1977 Trans Am T-Tops?

[Lantzwl]

Hi again, how do I know what type of T Tops I have on my 1977 T/A?

The glass touches in the center or a tiny gap, like a 1/8” maybe.

 

[FH212]

I believe those were the Cars & Concepts T-Tops or something like that.

My memory is not the best.

They were an aftermarket T-Top company that dealers would commission to install T-Tops into hardtop TA's.

 

[Maxthe222]

It is absolutely an aftermarket CNC Cars N' Concepts roof.

It was not factory equipment; it was likely done at the dealer or aftermarket sunroof shop at the time.

 

[Hammer]

In the 70’s there were quite a few concept designs for what we now call T-Tops and a few were:

Cars and concepts - much like yours pictured above. The tops were huge at nearly 3 foot wide and 3 1/2 foot long with only a bar in the center.
American T-Tops - these were about an inch wider than the original Hurst Hatches design and even had two handles to secure them to the car.
Hurst Hatches - 1st design - GM sent the 50th Anniversary Trans Ams to have these cut into the roof of the car by Hurst Performance and installed.
However they leaked so badly most were recalled and the second gen design was installed. But the glass on both designs was about a foot wide and about a foot and a half in length with tinted glass and an H/H emblem into the glass. These used the headliner to retain shape of the hatches. They still make the replacement rubber seal for this design of T-tops.

Hurst Hatches - 2nd design = GM sent the cars back to Hurst Performance and the opening of the metal in the roof was widened, a u shaped plastic part held up the headliner and the rubber seal that kept the rain out was a different design.

Fisher T-Tops - possibly the best design and were nearly 1 1/2 foot wide and 2 1/4 foot long. But these tops was designed by GM engineers and installed in the GM factory as a better design to the Hurst Hatches. These tops leaked the least of them all of them.

 

[Roadking77]

They do look like Cars and Concepts.

I have been and am still researching these tops and have them on my car, too.

They were installed at the Cars N Concepts facility in Detroit.

The Owner of CnC was Dick Chrysler. Mr. Chrysler was an employee of Hurst, then branched out on his own to start CnC.

He eventually bought Hurst.

The CNC design was used as the 3rd Gen t tops model.

Cars were shipped from the factory to CNC, tops installed, and then sent to dealers.

Much the same as how the Hurst tops were installed.

CNC also did convertible conversions on other makes as well.

As to the tops on your car, you will not find replacement parts unless they are from another CNC car.

Take good care of what you have.

 

[Hammer]

Well said, RoadKing77!

I want to add an interesting note: although any car could be sent to CNC for tops from the factory, Camaro’s too, and then to dealers.

Only the Hurst Performance Hurst Hatches were recognized by GM with a GM factory RPO Code Y82 to be a true factory installation.

Hurst performances Hurst hatches in 1976 were the ONLY factory installation of tops off the GM property, as indicated by my original build sheet, which still shows it in its “send to:” address as factory installed.

 

[Roadking77]

Thanks, Hammer.

CNC also did grand prix's, and I am sure other GM products did.

I have a list of cars they did mods, too, but I do not have it in front of me.

They did more than just hatch roofs.

I have heard a lot of people saying that these tops were installed locally by 'the sunroof doctor' type shops.

I spoke with an engineer at a show who worked for CNC, and he confirmed with his knowledge and period photos of their factory that they were indeed installed in Michigan, NOT local dealers.

I have done some research chasing things down on the net; I am planning a trip to the AACA Library in Hershey to see if I can find any more info.

The one thing I do not know is how much the upcharge for these was.