C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Using the Removable top often.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 5, 2014 | 08:50 AM
  #1  
corvettesforevor's Avatar
corvettesforevor
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Default Using the Removable top often.

Does anyone use the removable bolt on targa top on the c4 very often? I hardly use it at all because its a pain to take the 4 bolts out just to put them back on the next day.

When you use the removable top, and go somewhere, do you leave the top off while you go inside? Or do you set it back on?

The removable top just is kind of impractical for me, but i'd like to hear what you guys think.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 09:08 AM
  #2  
Scooter 94's Avatar
Scooter 94
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 4
From: middle TN
Default

I've never taken it off without breaking a sweat. Like it to be 80-85 degrees, but with TN humidity...needs to be a little less effort. Oh well, it is what it is and I'm glad to have the capability.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 10:00 AM
  #3  
DanielRicany's Avatar
DanielRicany
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Default

I always take it off on nice days. And depending on where I go, I leave the top off and the windows up with the car locked.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 01:03 PM
  #4  
Dt86's Avatar
Dt86
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Default

Originally Posted by DanielRicany
I always take it off on nice days. And depending on where I go, I leave the top off and the windows up with the car locked.
I do the same. I have been driving around with the top off since mine is out to paint. Usually just running local errands.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 01:15 PM
  #5  
corvetteronw's Avatar
corvetteronw
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

I have read posts where folks have just laid it in place while going in a restaurant or store. Then they forgot that it was not bolted in and took off down the road only to join the "flying roof club". You don't want to become a member.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 05:08 PM
  #6  
Hot Rod Roy's Avatar
Hot Rod Roy
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Default

Originally Posted by corvettesforever
I hardly use it at all because its a pain to take the 4 bolts out
You shouldn't need to remove the bolts. They should stay attached to your top when you remove it.

Originally Posted by corvetteronw
I have read posts where folks have just laid it in place while going in a restaurant or store.
If you do this, put your wrench on the drivers seat so you don't forget!!


Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; May 5, 2014 at 05:16 PM.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 05:20 PM
  #7  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

I love to cruize with the top off the Vette. No big deal to remove/install it and I leave it off till it's back in the parking lot.

When racing at Englishtown I would do some test & tune passes, pop the top and drive to/from AC with the top off...
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 05:51 PM
  #8  
irokcj5's Avatar
irokcj5
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: acadiana area Louisiana
Default

I've. Owned my vette for three years and had it off 3 times. First two times the first month I had it. But I didn't want to mess it up, so I quit removing it. Then Decided a month ago to take it off at a show, drove home and then placed it on car to keep dust out. I should have put the ratchet on the seat cause this morning I decided to take my car to work and lost my roof. Blues disparity and agony on me!!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 5, 2014 | 05:54 PM
  #9  
MavsAK's Avatar
MavsAK
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Default

Always when the weather allows for it.
My Top has probably been removed more in the last 2 years than it has in the 23 years before it (before it was owned by me)
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 06:06 PM
  #10  
gerardvg's Avatar
gerardvg
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Default

Originally Posted by corvetteronw
I have read posts where folks have just laid it in place while going in a restaurant or store. Then they forgot that it was not bolted in and took off down the road only to join the "flying roof club". You don't want to become a member.
Yeah that has happened to me when i got my vette around 17 years ago, You only do it once.....
I was lucky it didn't land on the painted side, however it would never bond to the targa frame and always came lose at the rear.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 06:41 PM
  #11  
HGUNHNTR's Avatar
HGUNHNTR
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
Default

I don't mind popping it off, just takes a couple minutes. Also, cruising sans top eliminates 100% of the squeaks. :thumb:
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 08:31 PM
  #12  
Dt86's Avatar
Dt86
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Default

Originally Posted by irokcj5
I've. Owned my vette for three years and had it off 3 times. First two times the first month I had it. But I didn't want to mess it up, so I quit removing it. Then Decided a month ago to take it off at a show, drove home and then placed it on car to keep dust out. I should have put the ratchet on the seat cause this morning I decided to take my car to work and lost my roof. Blues disparity and agony on me!!
Oh man sorry to hear that.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 08:37 PM
  #13  
Williamlindsey's Avatar
Williamlindsey
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 173
Likes: 4
Default topless

I took my top off saturday with the help of my granddaughter, doubt ill put it back on unless i get caught out and it rains.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 08:44 PM
  #14  
Corvettewaldon's Avatar
Corvettewaldon
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 196
Likes: 4
From: Keego Harbor MI
Default

I like to run with top off, but since it is a part of the vehicle rigidity the car rides so much better with top bolted in. That is the reason they bolt in instead of using a handle release system. I never take it off, but I did buy a latch brace for back glass hatch witch holds it open a couple inches and the air flow is great. I wish they had taken into consideration the body flex on this model vert when designing in these targa tops.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 09:12 PM
  #15  
BOOT77's Avatar
BOOT77
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 112
From: Michigan
Default

I've never taken my top off yet and only took my T-tops off my c3 back before I modded it maybe 12yrs ago. I plan too make one of the targa braces when it gets warm so I can cruise and if a race happens I won't feel bad bout twisting up my car.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 09:14 PM
  #16  
csthews's Avatar
csthews
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
From: College Station Tx
Default

I seldom take it off because it is either too hot, too cold, or too noisy when driving down the highway. Plus, the car vibrates when I accelerate.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 09:37 PM
  #17  
cuengineer's Avatar
cuengineer
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
Default

I have the acrylic top and go topless fairly often but do hate to go back and forth. My lovely wife made a cloth top that hooks on with suction cups at the windshield and back glass so it can be left outside for short periods but interior can be protected from dew or unexpected rains. This comes off easily when ready to drive. It does get hot down south with bright sun shining directly on you when the top is off. Top on provides some shade although needs a liner to block more sun.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Using the Removable top often.

Old May 6, 2014 | 08:37 AM
  #18  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Mine is removed in April. I carry it around all summer. Then in November I put the acrylic top on for winter sun.
Reply
Old May 6, 2014 | 02:16 PM
  #19  
eatmydst1234's Avatar
eatmydst1234
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
Default

Being in Ga from late March-mid May the top is off and stowed in the back. From mid May to August the top is on and AC blasting. I really don't like just having hot air been blown over m. I will pull it back off for a summer night drive or on drive to work early in the morning, but other than that it is too hot
Reply
Old May 6, 2014 | 02:43 PM
  #20  
hllywd's Avatar
hllywd
Cruising
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: FIndlay Ohio
Default

We have the top off as often as we can when the weather is good. It's not too big of a deal, at least for me, to remove and replace. The big thing I don't like is that off, the car drives like a wet noodle...
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:45 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE