Guide New owner - hard top question

[Luke Hunter]

Hello!

Hope this is the right forum!


So I just bought a 1975 C3 Corvette L82 with soft top and hard top, but picked up the hard top the day later.

I went to install it, but notice it wouldnt sit right, so I noticed a tab on each side was sitting on a bolt, and there was a hole in each tab that looks like where the bolt should go through.

So I unscrewed the bolt, but heard the nut on the other side fall down into the car.

So Ive realized, to access that bolt, and to put nuts on the other 2 long bolts on the hard top, the only way to install the hardtop, and access the nuts that fell off, is to install the hard top with the part of the back hood (that covers the soft top) lifted up.

Is that how we are supposed to do it?

Seems like more than a one person job for sure, even 3 people.

 

[C SEVEN GS Bob]

I had a 72 with a hardtop and found this PDF for a 71. Check page 35 and 36 of the owners manual here: 1971 corvette registry - owners manual

 

[Luke Hunter]

Thank you!!

 

[C SEVEN GS Bob]

Since it was more than 50 years ago I really don't remember the details of what it took to change tops except that it was a two person job. I was quite a bit thinner then but think I had to flex to get at the bolts in the luggage are behind the seats. I do remember that wife and I could do it together. Good luck and post pictures when you get it on.
Cheers,
Bob