Coupe vs T-Top
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
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From: Roseville CA
Coupe vs T-Top
This is probably a dumb question, but are all coupes (non-verts) T-Tops? In my search for a C3, I've seen them listed as Coupes, T-Tops, and Convertibles, and Roadsters. What's the difference between all these?
And do all non-verts have a removable rear window?
TIA
And do all non-verts have a removable rear window?
TIA
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Middleburg Florida
From 68-82 they all the cars were either T-tops or convertibles. T-tops would be coupes, convertibles roadsters. I'm not certain what year covertibles stopped being offered, I think it was 76, the last year for the straight back window. Earlier cars were coupes or roadsters as well, but the coupes didn't have T-tops, they had a removable hardtop option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Peekskill NY
From 68-82 they all the cars were either T-tops or convertibles. T-tops would be coupes, convertibles roadsters. I'm not certain what year covertibles stopped being offered, I think it was 76, the last year for the straight back window. Earlier cars were coupes or roadsters as well, but the coupes didn't have T-tops, they had a removable hardtop option.
I believe the term roadster meant there was no top at all.
Glenn
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe the coupes were called coupes with removable roof panels.
I don't remember anyone calling the roof panels t-tops until the popular Olds Cutlass and Buick Regal began having removable roof panels.
I don't see t-top mentioned in the 68-72 sales literature, AIM, or service literature.
Roadsters are cars with a folding cloth top and no wind-up side windows. If a roadster had side windows they were fastened in place.
53-54 Corvettes were roadsters. I believe they have a bag in the trunk to carry the windows in when not bolted in place.
Regards,
Alan
PS: When I think of t-tops I think of the velour interiors that appeared at about the same time. Sorry.
I believe the coupes were called coupes with removable roof panels.
I don't remember anyone calling the roof panels t-tops until the popular Olds Cutlass and Buick Regal began having removable roof panels.
I don't see t-top mentioned in the 68-72 sales literature, AIM, or service literature.
Roadsters are cars with a folding cloth top and no wind-up side windows. If a roadster had side windows they were fastened in place.
53-54 Corvettes were roadsters. I believe they have a bag in the trunk to carry the windows in when not bolted in place.
Regards,
Alan
PS: When I think of t-tops I think of the velour interiors that appeared at about the same time. Sorry.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
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From: Roseville CA
I mainly see this on the for sale web sites. I see the Coupe and T-Top description used more or less equally. And once in a while Roadster.
For example.
1971 Corvette Coupe for sale - $22500 -
1971 Corvette Convertible for sale - $45750 -
1971 Corvette Coupe for sale - $15500 - Cash
1971 Corvette T-Top for sale - $18500 - Cash
1971 Corvette T-Top for sale - $59995 - or best offer
For example.
1971 Corvette Coupe for sale - $22500 -
1971 Corvette Convertible for sale - $45750 -
1971 Corvette Coupe for sale - $15500 - Cash
1971 Corvette T-Top for sale - $18500 - Cash
1971 Corvette T-Top for sale - $59995 - or best offer
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68-82 coupes all had removable roof panels (aka t-tops)
68-82 standard removeable roof panels were body colour fibreglass
78-82 had optional glass removeable roof panels
68-75 available in convertible with optional hard top
68-72 coupes had removeable back window
68-77 coupes had flat back window (aka tunnel back)
78-82 coupes had the fastback style glass rear window
68-82 standard removeable roof panels were body colour fibreglass
78-82 had optional glass removeable roof panels
68-75 available in convertible with optional hard top
68-72 coupes had removeable back window
68-77 coupes had flat back window (aka tunnel back)
78-82 coupes had the fastback style glass rear window
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: North Brunswick NJ
I believe the story goes that the 68 was going to have a one piece removable roof panel. The engineers discovered that if the car wasn't parked on a perfectly level area, the panel would not come off very easy or at all. Hence, a redesign was ordered (2 removeable panels) and the coupes were not available for the first few months of the production run.
Last edited by jaxlt1; Jan 28, 2011 at 04:19 AM.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes. All C3s coupes have t-tops.
A convertible has a folding top and roll up windows. True roadsters do not have roll up windows. The 53-55 models were roadsters and had side curtains for use when the top was up; everything since then has been a convertible.
No. 68-72 only.
Technically, the term "t-top coupe" is redundant since all the coupes have t-tops.
Likewise a "non-vert" by definition, has to be a coupe.
...Convertibles, and Roadsters. What's the difference between all these?...
...do all non-verts have a removable rear window?...
Technically, the term "t-top coupe" is redundant since all the coupes have t-tops.
Likewise a "non-vert" by definition, has to be a coupe.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 29, 2011 at 10:56 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Arlington texas
Learn something new every day. I always thought roadsters didn't have any top including the soft top. I had never bothered to ask anyone.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Anyone remember a Stebro exhaust? Fart can of the 1960s. But we who could not afford V8s were the original cool (Dobie Gillis/Manard style).
Last edited by Paul L; Jan 28, 2011 at 05:36 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Paul,
I remember the name Stebro, but nothing else comes to mind.
When I was ready to get my first car in 1962, I looked at 3 cars... a MG TF, $1100; a Healy of some sort, $???; and a 55 BelAir convertable... I chose the Chevy because it was the cheapest...$525.
It was a REALLY nice car for the money a 17 year old could put together.
Regards,
Alan
I remember the name Stebro, but nothing else comes to mind.
When I was ready to get my first car in 1962, I looked at 3 cars... a MG TF, $1100; a Healy of some sort, $???; and a 55 BelAir convertable... I chose the Chevy because it was the cheapest...$525.
It was a REALLY nice car for the money a 17 year old could put together.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Hi Paul,
I remember the name Stebro, but nothing else comes to mind.
When I was ready to get my first car in 1962, I looked at 3 cars... a MG TF, $1100; a Healy of some sort, $???; and a 55 BelAir convertable... I chose the Chevy because it was the cheapest...$525.
It was a REALLY nice car for the money a 17 year old could put together.
Regards,
Alan
I remember the name Stebro, but nothing else comes to mind.
When I was ready to get my first car in 1962, I looked at 3 cars... a MG TF, $1100; a Healy of some sort, $???; and a 55 BelAir convertable... I chose the Chevy because it was the cheapest...$525.
It was a REALLY nice car for the money a 17 year old could put together.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Paul L; Jan 28, 2011 at 07:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
