Top up noises
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Top up noises
I hardly ever drive my 68 convert with the top up, but I recently finished replacing all of the rear suspension bushings and wanted to see if there was a noticeable difference in handling. So today I put the top up, turned on the heater and ventured out in the 30 degree weather in northern VA. The suspension stuff was fine, but OMG.....the squeaks, rattles and assorted noises from the top and other parts that were not heard when the top was down were amazing. I should have just put on my fur trooper hat and driven with the top down.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 412
Likes: 25
From: Sultry Steamy Muggy Humid Texas Gulf Coast
Found out through well placed sources that a separate "noise" and "water leak" division was the last stop of all cars before shipping.
Guidelines were: if it leaked and their was a butt load of wind noise....it passed.
I know, I driven 3 of them which probably made A+ for their final exams, but I wouldn't trade them for anything, maybe.
Bunky
Guidelines were: if it leaked and their was a butt load of wind noise....it passed.
I know, I driven 3 of them which probably made A+ for their final exams, but I wouldn't trade them for anything, maybe.
Bunky
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 523
Likes: 249
From: SC
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I hardly ever drive my 68 convert with the top up, but I recently finished replacing all of the rear suspension bushings and wanted to see if there was a noticeable difference in handling. So today I put the top up, turned on the heater and ventured out in the 30 degree weather in northern VA. The suspension stuff was fine, but OMG.....the squeaks, rattles and assorted noises from the top and other parts that were not heard when the top was down were amazing. I should have just put on my fur trooper hat and driven with the top down.
Tom69
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Did you bounce your head off the top rail above the door climbing in. When I put up the top I always hit my head. The noises are even more noticeable with the removable hardtop
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I'm surprised you could hear any wind noise or rattles over the pitter-patter of salt and sand flung into the wheel walls. At least where I am in Northern Virginia, all remaining treatments were laid thick on the roads in anticipation of the arrival of spring.
That didn't stop me from a short ride in my 80. Windows down, tops off, hat and gloves on!
That didn't stop me from a short ride in my 80. Windows down, tops off, hat and gloves on!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Tom- I have adjusted those fittings and have them about as good as I can get them. Too tight and I can not get them to latch, too loose and there is a big gap that lets in cold air. One of the prices to pay for having an old style convertible top. At least I do not have to completely remove the top and put it in the trunk like on the MG and Triumph I drove when I was in college!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Found out through well placed sources that a separate "noise" and "water leak" division was the last stop of all cars before shipping.
Guidelines were: if it leaked and their was a butt load of wind noise....it passed.
I know, I driven 3 of them which probably made A+ for their final exams, but I wouldn't trade them for anything, maybe.
Bunky
Guidelines were: if it leaked and their was a butt load of wind noise....it passed.
I know, I driven 3 of them which probably made A+ for their final exams, but I wouldn't trade them for anything, maybe.
Bunky
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,066
From: Virginia USA
Having just retired my '71 vert from daily driver duty a few months ago I can confirm that having the top up does bring out the squeaks and rattles. I did notice using the hard top in the winter actually makes the car stiffer and the squeaks and rattles are minimal. I actually found most of them and eliminated them. Now it has less squeaks and rattles than my 2006 Chevy Cobalt.