Is there a way to remove the convertible top without destroying it? My 69 is going in to be blasted next month and I'm trying to get the top off the car. The top is in pretty good shape so I'd like to save it but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get it off the car. The rear tack bar is too wide to come out and it looks like the the top was attached to the bar before it went into the car. The bolts that attach the rear tack bar to the hinge are in from the outside also indicating that the top should be partially installed before the hinge is installed back in the car. HELP! Thanks, Mike

I have never heard of anyone successfully reusing a top.

I never been that route before but I guess it cant hurt to try because worst case you put a new top on if you cant reuse the old one?
If you have never done a top removal I would highly suggest you take it to someone who knows how to do it and save your top if it can be saved........:yes:

My dad did it on a 71 he sold about 15 years ago. You have to be very careful and take your time. The top he reused was almost brand new, so it was still flexible.

The top bar will come out after you take the bolts out. Have to flex it and be careful. In your case, though, I recommend marking the bolt locations and taking the whole top and frame out as an assembly. :yes:

Dave - you are correct. The whole top comes off in one piece. For those who are tring to get the top off a 68 - 72 Chevelle, here's what I did. First, the rear tack bar is floating, only attached to the top frame. I un-bolted the six 3/8" bolts that hold the top to the car at the hinge points and removed the screws that hold the well boot in place. With the top up but not attached at the windshield, I used a pry bar to flex one of the hinge points in while moving it forward. Slowly, the hinge point will come out from behing the mount and the top will be loose. Using my engine lift, I lifted the top off the car. Once I figured it out, the whole process only took 15 - 20 minutes.

This process is what you would use to replace the convertible top. Remove the top from the car, replace the back window and rear side sections and put the top back on the car to finish.

Thanks for the responses. Mike

Dave sorry we didn't have time to chime in here. Be carefull in doing the top that way. We specialize in convertibles and have had well over a 100 Chevelle converts here over the years shipped in from all over the country to work on. For those that want to remove just the top itself look below this is Stan Kryla's 72 SS454 that we did the top on just before it went to Kuait.
Open the top half way
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/DSC03369.jpg
Remove the front weatherstrip and front conv trim. then untack the front and pads
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/DSC03375.jpg
after you have removed the side cables fold it back and remove the 2 bolts holding the rear tack strip. at that point you can remove the rear foldover staples and lift the top off with the window intact.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/DSC03383.jpg
at that point you can remove the staples from the rear bow . the top can be reused we have done it for customers as long as it has not shrunk along the sides. at that point the top is completely accessible to restore or remove
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/DSC03385.jpg
ALWAYS put a cushion or foam as shown along the front windshield header as the triangle points that the top is tacked to will destroy the vinyl and it is not fun to replace if you dont have to. To install the top the pads and rear window come first and top goes on back to front after key measurements are made.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/Chevelle%20123/DSC03711.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/Chevelle%20123/DSC03814.jpg
I am only posting this to help here You have to mark the top frame before you remove it or you will create alignment nightmares. Stans top had been ill aligned and the drivers side rear bow was actually 3/4 of an inch lower when the last top was installed . His top closed crooked and an arm was bent . you can spent hours , days making it go back up straight and the refitting the glass.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/jimbrady61/Chevelle%20123/Left_Rear1-1.jpg
We got Stan all straightened out . Convertibles tops can be a handfull and there are many adjustments all over them that can be tricky.

Jim