1984 380 has no hard top--effect on value?

[dmotl]

Rats, the car I was following has no hard top
no clue as to how this effects market value
It is not an issue with me as it save the hassle of storing the top
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks

[bwheitman]

are you going to drive the car every season? If so you will need the hard top, otherwise your soft top will not last very long. Make sure you do your homework on that 380, that it has the double chain and the maintenance is up to spec. I would not want an SL that didn't have the hard top, but I drive mine every day. Good luck!
Brian

[dmotl]

I thought all 83 and 84 380s had the double chain?

Will drive only on sunny Sundays--so do not need hard top

still concerned that it will devalue the auto by a fair amount.

[Walrus]

If you can find one, a hardtop will run you about $500 american (swings wildly from $150 to $900 or so when I was looking for one). Perhaps you can use this info for leverage on the deal?

I use my hardtop (came with the car I bought... was looking for a top to modify to make a "Targa" option for the rare warmer winter days) from Thanksgiving to Easter, But i do not drive my car if inclement weather is upon me. To date, My car has not been in the rain during my ownership. The hard top is just more civilized during the cold months here in the south.

Just did a quick look on ebay... item 7970349752 is a hardtop for auction. Also came with the soft-top cover (deck), he called the "flipper"???

[bwheitman]

I am not quite sure about the years of the timing chain issue, just make sure it has a double. The hard top is a large piece of the package that comes with the car. I have been told by many collectors to not even consider purchasing an SL without the hard top because it such an important part of the car. You could probably purchase one after you acquire the vehicle, but then you got to get the paint to match, have it shipped or go pick it up. Unless this is such a wonderful example, I would pass, there are plenty of other SL's out there that have a hard top that need a good home. If you want to ask for a reduction of price, ask youself what it would take to replace it, your time, the cost of purchase, painting and etc.. Is the price discounted that much if any? Good luck!
Brian

[ch7ckc]

Dmotl...the last time I looked at an online pricing guide,it indicated to subtract $1500 for no hardtop.Only the 1984 and 1985 380's had the double chain from factory.

Best Regards,ch7ckc

[Strife]

If I were going to keep it "forever" and only drove in the summer, I wouldn't worry about it, but I'd deduct at least 1500 from the purchase price. The rear glass alone is supposed to cost that much to replace! Then, there is the matter of actually getting one (shipped, or going out to get it).

[Robert Mowbray]

Mine's still for sale and has the hard top!!

[RickM]

I agree with most of the above comments.

$500 is about the average for a top. Also plan on paying for a repaint as you may not find in a matching color. If you store the car during the winter then I'd suggest a good cover if you dont have it folded away. The dust and humidity will make it look tattered in no time. IMO, the best cover for indoor storage is one made of Tyvek. I found one on Ebay for $39.

[Mick McGuiness]

Just in case you wish to buy a hard top, I have an extra one which I do not need.

Mick
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