C3 targa top
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 131
Likes: 26
From: Fort Valley Georgia
C3 targa top
Has anyone on the forum tried one of the one piece acrylic tops from Eckler's? They advertise that it is supposed to be better at resisting water leaks. I was just curious if anyone has had an experience be it good or bad.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
They are not up to "Corvette" standards imho.
I tell people see one in person before you buy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
I have one and use it on occasion. I really like the look of the one piece it really updates the whole cars appearance. The weather stripping is kinda iffy, the drivers side does not seal at all about a quarter inch gap front leading edge. The pass side seals but I can not open and close the pass door with the window all the way up because it hits the rear corner of the pass window. Be very carefull with the panel it scratches easily.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have one and use it on occasion. I really like the look of the one piece it really updates the whole cars appearance. The weather stripping is kinda iffy, the drivers side does not seal at all about a quarter inch gap front leading edge. The pass side seals but I can not open and close the pass door with the window all the way up because it hits the rear corner of the pass window. Be very carefull with the panel it scratches easily.
Sums up the astro top....
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 131
Likes: 26
From: Fort Valley Georgia
I noticed Eckler's in no way say that these are the astro tops. Even though they use pictures from Astros website. On the astro site the tops are $499 and on Eckler's it's $519. Then with shipping would be close to six. I've heard of them selling on ebay $350. But after looking up astro tops for the C3 I have found more people who dislike them then like.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have seen all kinds of custom van port hole windows put in fiberglass tops,
I am a convertible person but if I had a coupe I would score an old pair of fiberglass tops ( cheap ) and make a one piece targa top
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Delmarva Peninsula
Ok, so it seems that AstroTops are not the way to go. What is the consensus on factory blue, black, or mirror T-Tops? Our '79 has solid tops and I'd like to have clear tops for fall, spring, winter.
Chappie
Chappie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
They " the GM glass " tops were expensive back then , especially in 1970's dollars . There were imitations , I forget now , but they had more issues than the GM items . Seems one had green tinted glass , and the other blue tinted . I forget which is which now .
I think they look nice .....are they worth it ....I guess it's up to the person paying the dollars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Whatever optional tops you may land on, I suggest you hang onto the FRP tops for any stints of highly spirited driving. I've actually seen the glass ones broken in the twisty bits. Just a heads up in case it might matter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I saw a 2002 Corvette towed into a Chevy dealer body shop and the whole front edge of the targa top, up to 2" back, was all cracked up!! I don't know what happened, but it sure looked like an expensive mess to me. Did the tow truck pick the car up wrong? Lou.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
It doesn't take much to break it like that. I did that to mine dropping it accidentally about a foot off the ground. I also forgot to latch a targa top on one of my C5s before. They fly off at 45 mph. That one was scratched up but not shattered.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Just thinking out loud, but has anyone ever tried to make their C3 a true targa by making the middle support removable. It seems like it would not be too difficult to make a sliding dowel fixture or latch to re-secure the centerpiece. A C3 coupe with a true targa and rear window removed would be the closest thing to a convertible and the best of both worlds.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 131
Likes: 26
From: Fort Valley Georgia
Just thinking out loud, but has anyone ever tried to make their C3 a true targa by making the middle support removable. It seems like it would not be too difficult to make a sliding dowel fixture or latch to re-secure the centerpiece. A C3 coupe with a true targa and rear window removed would be the closest thing to a convertible and the best of both worlds.