Smartin Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 Since I received my Centurion about a month ago, it has had a new convertible top installed...but not without some hitches. The scissor frame was absolutely trashed from years of manual folding and abuse. Soooooo needless to say, I had to find a replacement frame for a REASONABLE amount. This was no easy task, but I used my resources tothe best of my ability and had some luck with the postings on this site and the v8buick site. I appreciate everyone's help in finding these parts and we all should be grateful for the groups that have formed as a result of what you're looking at right now.On to my saga for a top frame...I called countless people looking for leads and mostly cam up empty handed. Convertible service wanted almost $2800 for a complete frame setup. So I kept looking. I had been talking to my local Dr. Vinyl store and they were also trying to track down a frame for me. They had a 75 Olds Delta 88 convertible with a hew top sitting in their lot that wasn't paid for and the account was delinquent. THe owner of the store called the owneer of the Olds and asked if he would sell it to me for the cost of the bill he had not paid as of yet. The car was a complete basket case and should never had been put in the ship for a new top. A few days later, John (Dr. Vinyl owner) called me and said the car owner would sell it to me for $1500. I said OK! Since the car had a new top already, I could just have them transfer it over to my car. I met the girlfriend of the car owner at the top shop and we exchanged our info...I actually got the car for $1200...what a deal, huh? I drove the Olds home today and took some parts that I wanted off of it. The guy next door to my shop has a friend that is going to take it off my hands for $100 tomorrow. Not bad for a running 350 olds rocket. The rest of the car is completely trashed.I picked up the Centurion this evening and paid the balance remaining for the labor to swap tops. (another $850). I had never seen the car with a top before, and it's like a different car!! I'll need to adjust the windows some to get rid of the gaps, but it's awesome. I put in an order to Convertible Service today for a complete weatherstrip kit which includes all top weatherstrips, door strips, quarter window strips with the end door jamb bushings, trunk strip, and pillar seals. I think that's it. That ran me about $400. I didn't think that was too bad of a deal considering that place is incredibly overpriced. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />I'm so happy to have my car back and in the garage tonight. I think I went a little over budget on it so far, but it's worth it. I couldn't have picked a better car to own.This weekend, I'll wash it and get some nice shots of it to post on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 I'd say you did ok. The last one of those tops I had done, back around 1994 or so, was over $600 then with a plastic window (which I used because the glass ones kept pulling loose from the back curtain).I like the 71-75 GM 'verts, but those damn scissor tops <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> will keep me from ever owning another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 5, 2003 Author Share Posted March 5, 2003 Here's a pic I shot real quick in my dark garage tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway_101 Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 It's nice to hear a scissor top success story. I bought a new top and guide cables for my 1974 ElDorado convertible a couple of years ago (along with a manual), thinking that I would attempt installation myself. I still need 2nd bow ball joints and possibly a front bow. I am now thinking that I need to just bite the bullet and pay an experienced person to finish the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Chapman Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 Adam,Nice work. Doesn't look much like the tired old Buick I saw in San Diego.Cheers,John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 5, 2003 Author Share Posted March 5, 2003 That thing was a pretty sad sight when it came to my door a month ago. The paint shines up rather nicely, though. And the interior looks presentable when I dump silicone all over it <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But the top makes the car complete. Now I can actually drive it. It has a couple exhaust leaks, so that might have to get fixed before I get it licensed. Of course, St. Louis requires that all cars 71 and younger have an emissions test...a very rigorus one at that. Time to pay the penalty fees for dirty air. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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