Clear top or solid?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Clear top or solid?
Our 95 has a solid top. I'm thinking a smoked clear top might be nice when a top has to be on for cool weather driving. A local guy said he didn't like his (and made a trade 2 years ago) because the sun shining in made it too uncomfortable. Any other experiences like that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
My 89 came with the clear top and it was hot in the summer, so I bought a solid top. I tend to leave the solid top on. The clear top has a little more room for a helmet, and the girls seem to like it.
I like the looks of the solid top better. Still once in a while I'll put the clear on when it's cooler.
If I had to pick one, it would be the solid - no question.
I like the looks of the solid top better. Still once in a while I'll put the clear on when it's cooler.
If I had to pick one, it would be the solid - no question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,022
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From: SW Fla
Re: Clear top or solid? (PeteL)
Clear top in south Florida on a black car with black leather, its unbearable. Ive been looking for a solid top. I think it depends on what you like and where you live.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I just bought the blue tint top for my car. Mainly I needed the headroom.
I like the look of the solid top, but form follows function, so the transparent top stays for now.
I' d rather drive with my neck straight rather than crooked with teh helmet on.
I like the look of the solid top, but form follows function, so the transparent top stays for now.
I' d rather drive with my neck straight rather than crooked with teh helmet on.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Lancaster CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
My 85 has the Blue acrylic top, and it let the car get unbearably hot after sitting in the sun all day... :cry...I could barely get into the car after work.
I installed a perforated, 'static cling' roof panel sun liner from Eckler's and it made a huge difference. No more burned backside. :)
'Seat-of the-pants' feel...I couldn't resist... was it cut temp by 20 to 30 Deg F. Never really checked it with a thermometer.
I installed a perforated, 'static cling' roof panel sun liner from Eckler's and it made a huge difference. No more burned backside. :)
'Seat-of the-pants' feel...I couldn't resist... was it cut temp by 20 to 30 Deg F. Never really checked it with a thermometer.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
Solid roof, great for racing, more solid body doesn't flex as much, keeps the interior cooler.
CLear top, great for getting the interior warm, really light if you plan on doing a bunch of removal and installation, pretty cool looking out at the stars at night, I think the car looks funky with the solid. But mine is going on in a few weeks.
CLear top, great for getting the interior warm, really light if you plan on doing a bunch of removal and installation, pretty cool looking out at the stars at night, I think the car looks funky with the solid. But mine is going on in a few weeks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
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From: WilkesBarre PA
Re: Clear top or solid? (Jeffvette)
Our 95 had the glass top and noe the GS is solid. It took a while to get used to the solid top. After having the clear one on the solid one make the car look smaller inside (Illusion of not seeing the outside above you) And there is just a bit more headroom with the clear top. I want a clear top for the GS but think it might look stupid on it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: College of Charleston, SC
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Clear top or solid? (RichS)
My painted top has never seen a day of sun. The last owner never put it on and I like the airy feel of the clear.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 23
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From: Elizabeth Colorado
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I have the smoked acrylic top on mine and bought the sunliner from Ecklers. It is the best of both worlds. The sunliner (with holes) lets in enough light to keep it bright but keeps out the heat. Plus you keep the head room. Had it in place for two years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,753
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From: Fishkill NY
Re: Clear top or solid? (DenverLT4)
Well, not that I would have done this but, my vette has a blue tint top. The last owner I guess did not like the heat that it let in so, he painted it the same color as the car. It looks very clean from the inside and allot of head room!! I would not have done this to a blue tint but, I would have purchased an old one that was scratched and painted it. My 84 had a solid top and it was twice as heavy as the blue tint.. Much easer to get on and off with it this way. Not sure if the 91 to 96 solid tops were the same as my old 84, heavy!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 984
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From: Columbia MD
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I've got both clear and solid tops. The car came with clear and I bought a used solid. I prefer the solid top for summer driving. The clear is great for spring/fall drives when the sun isn't so intense.
As for looks, the wife prefers the clear (chicks dig it) :jester Me, I prefer the shade provided by the solid top.
As for looks, the wife prefers the clear (chicks dig it) :jester Me, I prefer the shade provided by the solid top.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
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From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I have the blue tint clear top and I love it. In the summer, there is a shade that is made out of vinyl that you can get that will block the sun, if it is too hot. The shade has a perforated pattern that allows some light to filter through. Its held in place by static electricity between the acrylic and the vinyl. :flag
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
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From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Clear top or solid? (GRX)
Thanks guys :) I'm going to search out a clear or smoked top and get the shade some of you mentioned. As far as the weight of the solid top..I can't compare.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
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From: Denville NJ
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I have both the clear and solid tops. I prefer the solid top since it holds the body together better, therefore considerably reducing body flex. The clear top is much lighter and easier to remove and reinstall. I also like the way the car looks with the solid top as opposed to the clear. I alternate them in order to keep the weatherstrip in similar condition.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,913
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From: Twin Cities, MN
Re: Clear top or solid? (AlwaysWave)
I wouldn't go with anything other than the solid top. I makes the look of the car from the outside. As for being able to see out the top? I need to be watching the road. As for when I'm not watching the road? Take the top out! :cool:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Clear top or solid? (Stingray1967)
Solid all the way on my car... My 86 had a glass top and when I bought my 95 it was in need of a top (had a glass top) I told the dealer to replace it with a solid top and I'm very glad I did. Cooler, less flex and IMO I think it looks better on a lighter color car.