C3 T-Top Restoration - T-Time

We began reassembling the T-tops by installing our clean hardware and latches.

It's amazing how well even the original pieces clean up with a little elbow grease. If yours are too far gone, Corvette Central has replacements.

The new front moldings can be installed next. Once in position, they're simply tapped into place using a plastic hammer and held in place by friction and the other trim.

The side trim is held on by rivets, which Corvette Central includes; the weatherstrip molding is riveted on next. All of the pieces we installed fit like new, with no issues.

Our old weatherstripping was definitely shot, so we ordered new pieces from Corvette Central. These fit properly and came with the correct plastic clips to hold them in place. We suggest adding a little adhesive between the clips to prevent the seal from sagging.

Before proceeding, reinstall the T-tops in the car and make the final adjustments on the latches and plates so that the tops align and operate properly.

This is a bit of a trial-and-error process, but easy to accomplish with a little thought and effort.

Once everything is properly adjusted, tighten all the fasteners and remove the T-tops to install the headliner pad. Before installing the screws, place the T-tops back in the car and realign the headliner pad as needed to prevent chafing on adjacent areas.

While we were at it, we decided to replace the forward, rear, and center T-top panels in the interior, as ours were cracked and discolored from age. The parts were exact reproductions, with the exception of the higher-quality materials used to make them.

The new T-top parts really make the car look better from both the inside and outside.

Road noise is reduced, and the tops and side windows now close properly for a weather-tight seal. This is one of those projects that's easy to do if you have a day off and want to spend it improving your Corvette.