Are all Hard Tops created equal?

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Got a question for you guys...Are all Hard Tops exactly the same size?

In other words would a top from a '77 fit on an '81?

How can you tell them apart? i.e. mine has vent windows on the sides in the back.

Are there any markings on hard top?
 
This is from SOR... 8/76-1984
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A friend had a hardtop from a 78 we also raided the 2f, 4 speed, and disc front end from on his 73 before going to a soft top so I'd like to say it would work. Your results may vary.
 
To my knowledge, the general shape of hard top stayed the same.

The number of bolts holding the top down on the windshield changed.

The 1962 vintage had a hi "B" pillar post.

The rear door is different, accordion (1963 - late 60"s, flip up or hatch back type(late 60's -early production 1975) and the ambi doors (late production 75-83).


The 1977 should bolt right on your 1981.
 
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Yes and no. Overall basically the same as the others noted. D'Animal is correct, I think that vintage top will fit pretty good.

For general info, there are a few other small differences I noticed.

I have a 73, and replaced some of the hard top on it after a roll years ago. The late 60's through early 70's up till 75 with the wipers on top of the windsheild have 4 bolts across the peice that rivets to the fiberglass in the front. They also have notches for the wiper arms, and a an extra notch in them for right hand drive models and flipped wipers. Also the front overhang is slightly longer with the wipers on top. At least on my 73. I put a fiberglass peice back on it, from a 75 and up. the front overhang was shorter because the wipers would no longer flip all the way out, off the glass like they did originally. Also the rivit pattern for the rain gutters was slightly different, with more rivets in the B-pillar area for strength I assumed. The part above the windshield could be trimmed and dirlled to fit, but I opted to switch the two out. The rivet pattern in the fiberglass was the same for that peice.

The fiberglass peice bolted up the same to the top panels, aside from lacking the proper open holes for the dome light in early 70's hardtops that bolts up high on the inside of the raingutter.

I think the tub bolt patterns are all the same.

Only other variation I can think off may be slight differences in the door openings depending on late or early model doors. And of course the rear door configurations.
 

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