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1971-76 GM "Scissor" Convertible Top Frame Rack for Cadillac Eldorado & B-Body

$ 348.45

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Warranty: No
  • Returns Accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Brand: General Motors
  • Condition: PLEASE READ LISTING BEFORE BUYING~! This is a MOSTLY COMPLETE 1971-76 Convertible top frame REBUILDABLE CORE as used on the full sized convertibles of the era. PICKUP PREFERRED BUT WILL CONSIDER SHIPPING WITH UPS FREIGHT AT YOUR EXPENSE.

    Description

    ** THIS CONVERTIBLE RACK IS A REBUILDABLE CORE **
    ITEM:
    G.M. CONVERTIBLE TOP FRAME/RACK ASSEMBLY, AS USED IN THE FULL SIZED 1971-76 CONVERTIBLES.
    DONOR CAR:
    1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
    COMPATABILITY:
    1971-76 Cadillac Eldorado and the 1971-75 "B-Body" Convertibles (Impala/Caprice, LeSabre/Centurion, Delta 88, Bonneville/Grandville).
    CONDITION:
    Rebuildable CORE (see below for what that means) or for Parts.  Fair/Average Condition.
    DETAILS:
    This convertible frame assembly was removed from a Cadillac Eldorado that had 80K miles on it.  Unfortunately, the car sat outdoors next to a house for 15 years, unused.  Luckily, the top pretty much stayed sealed and offered some protection for the frame....as the car rotted from the lower end.  The red Eldorado in the pictures is the actual donor car, while the top covering was still on.  As you can see, it lays properly on the windshield and does not have any bulges in the canvas from incorrect frame movement.
    I stripped the canvas from the top prior to removal.  The header bow was the GM original and had rotted out from moisture retention like most do after 49 years.  It was removed and thrown away, useless.  I slowly lowered the frame (see pics) to show that it "worked" correctly when collapsing.  I am quite experienced with these top frames, and did not see any problems with the basic functionality.  The top works better with the canvas on and the wires attached, of course, but for a test, this went well.  After the frame was collapsed, I removed it from the car and did a further inspection.  The rear bow -- again, like most 49 year old rear bows on GM convertibles that have sat a long time - is rotted and of no use.  But I left it in place to provide strength for transport or shipping, etc.  BOTH the header bow part and the rear bow part are reproduced and readily available....just like all of the other small components (weatherstrips, pads, cables, tack strips, etc).
    The frame has been tied together with a commercial grade strap.
    I call this a CORE because it's rebuildable if you want to make it fully operational again (Many body/trim shops disassemble these, blast them, paint them, and reassemble them to look like new).  The swing arms, gears, and other rails are functional.  There is some surface rust and some decay rust in various spots, but again, most frames of this age will have this.  This could be a great parts "donor frame", if yours is bent.  I've taken adequate pictures from many angles to show it's overall condition.  There is no warranty.
    SHIPPING:
    It's a HEAVY rack when out of the car, around 125 pounds(?).  It is nice and compact however, but I don't have a box that can retain something of that weight.  If you want it shipped, please message me for details.   I will consider UPS or UPS Freight (discounted).  There will be a packing fee to place it into a heavy tarp and wrap it tight with commercial grade tape.  Shipping companies have found this acceptable in the past.  U-Ship is also an option but they have been unreliable lately due to the Covid situation.
    PICKUP CAN EITHER BE IN THE RURAL CHICAGO REGION OR IN NORTHWEST INDIANA.
    These racks are becoming quite scarce....they were low production to begin with, and now 50 years has passed since the first ones were made.  I also have some individual frame parts available - message me if you need a specific part.
    ** ALSO AVAILABLE: POWER TOP MOTORS, LATCHES, SIDE GLASS, HEADERS & BOWS, FULL TOP MECHANISMS, REGULATORS, ETC.  CHECK OUT MY eBAY STORE FOR MORE GREAT ITEMS OR SEND ME A MESSAGE. ~ **