I have a 70 SS vert with no docs. It appeared to be a non power top car. In the process of restoring the dash and gauges I discovered a harness that appears to be for the power top. Did chevy put these harnesses in all the convertibles or is it more likely that this car lost the power top motor along the way? There is no switch or hole for one on the dash.

not likely that someone would convert a power to manual top, could be that someone either yanked the motor and pistons because they didnt work, started a resoration job and never got around to reinstalling the motor, or cloned your car and didnt know where to start cutting the dash for the top switch after installing the transplanted gauges, or any combination of the above. The answer to your question is no. Chevrolet did not install wiring for an option that wasnt going to be utilized in the finished product. Jason.

If this car is a clone, which it might be....the dash is the wierd part. The body, interior,and mechanicals all appear to be new or nearly new but the SS non gauge dash as well as the steering wheel and console appear to be original or at least old and unrestored.

blkcherry, take a few moments to fill out your user profile, name, location, etc. I am sure a number of members who are local to you would be willing to come and check things out for you, and answer your questions. Anything is possible in 30+ year old cars, but the fact remains even if it is correct down to every nut and bolt; without documentation supporting it (ie. build sheet(s), POP, original invoice) your car is just a nice car that people will call a clone. A large number of the crowd unfortunately fall into this category. good luck Jason.

the non guage ss dash is very cheap to buy on ebay. I got one for under $100 the sport steering wheel as well $60. So After the interior went in the car looks alot like what you desribe.

Is the brcket for the power top motor there? what about the cylinders or any evidence of them behind the rear door panels. Or the cable through the top.
I haven't seen a non poer top chevlle in person yet. So I don't know what to look for there.

non power top car will also have white plastic clips on the tops of the interior side panels that cover the top cylinders (springs if you have a manual top). The clips hold the top latched down when it isnt up. The power top harness is a separate harness so I cant see it being put on a manual top car. Is there a circuit breaker on the firewall for the top motor? The manual top frame is also different than a power top frame, putting cylinders on a manual top frame will destroy it in short order.