Hard Top is the @(#*
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 917
Likes: 410
From: Dutchess county New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 917
Likes: 410
From: Dutchess county New York
sticker
I've seen those plastic strips - not quite stickers - in various catalogs intended to prevent the imprint. My soft top leaves a faint line too. No idea if they are worth the bother or not
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
I'm not a big fan of 63-67's with a hardtop, but I love the way 56-62's and 68-75's look, with a hardtop installed. I think a hardtop looks especially nice on a 74-75 convertible. The sloping back window, makes for such a clean looking design, when paired with the 74-75 rounded back bumper.
I know my 62 is a completely different car, when the hardtop is on it. It's tighter, quieter, warmer, brighter inside, rattles less, and has far more headroom, then when the soft top is up. The 62 hardtop is particularly nice, since they have a white headliner, and windows that wrap all the way around, making them feel almost as open and "airy", as having the top down.
The extra rigidity a hardtop provides, makes every 56-75 convertible, a more enjoyable car to drive.
I know my 62 is a completely different car, when the hardtop is on it. It's tighter, quieter, warmer, brighter inside, rattles less, and has far more headroom, then when the soft top is up. The 62 hardtop is particularly nice, since they have a white headliner, and windows that wrap all the way around, making them feel almost as open and "airy", as having the top down.
The extra rigidity a hardtop provides, makes every 56-75 convertible, a more enjoyable car to drive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 241
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
The very 1st time the 70 was driven to my house for an inspection it had the hardtop on , I fell in love and bought the car , here is a pick , soon after I pulled it off and stored it in the attic of the garage , never to be used again , I never even drove the car with it on . But I too love the looks . 
Attachment 48353762
this is how it's seen all the time
Attachment 48353762
this is how it's seen all the time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 470
From: Glen Allen, VA
I too think the convertible C3s look the best with the hard top on. Now, I need to go get me a convertible with a hard top so I can experience it for myself. FWIW, I think my 79 looks better with the T tops on, but prefer to drive it with them off, and would probably feel the same with a convertible with the hardtop on vs top down driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Had mine for 40 years
I just put my hard top on for the winter a few weeks ago and I am always amazed on how much it changes the feel of the car and driving experience. A C3 with the hard top installed is my favorite look over the soft top and even with the top down. 
If I had A/C I'd probably leave it on all the time.
If I had A/C I'd probably leave it on all the time.Vision out of the car is better than the 'sugar scoop coupe's' and of course the original soft top. But not better than my 82 CE bubbleback.
Weather forcasting in AZ....Going to rain today/this week/ this month/ this quarter.....Not a chance! Don't need the soft top! 86 days, no rain.
So my buddy a few years ago...'agrees' with us....Hardtop.
He affixed it permanently to the rear deck (bolts). Then installed two electrical actuators on the hardtop. Pulls up to a show. Hit's the two latches in the front, and a deck release actuator...pushes a button...the top raises a latches in the 'max-up' position.....CROWD ENSUES!
Take that T-top boys!
cheers! Unckahal
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,353
Likes: 1,054
From: Virginia USA
I'll stick with my convertible and have the choice to go topless, put the soft top up or run the hard top. 3 very distinct and different looks.
No trying to start an argument on which is better just commenting on how I like the convertible with the hard top on look better than any other C3 configuration. My opinion only.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,353
Likes: 1,054
From: Virginia USA
Love to see your "rack" as I took my soft top out this time and have it hanging on the wall with two bicycle hooks. I don't really like it but haven't figured out a better way to store it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
[QUOTE= Can you take your coupe top completely off???? Nope.
I'll stick with my convertible and have the choice to go topless, put the soft top up or run the hard top. 3 very distinct and different looks.
I'll stick with my convertible and have the choice to go topless, put the soft top up or run the hard top. 3 very distinct and different looks.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Since no one has posted a pic of the vinyl roof, I thought I'd put mine up. White car, black interior. Pic is when bought, hasn't been on since.
Attachment 48225991
Attachment 48225991
This was my inspiration car
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Hope this helps
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 261
From: Blue Bell PA
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
FWIW, you might consider having the 3M (or similar) paint protection film applied to the entire deck lid. Those of us that have a 2 top convertible know that the soft top and the hard top settle in different places on the deck lid. There are those plastic strips that many use to protect the lid from weather strip "scars", but those strips need to be moved when switching or removing tops. I happen to think they're unsightly when applied. I had the 3M film put on my entire lid. I removed all the hard and soft top mounting before installing the film so that there's no cut edge at any of the trim. Now I have full and full time protection and to tell the truth, it is 99.9% undetectable. I had it rolled over the edges so that the cut edge is hidden from view. The gloss level of the film matches the gloss level of my paint perfectly. If I didn't tell you it was on the lid, you'd never notice.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Maybe I will look elsewhere.
