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Why doesn't Chevrolet make a hard top convertible Vette?

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Old 03-29-2011, 09:22 PM
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Don Draper
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Default Why doesn't Chevrolet make a hard top convertible Vette?
I am a Vert Vette owner 2008 and I love the car. Been a long time GM (chevy) family, but one of the things I always hoped for is a hard top vert out of the GM house....not sure why they don't?

If not mistaken they did it with the Cadillac XLR, which I think is on a vette chasis?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Don
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:28 PM
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Marc V.
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You're right. The XLR (or XLR-V) was basically a hard top convertible Vette. But had very poor sales.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Marc V.
You're right. The XLR (or XLR-V) was basically a hard top convertible Vette. But had very poor sales.
And was subsequently dropped from the Cadillac model lineup.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:39 PM
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Wish they would make the ZR1 a convertible
 
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:40 PM
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weight, engineering cost, production cost, styling (XLR didn't sell well), and I'm sure there are other reasons.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:42 PM
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i want a narrow body/ zr1/ hrd top vert


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Old 03-29-2011, 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ub2slow2
Wish they would make the ZR1 a convertible
You will never see it IMO. Too much weight associated with a vert.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:45 PM
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Besides being a LOT less money, the soft top is really an outstanding design! There are lots of cons to consider with a hard top convertible.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:46 PM
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my old man has an 06 XLR-V.

it's ghey
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SSTEVEGS
There are lots of cons to consider with a hard top convertible.
Like ZERO storage when top is down.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Marc V.
You will never see it IMO. Too much weight associated with a vert.
But would love to see the option in CF or Plastic panels to save weight .BTW the Caddy XLR was a hot design for its' time IMO
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:55 PM
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Default Watch what you wish for
As just recently seen in Ecklers corvette catalog, now you too can be like the Miata crowd, for $3200.

http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-hard...2005-2011.html
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Marc V.
Like ZERO storage when top is down.
That would be it for me. I need a decent trunk and the hard top takes up all that space.
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Marc V.
You will never see it IMO. Too much weight associated with a vert.
Yes, those extra 14 pounds over a coupe would be more than that poor little LS9 could deal with....
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Linecapt
As just recently seen in Ecklers corvette catalog, now you too can be like the Miata crowd, for $3200.

http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-hard...2005-2011.html
these things are a MAJOR PIA. A friend of mine has a Thunderbird with the hardtop and it's very difficult not to scratch it even with tons of TLC. It has lived most of its life on a rack in a corner of the garage, covered with an old blanket to try and keep the dust off it.
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
Yes, those extra 14 pounds over a coupe would be more than that poor little LS9 could deal with....
Why do you think they use carbon fiber panels, aluminum and magnesium suspension componants and balsa wood in the floors? Every pound counts.
Last edited by Marc V.; 03-29-2011 at 10:13 PM.
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
Yes, those extra 14 pounds over a coupe would be more than that poor little LS9 could deal with....
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To Why doesn't Chevrolet make a hard top convertible Vette?

Old 03-29-2011, 10:10 PM
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Marc V.
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Originally Posted by Linecapt
As just recently seen in Ecklers corvette catalog, now you too can be like the Miata crowd, for $3200.

http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-hard...2005-2011.html
That's NOT a convertible.
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:13 PM
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355Spider
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Because Chevy is 5 years behind the Europeans with the Vette. Expect a hardtop vert and pdk tranny in about 2014.
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Old 03-29-2011, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 355Spider
Expect a hardtop vert and pdk tranny in about 2014.
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