Removable Hardtop Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Wexford PA
Removable Hardtop Question
Ok, so I have a question and I'm just gonna ask. For a vert can you have a hardtop made that could also be t-tops so you can have the best of all three worlds?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,711
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I won't ask the obvious question.
I don't think it would be all that hard. Take a hard top and cut it where the t-tops would go and attach a trim piece. I think it would stick up somewhat, which could be a problem for the seals.
Engineering and labour would significantly add to the cost. As a guess, $3 to 4 k?
Might be less expensive to buy a coupe.
I don't think it would be all that hard. Take a hard top and cut it where the t-tops would go and attach a trim piece. I think it would stick up somewhat, which could be a problem for the seals.
Engineering and labour would significantly add to the cost. As a guess, $3 to 4 k?
Might be less expensive to buy a coupe.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Sure it would be just a matter of money....
BUT the best of 3 worlds ???? I own 3 convertibles (c2 C3 and C5) and 2 t-toped C3 couples as well as a targa topped C4...
NOTHING beats a true convertible on nice summer evening nothing beats a coupe with a solid roof at high noon in August IF the A/C works...
I HONESTLY can not remember the last time I drove on of my "coupes" without the top on... (been at least 5 or more years)...nor can I remember driving one of the convertibles with the top up (except when caught in a sudden thunderstorm) ..
Bob G.
BUT the best of 3 worlds ???? I own 3 convertibles (c2 C3 and C5) and 2 t-toped C3 couples as well as a targa topped C4...
NOTHING beats a true convertible on nice summer evening nothing beats a coupe with a solid roof at high noon in August IF the A/C works...
I HONESTLY can not remember the last time I drove on of my "coupes" without the top on... (been at least 5 or more years)...nor can I remember driving one of the convertibles with the top up (except when caught in a sudden thunderstorm) ..
Bob G.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 23
From: KY
Top
[quote=sbranscum;1577136576]Ok, so I have a question and I'm just gonna ask. For a vert can you have a hardtop made that could also be t-tops so you can have the best of all three worlds?
What is this series of letters ( v e r t ) ?
What is this series of letters ( v e r t ) ?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I personally don't see the need for it, assuming you have the soft top on the car also. It could be done but would cost more than it is worth. I did see an interesting hard top in the C5 section once. The guy cut the top like a targa, making it 2 pieces. He then designed a hydraulic system that raised the rear deck lid, the front of the top lifted, the bottom raised and lowered itself into the back of the car and the front of the top then flipped over and lowered itself on top of that.
It would be much easier to cut the top and make it a targa top like the C4. Wouldn't quite be the t-top that you were asking about but close and much easier to design and seal.
It would be much easier to cut the top and make it a targa top like the C4. Wouldn't quite be the t-top that you were asking about but close and much easier to design and seal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The solution for the body flex was to add the t-bar and make the car with a pair lift off tops instead of a targa.
They did not return to the body flex problem until the C4s were being designed.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
The C3 was originally designed to be a targa top car. There was no T-bar. When testing the targa roof, the engineers learned that if the body flexed a little, it was difficult to get the targa top on or off.
The solution for the body flex was to add the t-bar and make the car with a pair lift off tops instead of a targa.
They did not return to the body flex problem until the C4s were being designed.
The solution for the body flex was to add the t-bar and make the car with a pair lift off tops instead of a targa.
They did not return to the body flex problem until the C4s were being designed.
