Cluster F***!

[Mr442]

The shop my son works at is in the middle of a 66 GTO restoration.  A couple weeks ago they took it to another shop to have the convertible top installed.  That guy never touched it in the week he had it, so they contacted me to see if I was interested in doing it at their shop.  They needed to get busy on re-assembly, and could not wait on it to come back to them.

I have done 3 convertible tops in the past, during my many years of doing auto upholstery on the side.  I really don't care to do them, but it pays good, isn't all that hard to do as a general rule, but they are somewhat contrary.  So I said what the hell, and took on the job.  I had to schedule some vacation time, but it was no big deal.

I go up last Tuesday and find the top frame out of the car, along with all other parts and related pieces.   
Now I know why the other guy didn't touch the thing.  I end up spending the day installing the rear quarter windows and mechanisms, then the top cylinders, brackets and frame.  That was after I solved the puzzle of what went where.  Seems like the guy who took it all apart had a case of brain fade.

During the day, the shop owner decided the new rear window should have a brass zipper to be correct, instead of the plastic zipper with the top.  They end up returning the top to the vendor and ordering another top with correct zipper.  It comes in on Friday, so I go up yesterday to do the install.

Guess what?  They did not have a top, just the rear apron/window with the correct zipper.  They had returned the top to the vendor, going straight to the top manufacturer to save time, and somewhere something got screwed up, and they did not get everything they needed.   I spent half the day up there yesterday, installing everything except the actual top.  They called and had another top shipped, saying it should be here in a day or two.

This morning I get a call from my son, the top is there.  He also goes through the packaging to ensure ALL the pieces are included.  I've got errands to run tomorrow, so I will go back on Thursday and part of Friday to finish up.  I'll end up using an extra vacation day, and making one extra trip up and back, but I will charge for it.

This type of crap is exactly why I don't like installing stuff, someone else has purchased elsewhere.  I could have gotten everything through my usual supplier and been done by now.

One good thing is, I used this as a test to see if I want to retire later this year and open a shop.  I'd definitely have more control.

[me]

So much for your vacation huh? 

[Mr442]

Just an update.

After all day Thursday and Friday, and a couple hours on Saturday, the top is on the car, but I need to go back and finish it up.  I have to remove the rear tack strip and reposition the bottom corner of the back window, install the hide-em welt on the rear bow, and finally take the heat gun to it to release a few wrinkles.  It is coming out real nice, but it has been a time consuming PITA.

The top its self was cut very closely, I did not have much extra material to play with.  That caused some difficulty in fitting it.

And folks wonder why it costs so much to get things like this done   I'll have a full four and a half days of time tied up in this job by the time I'm done.

[Mr442]

40.5 hours, a few trips to Crawfordsville, but I got the top done Saturday night.  It came out real nice if I do say so myself.  A couple of minor ripples in the fabric, and the back window is smootha nd tight.  I hope they are pleased, so I can hammer them with the bill.

[Exterminator]

What; no pictures?

[me]

40.5 hours, a few trips to Crawfordsville, but I got the top done Saturday night.  It came out real nice if I do say so myself.  A couple of minor ripples in the fabric, and the back window is smootha nd tight.  I hope they are pleased, so I can hammer them with the bill.

I know you're glad to get that off of your list of to do's. 

[Mr442]

What; no pictures?

I'll get some pics when the car is finished.