Other: ARO/Putt Georgi '60 Lark Convertible Tops?

[jfbrink]

Hey, all,

I need to get a top installed on my '60 Lark before the SoCal rainy season starts. Has anyone tried a top from ARO/Putt Georgi in New York?

This is their page for Studebaker tops: LINK

The are the only top supplier I can find that lists a separate part number for the 1960 model year. My hope is that it would have the curved-windshield profile.

Can anyone confirm or deny this assumption?

Thanks,

Jesse.

[dpson]

I have been told the difference is due to the height of the top. The top was lowered by an inch or two starting in 1961 to make the cars look sportier.

[StudeRich]

The Term is not "Curved" Windshield, it's "Wraparound".

The 1960 Top probably is all by itself, but the 1961 and '62 Top is also for a Wraparound Windshield.
Curved Windshields started in 1963 and are the same on 1964 Convertibles.
So obviously the Top has to fit those windshields.

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

I knew an automotive upholsterer and have seen tops installed on several Lark convertibles. The original tops were very precisely made, including a sewn bead that located the rear of the top and window assembly underneath the rear stainless steel trim strip. I don’t remember the details at the front, but I assume it was also tailored for a correct fit.
All of the replacement tops that I had seen installed just had extra material at the front and rear.. you were supposed to install the rear by installing the rear trim strip by placing over the top material, installing the snap screws, and finally trimming the excess material by using a razor blade at the back edge of the rear trim piece. I remember seeing trimming at the front, also. So, aftermarket tops may be slightly universal for all years of Lark applications.

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

Another possible reason for a 1960 only application was that the inside of the top material was tan color, matching the color of the painted top mechanism. ‘61 thru ‘64 was black on the inside, again matching the black painted top frame.

[NCDave51]

Hey, all,

I need to get a top installed on my '60 Lark before the SoCal rainy season starts. Has anyone tried a top from ARO/Putt Georgi in New York?

This is their page for Studebaker tops: LINK

The are the only top supplier I can find that lists a separate part number for the 1960 model year. My hope is that it would have the curved-windshield profile.

Can anyone confirm or deny this assumption?

Thanks,

Jesse.

Putt Georgi is an excellent supplier of tops for one very important reason: they purchased the ARO company in 2000. ARO was the OEM supplier to almost all the leading automotive marques in the early 20th century and therefore had ALL the original drawings to cut their patterns from. The pattern number is the precise number used by OEMs.

While their communication is abrasive (he hates selling to private installers) and the website is clunky and jumbled, their workmanship is obsessively good. I used them for my Willys Jeepster so I can’t vouch for Studebakers, but their range and quality is outstanding.

[jfbrink]

Thanks NCDave51, that confirms my impression from what information I could find on the Internet, as well as their own site.

My next issue is finding a shop in Los Angeles to do the job. Does anyone have any recommendations in that regard? As Studebakercenteroforegon suggests, top installation is a real art/craft, and I haven't found a shop I'm convinced is really up to the challenge.

Best,

Jesse.

[StudeRich]

Maybe try contacting Jay Leno, since you are roughly in his Neighborhood! He has enough Convertibles to know.

[studegary]

Maybe try contacting Jay Leno, since you are roughly in his Neighborhood! He has enough Convertibles to know.

Jay probably has a guy working for him in his shop that does it.

[SScopelli]

This company uses Haartz material, which i have used on my Ford's and Studies..

https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...Regal#packages

Another supplier that uses Haartz. This site lets you chose vinyl or cloth.

https://www.topsonline.com/model/Con...d_Daytona.html

Here is another supplier of tops.. page 71

http://electrontops.com/files/american16.pdf

Honestly, Tops are somewhat easy to install. Stude manual give the rear bow from back dimension and just have a good tack hammer or staple gun.

It is extremely time consuming. removing all the upper window seal and seal tracks and real belt molding. Getting the back side and plastic curtain tacked right requires real patience. The big issue is if the tack strips are used up or dried out..

The tops I have gotten have center marks and you just have to make sure L/R center is correct.