Tops Out vs Tops In
01-29-2018, 11:49 AM
#21
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2016
Location: Dutchess county New York
Posts: 750
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Top is down always. I don't take it out in rainy weather. I could use a nice hot sweaty run right about now.
I put the top up a couple of times in the summer while it's sitting in the driveway just to give it a good bake in the sun and make sure it doesn't get all funky being folded up too long.
I put the top up a couple of times in the summer while it's sitting in the driveway just to give it a good bake in the sun and make sure it doesn't get all funky being folded up too long.
01-29-2018, 12:27 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
After October one of my tops go on until spring. Then it is off for the spring,summer and fall! As stated before, on hot sunny days I may put the soft top up just to stretch it out and keep it flexible!
Scott
Scott
01-29-2018, 02:21 PM
#23
I much prefer tops off on my '69.
However, once this fall kicked-in, I did take a few rides with the tops on.
I will say, that in addition to being a more cramped feel, there was also a good amount of creaking going on, especially over bumps or with any body twist.
I picked up a can of silicone spray (the dry kind) and sprayed lightly on the body interfaces where the T-Tops sit. It made almost all the noise disappear!
Just need to watch out for overspray and the residual white powdery mess.
I also noticed that my weather stripping on the Tops looked to be original to the car, so I decided to make that my winter project.
I've got one side torn down and stripped of all the old adhesive (what a fun job that was!). Waiting on the Corvette Central milk run to arrive in my driveway with the set of new seals.
However, once this fall kicked-in, I did take a few rides with the tops on.
I will say, that in addition to being a more cramped feel, there was also a good amount of creaking going on, especially over bumps or with any body twist.
I picked up a can of silicone spray (the dry kind) and sprayed lightly on the body interfaces where the T-Tops sit. It made almost all the noise disappear!
Just need to watch out for overspray and the residual white powdery mess.
I also noticed that my weather stripping on the Tops looked to be original to the car, so I decided to make that my winter project.
I've got one side torn down and stripped of all the old adhesive (what a fun job that was!). Waiting on the Corvette Central milk run to arrive in my driveway with the set of new seals.
02-01-2018, 02:04 PM
#27
Drifting
T-Top inserts don't go "up" or "down".
For convertibles, reverse everything I just said.
---If it is below 60 degrees, mine are in.
---If I am driving in the daytime and it is over 80 degrees, mine are generally in...I hate sunburn on my chrome dome.
---If it is above 60 degrees and I'm driving in the evening/nighttime, the t-tops are out.
---My back window comes out in the spring and doesn't go back in until late fall.
BY FAR my favorite configuration is tops off, window out. Evening/night drive like that if there is just a hint of crispness in the air is my little slice of heaven.
Last edited by keithinspace; 02-01-2018 at 02:12 PM.
02-01-2018, 09:06 PM
#28
Drifting
Yesterday I took the hardtop off and hung it back up in the garage. Winter's over as far as I'm concerned. This morning drove the car to work, soft top up. When I got off work, I put the top down and took the curvy long way home, shifting gears, exhaust echoing through the canyons, doesn't get much better than that.
02-01-2018, 11:30 PM
#31
Le Mans Master
The only time I've driven my '80 with the tops in was when I drove her home. No radio, no heat, no salt on the road, no tops.
I will say that the car looks better from the outside with the tops installed, especially the '79, but the most important view is over the hood. The view through the glass T-Tops is pretty nice, too, though.
I will say that the car looks better from the outside with the tops installed, especially the '79, but the most important view is over the hood. The view through the glass T-Tops is pretty nice, too, though.
