• Interior Convertible Top Frame
    When you remove the old top and frame from a car such as the one we've been working on, there will be a high degree of dry rot. This frame looked okay, but appearances can be deceiving....
    When you remove the old top and frame from a car such as the one we've been working on, th

When you get right down to it, isn't this the reason we have nice interiors and weatherproof convertible tops? When you need to get out of the rain, you want a comfortable place to sit and relax. Special thanks to interior expert Elbert Efird for installing our Kee Auto Top and covering the door panels with Arctic Ice from East Coast Leather to match the Recaro seats.

Compared to what the original top looked like when we initially brought the car to the shop, you'll have to agree it's quite an improvement. In this, the final article on the build of the '68 Hotchkis Performance Camaro Convertible, we'll take you through the details of how to refurbish old convertible tops and install a leather interior that'll last for years to come.

  • Interior Convertible Top Frame
    ...Complete disassembly consists of ripping and prying the old top off the frame, followed by digging out the old, rotted tacking strips. The header bow was severely rusted, but we were able to save it and take it to Robbie Morrow for powdercoating so it would look decent.
    ...Complete disassembly consists of ripping and prying the old top off the frame, followed
  • Interior Brackets
    More labor finally resulted in the resurrection of the old frame into something onto which we could install the Kee Auto Top vinyl top that Karen Evans St. John helped us choose to complement the interior and paint.
    More labor finally resulted in the resurrection of the old frame into something onto which
  • This shows the power top cylinder and how it attaches to the lifting bracket...
  • Interior Electro Hydraulic Pump
    ...The power top is operated by pressure from the electro-hydraulic pump located behind the back seat cushion.
    ...The power top is operated by pressure from the electro-hydraulic pump located behind th
  • Interior Body By Fisher Manual
    The Body by Fisher manual is a must-have book for figuring out how this goes together, since the regular chassis service and assembly manuals don't cover the convertible top assembly.
    The Body by Fisher manual is a must-have book for figuring out how this goes together, sin
  • Interior Convertible Top Motor
    Here's what you won't find in most articles: the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Removing and refurbishing this top was a royal pain! It turned out the top had been bent when the car was rolled over in the '70s, but the damage wasn't apparent until we had run the covered top up and down a couple of times and bent the crap out of the already weakened framerail on the side of the top. Fortunately, Rick's First Gen Camaro has a new replacement top frame...and after the Power Tour, Elbert removed the brand-new Kee Auto Top and reinstalled it with the brand-new frame.
    Here's what you won't find in most articles: the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but t
  • Interior Convertible Top Assembly
    Caution: professional installer...do not attempt this at home. Watching Elbert install the top, he makes it look like a walk in the park--but he also has years of experience...
    Caution: professional installer...do not attempt this at home. Watching Elbert install the
  • Interior Chevy Camaro
    ...Could the average mechanic do this job? Nah, don't even consider it unless you have a spare month or so..
    ...Could the average mechanic do this job? Nah, don't even consider it unless you have a s
  • Check out the fit and finish on this baby!
  • Interior Forming Windsheild Trim
    Bobby Livengood proves once again his deft touch with the hammer, as he gently forms the new windshield and header trim before the windshield is installed. This is the type of detail work that sets a well-restored car apart from the quick in-quick out or cosmetic restorations that you end up redoing when you find your dream car. The convertibles all have this fiberglass well, which channels water away from the trunk area...very important to prevent that sneaky rust from eating your car.
    Bobby Livengood proves once again his deft touch with the hammer, as he gently forms the n
  • Interior Windsheild Installation
    This is a good idea: Put in the windshield before finishing the car! Jimmy Smith from Triumph Auto Glass puts in the new windshield with all-new bonding agents that create a weathertight seal, unlike the old leaky glues!
    This is a good idea: Put in the windshield before finishing the car! Jimmy Smith from Triu
  • Interior Stripping Upholstery
    Back at Elbert's shop, Dustin Efird patiently explained how to strip off the old upholstery ...
    Back at Elbert's shop, Dustin Efird patiently explained how to strip off the old upholster
  • Interior Dashboard Crack Jpg0
    ...and even showed where the dash was covered at one point to hide the ugly cracking, which is so prevalent with these old dashes.
    ...and even showed where the dash was covered at one point to hide the ugly cracking, whic
  • Elbert fitted the carpet in the trunk and utilized cardboard panels for side patterns.
  • Interior Seat Adapters
    We used Wedge Engineering adapters on the bottom of the Recaro Trend Topline seats, which allowed the seats to fit into the stock location.
    We used Wedge Engineering adapters on the bottom of the Recaro Trend Topline seats, which
  • Interior Rear Panels
    Elbert and Dustin prepared the panels for the doors while the rear panels were in position and ready for the rear seat to be installed. Dynamat was applied liberally throughout the doors and floors, and the result is a car that sounds and feels as solid and quiet as a modern vehicle. The Dynamat is a great bang for the buck, even if it is invisible.
    Elbert and Dustin prepared the panels for the doors while the rear panels were in position
  • Zinterior Rear Seats
    Elbert went to great lengths to match the rear seat to the Recaro Trend seats. In addition to the rear seats and Recaros, the convertible boot was made out of the same Arctic Ice leather.
    Elbert went to great lengths to match the rear seat to the Recaro Trend seats. In addition
  • Interior Passenger Seat
    The Recaro Trend seat comes with a wide variety of power options, including basic adjustments, seat heat, and power ventilation. During long drives, you will quickly learn to appreciate the comfort and adjustability of the Recaro seats.
    The Recaro Trend seat comes with a wide variety of power options, including basic adjustme
  • Interior Rear View Mirror
    One of the options we picked out of the Year One catalog is the rearview mirror with a compass and outside- temperature reading, plus it automatically darkens at night when bright lights hit it. Kurt Binkley's daughter Lindsay supervised as he finished the install.
    One of the options we picked out of the Year One catalog is the rearview mirror with a com
  • Interior 1968 Chevy Camaro Interior
    There you have it--a completed interior that's plush enough to be driven anywhere, anytime, and for any length of time.
    There you have it--a completed interior that's plush enough to be driven anywhere, anytime
  • Interior 1968 Chevy Camaro
    With the Country Honk Camaro complete, the summer evenings are refreshing and we're out doing what we love best, cruising. If there's one thing we've learned, it's that no project comes easy. However, provided you have the support of good friends and family, it's just a matter of time before you're hitting the road with the top down too.
    With the Country Honk Camaro complete, the summer evenings are refreshing and we're out do
SOURCE
Livengood Fabrication
300 N. Center Ave., Dept. CHP
Landis
NC  28088
704-902-8179 		Rick's First Gen Camaros
420 Athena Dr., Dept. CHP
Athens
GA  30601
800-359-7717
www.firstgen.com
Custom Powder Coating
410 Enochville Ave., Dept. CHP
Enochville
NC  28081
980-932-7722 		East Coast Leather
1 Crossman Rd., Dept. CHP
Sayreville
NJ  08872
800-354-4401
www.eastcoastleather.com
Hotchkis Performance
12035 Burke St., Ste. 13
Santa Fe Springs
CA  90670
877-466-7655
www.hotchkis.net 		Kee Auto Top Manufacturing Co.
1538 S. Tryon St., Dept. CHP
Charlotte
NC  28203
704-332-8213
www.keeautotop.com
Year One
PO Box 129
Tucker
GA  30085
800-932-7663
770-496-1949
www.nextgenparts.com/mustang 		Country Classic Interior
1450 Pine Ridge Rd., Dept. CHP
China Grove
NC  28023
704-857-1820
Recaro-North America
3275 Lapeer Rd. W., Dept. CHP
Auburn Hills
MI  48326
www.recaro-nao.com 		Triumph Auto Glass
6401 N. Tryon St., Dept. CHP
Charlotte  NC
N/A
(704) 599-9554
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