... if I'm ever gonna do it.

I sure appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice.

If you're restoring the top frame and replacing the top anyway, now's the time!

I really hate to weigh in here, but...

When I bought my 68, it had a non-functional power top. That was the worst, because when cruising solo I had to stand in the middle of the back seat and grunt and gyrate to get it up (okay, can't wait for the comments on that...). Then I bought a switch, new cylinders, and a pump, and it worked great. It went up and down pretty fast, fast enough for the traffic lights in PA. I agree, it had a tremendous cool factor! Something about seeing an old musclecar dropping the top is just cool.

The 69 is a manual top car, which is why I hate saying and thinking about how cool the power top was. The manual top works well, so I will probably keep it for now. But, if I stumbled on a deal for a power top tomorrow, I'd get it.

Darn it, you guys are going to make me go out and buy a convertible now.....The little lady is gonna kill me if I bring home yet another 67 Camaro, but I SO wanted a vert when I bought my last one. It just didn't work out that way.

Chistopher -

Gotta do it! This is my third 1st gen; 20 years ago it was a 67 coupe, 10 years ago it was the 68 vert, and now a 69 vert. The coupe was cool, and someday I will build another, probably when my boy (5) is ready for a car. But there will always be a vert in my garage.

It was actually a selling point with my wife for the 68. She doesn't mind the time or money I spend as much when wind in your hair driving is the reward. Not sure she'll drive the 69, because she doesn't drive stickshift, but I bet she'll learn.

Wait a year or two until the 67 vert bodies come out, because that'll be the way to go. If the 69 body had been out when I started, I probably would have gone that way.

With a power top, of course. Dang it, now I have to start looking for top rails! :)

Chistopher -

If the 69 body had been out when I started, I probably would have gone that way.

With a power top, of course. Dang it, now I have to start looking for top rails! :)

lol, I hear ya. I'm a "fairly new" member of this site, but this is actually my third first gen as well. All 3 I've owned have been coupes. I'll get that elusive Vert some day.....

Ragtops forever, Chris!!! Only way for me... can't have a bike anymore cause the kids come running whenever I fired it up, and I don't want to kill one of them should the worst ever happen, but I do for sure have a need for bugs in my teeth and wind in my face!

14 verts, t-tops, and removeable tops over the years, first was a 67 camaro, current a 68. (next will be a 67 GTO vert.) Ragtops Forever!!