Going Topless in So. Cal

[jayedeluxe]

I'm looking for advice on my 1970 2000. I want to fill all side marker holes, fill all the tonneau/soft top snap holes, and paint the car. I'm in San Diego and don't ever plan on getting a soft top or hard top. It will be a summer car, or whenever the weather is nice ( which is pretty much all the time). What do you all think about removing the wiper motor and wiper shafts from the car, then fill those holes as well. It looks like it may be a pain to remove the motor. From under the dash ?

[Linda]

You might have the car out and run into some rain, then a tonneau cover is nice.Or on a hot day the tonneau keeps the interior cool and stuff out of sight. In the winter with the tonneau 1/2 zipped it is warmer and the heater keeps the air contained some.
Love the tonneau, hate the soft top. I personally like the chromed posties and such.
Linda

[jhayden]

Congratulations on your post!

Perhaps second only to engine swaps, you picked the topic most likely to trigger feedback -- hold on for the onslaught!

Jon

btw, a sincere welcome to this forum

[jayedeluxe]

Thanks Jon. I'm looking ahead to a possible engine swap out in the future, hahaha !!!

[jayedeluxe]

And thanks Linda, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a full time open cockpit. I remember someone in this group talked about going permanently topless, but I can't seem to find the thread. I'd like to hear opinions, especially on the wiper motor removal idea I have.

[jayedeluxe]

I'll post some pictures when I figure out how... hahaha

[notoptoy]

Not sure in CA, but safety inspections in some states require that the Wipers be functional - NC used to even check the rubber on the blades and aiming of the headlights. They don't on classics anymore. My wipers haven't worked in a while, and I have not had the motivation to fix them cause I have never needed them, even when caught in a rainstorm - just go faster!
Otherwise, my car was shaved by the PO, and I hate it. I have been putting everything back little by little. The PO did everything you are suggesting with the exception of the wipers - he left them in place but non-functional. Initially I fixed them, but when they stopped working, I didn't worry about it. I know it's something simple in the wiring though.

[RCMike]

No safety inspection in California.

That said, sometimes wipers are nice to have. You cannot always maintain 45-70mph when it is raining..

[GoldHawg]

Unless, this is a hugely strong desire on your part to do this, I would highly advise against it. You will not (God-willing) be the last owner of this car, and very few people would want to have to undo what you're considering. Yes it is your car, but there is a bit of stewardship in it. My brother once told me about houses--you don't buy a house for you, you buy the house that someone will buy from you. A car is clearly not the same thing, but there is a little of that truth in it.

[C.Costine]

I certainly wouldn't do that here in NH. Big black clouds will suddenly pop up out of bright blue sky


The wiper motor is quick and easy to remove from an early car.

[2mAn]

I never had a top on my car, took the wiper arms off and the only time it was rough was driving to Solvang where the cool coastal breeze was really cold at ~70mph.

Same problem in the beginning of this year when I would wake up early to go on canyon runs. That said, its doable.

Its your car and you can do whatever you want, but the further you deviate from OEM stock, the smaller your pool of potential buyers should you ever decide to sell the car.

I personally cant stand the sidemarkers that they put on the '70 so Im all for shaving them! haha ... full disclosure: someone had added the front sidemarkers on my 68 and they eventually grew on me.

My advice. Remove the soft top. Take the wiper blades off (the motor is a bit of a pain to remove) and get a tonneau cover.

[FergO2k]

+1 to all that Simon just said. I love running with the tonneau, driver side open only. When you stop somewhere you can just zip up one side, else always carrying everything of value in a backpack.

[zion73]

“What do you all think about removing the wiper motor and wiper shafts from the car, then fill those holes as well.”

I think somewhere in the future someone will curse you as the PO who got rid of his car’s wipers AND decided to fill the holes-making it even more difficult to return it to stock. So far my roadster is an in town only car and sits in the garage when not running around locally. I have yet to use the wipers have no soft top and a hard top I don't even like to look at much less put it on my car.

[todd lorber]

I've had my car for about 25 years and have never had a top (topless 69). Now that I'm refurbing the car I will be putting a top on it.
If you ever go on road trips that are more than 2 days, the sun can beat the heck out you. I'm sure I have some cancer seeded from prior trips to Mexico and through California.

As far as the sidelight markers, I agree about the '70's looking clunky. I'm used to them on my Z, but I would prefer that that car had lights similar to the '69's.

[jayedeluxe]

Car is staying in the family so I don't think the selling of the car really plays into any plans I have for it.