APE Hardtop Hardware Updatw

[ProfessorB]

For background, I acquired this top with the car. The seller had owned the car for eights months and knew nothing about the top and had never had it on the car. I received the top, a cover for it, no windows and (I thought) no hardware. He knew nothing about the top...and neither did I. I'm new at Cobras and get most of my info and help thru the kindness of members here. Since getting the car I have changed/upgraded a few things and now I'm addressing the top. I HAVE figured out that the guy who owned the car before my seller DID run the top. But anyway, for a new guy like me it's a puzzle I'm slowly solving (again, with the help I've received here.
I managed to locate and buy some windows from a member of this website (Thanks Badfish) but still had no clue on hardware or installation. I posted a thread looking for original literature (would still like to get that). Didn't locate literature, but did receive lots of info and help. The first thing I did was build a "pulley system" to take the top off and on the car without help. It took me longer than expected but I'm pleased with the results. Just placing the top on the car without hardware gave me a better understanding of it. First, I learned that the visors are in the way. Also, I had purchased the Eckler's early Corvette rear mounts, which are great quality, based on input I received here. Also, it appears the the rear "post" of the top lines up correctly with the door edge. I had advised that is needed, and if that isn't the case then I may need to adjust windshield angle. That's when it occurred to me...this top HAS been on the car, but it was two owners ago.
Next, on a hunch, I took a look into a small box of oddball stuff that came with the car and did find some hardware. I do have the front clips and ONE rear clamp. This rear clamp looks for all the world like a modified "Quick Link" usd to join two pieces of chain. Is it?

And finally, it was suggested on here that I change out the window hinges with something stronger. I would like to share this info which I found somewhere on the web while researching. They are quick-disconnect UNDRILLED steel hinges availe from McMaster-Carr. Being un-drilled, I can drill them to match the existing holes in the top and windows. Part #15185A29 ($22 a piece)
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So here's my thoughts questions:

#1) Even tho the Eckler's kit is very nice, I've got the heebie-jeebies about putting holes in the body if I don't have to. I mean, what if some day I sell the hardtop and then want a tonneau cover? (I know, that's LOTS of holes in my body). So I think I will use that C-clamp looking thing, but I only have ONE. Are they available anywhere? Or (this is what I'm thinking) should I just fabricate one out of a Quick Link?

2) I have learned from guys on here that the front clips don't do much of the holding. I'm intrigued by that fact. What I'd like to do is just have ONE clip in the very center in the front. (And that's probably so I "feel" better and secure going down the road. To do that, I would use an extra visor mount....so I would have to drill and tap the center of the top of the windshield frame. Can anybody see a problem with doing that? Or, any other thoughts on that?
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Below are pictures of the clips, rear "C-clamp" that I DO have, the hinges, and the top suspended on my pulley "system".Tpclip2.jpgClamp.jpgHINGE.jpgPulleys.jpg

[CraigS]

Those hinges will be perfect. You can use the link clamp or possibly find an appropriate sized C-clamp. I do like the washers that were used to mod the link so the pressure is spread over a larger area. I am a little concerned about using one clamp to the windshield. It may work OK but it could lead to the top slowly deforming as you tighten the one clamp to try to get the top sealed to the w/s to keep out rain. Nice work on the pulley and rope lift BTW.

[ProfessorB]

Those hinges will be perfect. You can use the link clamp or possibly find an appropriate sized C-clamp. I do like the washers that were used to mod the link so the pressure is spread over a larger area. I am a little concerned about using one clamp to the windshield. It may work OK but it could lead to the top slowly deforming as you tighten the one clamp to try to get the top sealed to the w/s to keep out rain. Nice work on the pulley and rope lift BTW.

Thanks for the input, Craig. About the one clip in the center vs, two clips. My thought about ONE clip in the center is I won't have to remove my visors every time I want to use the top. And secondly, having that center clip is mostly for peace of mind, knowing that at least something is securing the front.... like a wearing a seatbelt, I'm not planning on having it tight. The car has no wipers (except for Rain-X), this is mostly for lower temperatures and, also, since I HAVE the top it should be able to be iused. My main question is does anybody foresee a problem drilling and tapping the windshield frame while still installed on the vehicle?

[CraigS]

Got it. Sorry I don't remember this detail. Can you look at the existing holes for the visors? Do they go through the w/s frame into the channel where a soft top would fit? Or are they lower (closer to the glass) than that? If they are lower, would you drilling into the channel for your holes work? You might need to make a longer small bent piece to get it's end low enough to clear the fiberglass but that would be pretty easy to do. BTW, you might search for threads on installing that classic rear view mirror that mounted to a vertical rod that attached somehow to the w/s frame for ideas.