Classic GM Convertible Tops: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac
General Motors built convertibles in nearly every division for decades: Chevrolet Impalas and Chevelles, Pontiac GTOs and Catalinas, Oldsmobile Cutlasses, Buick Skylarks, and Cadillac Eldorados and DeVilles. Many of these cars are now prized classics, and the top is one of the most visible parts of any restoration. Don's Auto Interiors & Tops has installed tops on classic American convertibles in Alsip since 1977.
Classic GM convertibles we see
- Chevrolet: Bel Air, Impala, Chevelle, Malibu, Corvair, and more. Our online catalog lists tops for the 1958 Impala.
- Pontiac: GTO, LeMans, Catalina, Bonneville
- Oldsmobile: Cutlass, 442, Ninety-Eight
- Buick: Skylark, Electra, LeSabre
- Cadillac: DeVille and Eldorado
For Camaros and Corvettes, see our dedicated Camaro and Corvette pages.
What goes into a classic convertible top job
On a classic, the top is a system, and decades of use affect every part of it:
- Top cover: vinyl in most cases, in a color and grain suited to the car
- Rear window: plastic on many classics, with glass on some later cars
- Pads: usually compressed or deteriorated on original cars
- Well liner: the fabric pocket the top folds into, often torn or missing
- Tack strips: the strips the top is fastened to, which may no longer hold well
- Weatherstripping: often hard and cracked
- Frame: pivots wear, linkages bend, and adjustment drifts over the years
- Hydraulics: many GM convertibles have hydraulic power tops with a pump, cylinders, and hoses
We inspect all of this before quoting, so your estimate reflects the whole job, not just the fabric.
For the cover itself, many classic GM tops we install are built with Haartz fabric so the grain and hand match what restorers expect.
Power tops on classic GM cars
Hydraulic power tops were common on GM convertibles. Over time, cylinders leak, hoses harden, and pumps weaken. Symptoms include a top that rises slowly, goes up unevenly, or won't latch. Fluid stains in the top well are an early warning. We repair hydraulic systems and adjust frames. See convertible top repair.
Restoration goals
Tell us how the car will be used:
- Driver: durability and a good fit come first.
- Cruise nights and local shows: appearance and clean lines matter more.
- Judged events: materials, color, and details matter most.
We'll plan the job around your goals and talk through material and color choices for your car.
Do the interior at the same time
On a restoration, the top and interior should work together. We build classic interiors from scratch in the same shop: seats, door panels, carpet, and headliners. See classic car interiors.
Timing your project
Top installations take 8 to 12 hours of shop time. Classic jobs can take longer when frame, tack strip, or hydraulic work turns up. Winter is an ideal time to schedule, so the car is ready when cruise nights start. In the south suburbs, see our Tinley Park page for local car culture.
Before you call
Photos help. Send:
- The car with the top up, from the side and rear
- The top folded, if it still folds
- Close-ups of the rear window, pads, and any tears
- The top well, to show fluid stains or liner condition
Plastic windows on classics
Many classic GM convertibles have plastic rear windows that cloud, yellow, and crack with age, especially when the top is folded in cold weather. If the rest of the top is sound, ask whether replacing the window is an option. On a classic being restored, a complete new top with a new window is usually the cleaner result.
Warranty
Classic GM convertible top replacements include a 3-year materials warranty and a 100% fit guarantee. Every repair gets a free 90-day workmanship warranty. Coverage ranges from 3 months to 3 years depending on the service. Full terms live on /warranty.
Get an estimate
Call (708) 371-8020 or send your car's year, model, and photos. Don's Auto Interiors & Tops is at 11937 S. Cicero Ave in Alsip, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently asked questions
Do you carry tops for classic Chevrolets like the Impala?
Our online catalog lists tops for many classic models, including the 1958 Chevrolet Impala. If your car isn't listed, call us and we'll check what's available.
Should I replace the pads and well liner with the top?
On most classic convertibles, yes, if they're original or worn. Compressed pads and torn well liners affect how the new top looks and how well it folds.
Can you fix a power top on a classic GM car?
Yes. Many classic GM convertibles have hydraulic power tops. We repair hydraulic systems and adjust frames.
Related
Request a free estimate or call (708) 371-8020.