C4 Targa Soft Top lightweight and folding
#1
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C4 Targa Soft Top lightweight and folding
New member as of April 22 , 2017
The Designer
This forum never ceases to amaze me with the information and knowledge " Not Google Junk that you have to sift through "
I love Corvettes . Through the years I have had 1975 Coupe "T-Top" . Tops were pretty easy to install.
1985 Coupe "20 years ago top was heavy, but I could put it on alone.
Now Retired "Aerospace engineer/designer " and much older, I needed a project to keep me busy and out of my wife's hair.
Recently purchased again a 1985 coupe "Barn Find" without a Targa top. Found a top on craigslist and realized I can't put it on alone.
I looked for soft tops on the Internet but couldn't find anything that would serve my purpose.
So I decided to design my own " In the new member section I quoted, as a joke, " how hard could it be ??!! "
This is why I found your discussion on the C4 targa tops very informative. Never understood these 8 mm bolts?
Where are the latches ?
I just ASSumed the C4 Coupe would be on a convertible chassis.
Knowing the problem of Vibration Existed , and still manufactured them??
Back to my original post in the new member section, I am designing and manufacturing a personal " light weight , folding convertible top " Will now be a lot stronger.
Many Thanks to the CF members.
The Designer
The Designer
This forum never ceases to amaze me with the information and knowledge " Not Google Junk that you have to sift through "
I love Corvettes . Through the years I have had 1975 Coupe "T-Top" . Tops were pretty easy to install.
1985 Coupe "20 years ago top was heavy, but I could put it on alone.
Now Retired "Aerospace engineer/designer " and much older, I needed a project to keep me busy and out of my wife's hair.
Recently purchased again a 1985 coupe "Barn Find" without a Targa top. Found a top on craigslist and realized I can't put it on alone.
I looked for soft tops on the Internet but couldn't find anything that would serve my purpose.
So I decided to design my own " In the new member section I quoted, as a joke, " how hard could it be ??!! "
This is why I found your discussion on the C4 targa tops very informative. Never understood these 8 mm bolts?
Where are the latches ?
I just ASSumed the C4 Coupe would be on a convertible chassis.
Knowing the problem of Vibration Existed , and still manufactured them??
Back to my original post in the new member section, I am designing and manufacturing a personal " light weight , folding convertible top " Will now be a lot stronger.
Many Thanks to the CF members.
The Designer
The following users liked this post:
syswayne (07-09-2018)
#2
#3
Melting Slicks
I own such a top. The foldable top is from Vettop called a Day-Tripper. Purchased in 1998. It folds in half, has convertible top fabric and bolts to the existing C4 top locations, and has OEM window weather-strip. Problem with the top is when I drive 65mph, wind will whistle through the center of the top and if it leaks air then it will leak water.
#4
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Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top lightweight and falling
Just realized you have the top everyone says existed years ago. I could never find info on it. You mentioned that the header leaks at 65 mph. I knew that would be a possible problem, trying to keep the header profile thin between the two mounting points. I am now reinforcing that section ,Thanks
I have a ton of questions: Construction,
Frame material, Type hinge , Header seal,
Side window seal " you said OEM" ( I was trying to avoid that price ), Rear seal , Side tension cables , Top material "Haartz" ?, Side pads, Folded size, Weight , How did it store in the trunk , How much space was left , At 65 mph : Noise, Ballooning of fabric , Vibration, At higher speeds what would happen ? Finally : How did it look like GM made it ? Price?
A lot of questions yes, you are my only connection to the past.
My Proto type Specs :
Frame: Aluminum 6061 flat bar stock
Weight: Approx 10 to 12 lbs
Folded size : 14" x 44" X4" high
Top mat'l: Haartz
Side pads
Side tension cables
Weatherstripping : Header, Rear and Sides
Thanks in advance
The Designer
I have a ton of questions: Construction,
Frame material, Type hinge , Header seal,
Side window seal " you said OEM" ( I was trying to avoid that price ), Rear seal , Side tension cables , Top material "Haartz" ?, Side pads, Folded size, Weight , How did it store in the trunk , How much space was left , At 65 mph : Noise, Ballooning of fabric , Vibration, At higher speeds what would happen ? Finally : How did it look like GM made it ? Price?
A lot of questions yes, you are my only connection to the past.
My Proto type Specs :
Frame: Aluminum 6061 flat bar stock
Weight: Approx 10 to 12 lbs
Folded size : 14" x 44" X4" high
Top mat'l: Haartz
Side pads
Side tension cables
Weatherstripping : Header, Rear and Sides
Thanks in advance
The Designer
#5
Melting Slicks
Sorry, cannot get more specific on how it was designed. Was not cheap, $475 from Corvette Central. After I found out it leaked air going down the Interstate I didn't use it much. Never seen rain. Another flaw is the front mounting positions. The main adjusting hardware for the 2 bolts (by the visors) is incased in a plastic frame and if the plastic breaks then new adjustment will be impossible. So right now I have no problems attaching the top to the windshield frame to my car. Will I use the top again, I doubt it but makes a great back-up top.
My C4 was a part time DD from 1995 to 2007 where I purchase a 2007 C6. Trade in on my 88 was so low I kept it. Now I am driving a 2015 C7 and my 35th C4 is slowly being restored (needs new paint) which I am in the process of doing all the prep work myself, this coming fall and winter.
My C4 was a part time DD from 1995 to 2007 where I purchase a 2007 C6. Trade in on my 88 was so low I kept it. Now I am driving a 2015 C7 and my 35th C4 is slowly being restored (needs new paint) which I am in the process of doing all the prep work myself, this coming fall and winter.
#7
There is also the fox rain coat soft top. I have one. I haven't installed it yet on my Vette because I need to repair it first (it was damaged in shipping from the guy I bought it from). But the same general principle.
https://www.ecklers.com/corvette/cor...-121896-1.html
https://www.ecklers.com/corvette/cor...-121896-1.html
Last edited by daverulz; 04-28-2017 at 03:23 PM.
#8
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Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top
Thanks for getting back to me. Love your C4 absolutely beautiful, side pipes 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. I have a long way to go before mine looks like yours. I got sidetracked for a year with this Soft Targa Top build.
It would be great if you could send pictures of your top I need to know what it looked like
My Soft Targa Top that I designed and built looks as if General Motors manufactured it as an option . That was the plan from the beginning because I couldn't find anything on the Internet .
As we speak I am reinforcing the front header Per your suggestion about water leakage.
Regarding the front mounting bolts my top has a floating attachment system that uses the C4 existing bolts . Right now my top fits '84, '85 and early '86 ( first mounting configuration ) and can be easily adaptable for the other two later configurations
Looking forward to seeing the pictures .
Also send pictures of the C7
All input is greatly appreciated
The Designer
It would be great if you could send pictures of your top I need to know what it looked like
My Soft Targa Top that I designed and built looks as if General Motors manufactured it as an option . That was the plan from the beginning because I couldn't find anything on the Internet .
As we speak I am reinforcing the front header Per your suggestion about water leakage.
Regarding the front mounting bolts my top has a floating attachment system that uses the C4 existing bolts . Right now my top fits '84, '85 and early '86 ( first mounting configuration ) and can be easily adaptable for the other two later configurations
Looking forward to seeing the pictures .
Also send pictures of the C7
All input is greatly appreciated
The Designer
#9
Advanced
Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top
Thanks for the info on the "Rain Coat "
Nice top .
I wanted something that I could leave on and take off easily so I would never have to use the heavy targa top.
This is the main reason why I decided to build this .
Almost complete
Thanks Again
The Designer
Nice top .
I wanted something that I could leave on and take off easily so I would never have to use the heavy targa top.
This is the main reason why I decided to build this .
Almost complete
Thanks Again
The Designer
#11
Advanced
Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top
HAD2HAV2
Thanks for the photos, exactly what I was looking for.
I see the mounting points, in the Plastic Header, are deteriorated and further use , like you said , wouldn't be possible to install properly.
Passenger side is really bad.
Vibration will cause this type of damage.
All and all it looks like a nice top, I can see why you purchased it.
$475 wasn't bad back in 1998 for the design and construction of it.
It's too bad that it didn't hold up.
My design is different and soon as I can figure how to post pictures on CF I'll show you my top.
Thanks again for your time and photos.
The Designer
Thanks for the photos, exactly what I was looking for.
I see the mounting points, in the Plastic Header, are deteriorated and further use , like you said , wouldn't be possible to install properly.
Passenger side is really bad.
Vibration will cause this type of damage.
All and all it looks like a nice top, I can see why you purchased it.
$475 wasn't bad back in 1998 for the design and construction of it.
It's too bad that it didn't hold up.
My design is different and soon as I can figure how to post pictures on CF I'll show you my top.
Thanks again for your time and photos.
The Designer
The following users liked this post:
syswayne (07-12-2018)
#13
Melting Slicks
HAD2HAV2
Thanks for the photos, exactly what I was looking for.
I see the mounting points, in the Plastic Header, are deteriorated and further use , like you said , wouldn't be possible to install properly.
Passenger side is really bad.
Vibration will cause this type of damage.
All and all it looks like a nice top, I can see why you purchased it.
$475 wasn't bad back in 1998 for the design and construction of it.
It's too bad that it didn't hold up.
My design is different and soon as I can figure how to post pictures on CF I'll show you my top.
Thanks again for your time and photos.
The Designer
Thanks for the photos, exactly what I was looking for.
I see the mounting points, in the Plastic Header, are deteriorated and further use , like you said , wouldn't be possible to install properly.
Passenger side is really bad.
Vibration will cause this type of damage.
All and all it looks like a nice top, I can see why you purchased it.
$475 wasn't bad back in 1998 for the design and construction of it.
It's too bad that it didn't hold up.
My design is different and soon as I can figure how to post pictures on CF I'll show you my top.
Thanks again for your time and photos.
The Designer
Interested on what you can come up with.
#14
Advanced
Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top
No Velcro was used in my Top.
It looks, and folds back, just like a standard convertible top. Has Weatherstripping (not OEM) at the header, rear frame, side windows and all are adjustable.
Thanks to HAD2HAV2 suggestions and photos . I am in the process of finalizing the prototype and soon will be posting photos.
Thanks again
THe Designer
#15
Melting Slicks
Thanks for the interest.
No Velcro was used in my Top.
It looks, and folds back, just like a standard convertible top. Has Weatherstripping (not OEM) at the header, rear frame, side windows and all are adjustable.
Thanks to HAD2HAV2 suggestions and photos . I am in the process of finalizing the prototype and soon will be posting photos.
Thanks again
THe Designer
No Velcro was used in my Top.
It looks, and folds back, just like a standard convertible top. Has Weatherstripping (not OEM) at the header, rear frame, side windows and all are adjustable.
Thanks to HAD2HAV2 suggestions and photos . I am in the process of finalizing the prototype and soon will be posting photos.
Thanks again
THe Designer
#16
For c72016
There is also the fox rain coat soft top. I have one. I haven't installed it yet on my Vette because I need to repair it first (it was damaged in shipping from the guy I bought it from). But the same general principle.
https://www.ecklers.com/corvette/cor...-121896-1.html
https://www.ecklers.com/corvette/cor...-121896-1.html
#17
Advanced
Thread Starter
Didn't realize they offered the fox raincoat to fit newer Vets interesting
As I said in my post earlier I wanted something that I could leave on and replace the heavy hardtop
Soon will be posting photos of the top I designed
As I said in my post earlier I wanted something that I could leave on and replace the heavy hardtop
Soon will be posting photos of the top I designed
#19
Advanced
Thread Starter
C4 Targa Soft Top
To Remove Top:<br/>Disconnect (2) front mounting bolts and fold back.<br/>At the rear are (2) *****, that replace the ratchet tool. Turn ***** CCW 6 to 8 turns and remove top.