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Thompson Astro Tops?

Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior

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Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/24/15 1:19pmMessage 1 of 12
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jim in oregon
Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
Has anyone bought, used or seen in person the acrylic T Tops made by Thompson in Alabama?
Looks like they have been around since the 70's and use all the original T Top hardware, mechanisms and weatherstripping..,ready to install for around 800.00 including shipping..

http://astrotops.com/

They sell them for less IF one sends them the original glass tops as a core..Jim
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/24/15 8:21pmMessage 2 of 12
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Sarge81
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2381
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
I've never had any personal experience with these tops, but I've heard more negative feedback than positive on them through various threads on different Corvette forums. 
Years ago I was thinking about trying one, but opted for my black glass tops instead due to the bad things I was hearing about them. 


|UPDATED|10/24/2015 8:21:37 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/25/15 4:58amMessage 3 of 12
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Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA
Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.
I traded in an old pair with cracked glass at Corvettes at Carlisle about 7-8 years ago. Think  I paid about 500 with the cores. Best thing I did, they still look great and I'm thrilled with them. They aren't glass so you do have to be careful cleaning them, but it's no big deal. They are also very light. A whole lot lighter than the glass pair on the Pace Car which makes it easier tucking them in behind the seats.
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/25/15 7:25amMessage 4 of 12
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jim in oregon
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
Thanks for the replies and input do far..Sarge, what sort of specifically 'bad things' did you hear?.

Mid America has an application instructional on glass LOF GLASS T Tops  for the 68-82 corvettes..their part # for the tops & instruction sheet is 600-258..
Made with original components and refitted by factory with new glass to original specs..

Some  detailed instructions on initial installation and adjustments for a good fit..which I think would be applicable for ANY new replacement T Top using original hardware, latches etc regardless of material for the clear T Top itself..
Theirs are designed to fit about 1/8" higher in the rear than the roof itself..Not sure IF  the original chevy glass t tops fit that way or not..Jim


|UPDATED|10/25/2015 7:25:05 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/25/15 8:16amMessage 5 of 12
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Sarge81
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2381
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
Two top complaints were they rattled and squeaked more than regular t-tops and they scratch very easy.


GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/25/15 11:29amMessage 6 of 12
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jim in oregon
Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
Rattle & squeak... and scratch easily.???.HMMM.

I'll investigate with Thompson concerning what minor adjustments might be done for rattling( which shouldn't be happening if fit is proper and adjustment proper)
Original T Tops and Glass T Tops DO have adjustments for close to perfect fitting and proper tightness-latch-water sealing..including some service bulletins on enlarging /elongating mounting holes in car where rear mounting brackets fit.

Not sure how the acrylic 'glass' part would easily  get scratched..unless they were handled-stored carelessly or subjected to substandard automatic car wash( does ANYONE take their C3 thru the car wash?..:() or had abrasive cleansers used on them..or improperly cleaned when very dusty-dirty..


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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/25/15 12:33pmMessage 7 of 12
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Redwoman
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
I know a guy who had the them and he never was able to stop the leaks no matter how many times they were adjusted. His second complaint was how easy they scratched . If you have seen when plexiglass gets scratched that's what it looks likes and it can't be fixed. At least with real glass if it scratches the glass repair place can get scratches out.
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/26/15 6:48amMessage 8 of 12
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dwa175
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leesburg, FL - USA
Joined: 7/19/2014
Posts: 222
Vette(s): 1979 coupe and now 2007 c-6
can we get a picBeer dwa
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/26/15 9:50amMessage 9 of 12
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jim in oregon
Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
DWA,
here's their website..I'm going to call and speak with them later today..Jim

http://astrotops.com/


(created live link-aapple)


|UPDATED|10/26/2015 9:50:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Re: Thompson Astro Tops?

Posted: 10/26/15 12:34pmMessage 10 of 12
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wetvet
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Lake Oswego, OR - USA
Joined: 10/17/2003
Posts: 567
Vette(s): 1972 Steel Cities Gray T Top. Original Owner, Original Paint and Interior. The running gear has been rebuilt. only 250,000 miles on the clock..
I have a set of them on my Corvette. Bought them new in 1974. Yes they do squeak a bit. I just put some cotton in the slots in the "T Top" and that cured it. Mine are the 2 piece "T Top" type, not the 1 piece. Additionally mine has glass not Plexiglas. Yes, I've see the Plexiglas ones and they do scratch easily.

As far as taking your C3 Corvette through a CAR WASH.....I DON"T THINK SO !!!!!Pinch

|UPDATED|10/26/2015 12:34:13 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

 
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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"

  

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