Does anyone know what the difference is in the upper piston panels, are manual and power
top panels the same??????????

Rick's 72 ragtop

Interior pieces between manual and power tops are the same, the actual top frame is different.

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv
55 chevy prostreet

I was curious, in the Year One catalog it lists different ones, I've located both upper panels and arm rest panels for $150 for the set, but not sure of which kind (power/manual) they are out of. Aren't most 68-72 convertibles power tops????????

I have interchanged pieces between non and power cars without a problem. Manual top versions have a spring that fits in place of the piston, but is mounted the same way. Not all 68-72s are power tops, im sure most are but I have had a 68 malibu with a manual top and a 70ss with a manual top.

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv
55 chevy prostreet

Rick, your '72 is probably the same setup as my '69: The only difference in the upper panels is actually in the flat, grained steel insert that screws in at the top of the upper panel to cover the frame mechanism. The manual top insert has a cutout at the front for the hold down hook to come through whereas the power top panel has no cut out.
Rich