C-4 Roof
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park KS
C-4 Roof
I have had a failure of a roof from MAD Vette (read a crack that runs half way the lenght of the top) that has not seen day light but 6 times in the last three years after going into storage. A buddy of mine had a hard top for a very early C-4 but for some reason it dosn't seem to fit. Mine is a 92 and the new hard top is unknown year for a C-4. Is there a difference in the tops. Well...obviously there is.
Frank
Frank
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 659
Likes: 5
From: Holden, MO
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Yes there is a difference. 84-86E, 86L-89 and 90-96. I may be wrong on the latter.
This guy has a later one and needs and early one. Maybe you two could work something out.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...iberglass.html
This guy has a later one and needs and early one. Maybe you two could work something out.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...iberglass.html
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,769
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
In his thread he said after further research, he thinks it might be a C5 top.
If that's the case, it won't fit your car either.
If that's the case, it won't fit your car either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,079
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Iv'e got a mint blue tinted top from my 96 I'd let go for $500 + shipping/packing. Has spent a total of 2 months on the car since new. I really need to take some pics and post a fs thread. Let me know if you're interested.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: central Florida Florida
Hey Frank, I had the same problem with my 86. I bought the car used and it came with 2 tops. The clear top was in the rear storage rack. I took the fiberglass top off to replace the headliner and repaint it, so I put on the clear top. The car sat in the driveway with the cover on it. 2 weeks later I uncovered the car and got in it, looked up and saw the top was split in the center from the front to the center. In my opinion these clear tops suck. I posted about this problem and had another forum member tell me the same thing that his top split for no reason.
I am not sure of the manufactuer, but it appears these tops are for looks and not use.
I am not sure of the manufactuer, but it appears these tops are for looks and not use.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
Many of us have used the transparent tops for years without problem. Mine has never cracked. It has frequently been jacked-up and is often driven on rough roads. Maybe something else happened.
Just wanted to prevent a casual reader from assuming that the "clear" tops were necessarily a bad risk.
Just wanted to prevent a casual reader from assuming that the "clear" tops were necessarily a bad risk.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I suspect mine cracked because I installed it while parked on an uneven surface and then left it parked on the level driveway in the sunlight.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,769
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Many of us have used the transparent tops for years without problem. Mine has never cracked. It has frequently been jacked-up and is often driven on rough roads. Maybe something else happened.
Just wanted to prevent a casual reader from assuming that the "clear" tops were necessarily a bad risk.
Just wanted to prevent a casual reader from assuming that the "clear" tops were necessarily a bad risk.
Too many other "issues" might have happened to just assume the transparent tops are for looks only.
Be aware though, there are some aftermarket replacement transparent tops out there that don't have the best reputation.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Sykesville Maryland
I just noticed my top has a 10" crack from front to back just to the right of center. It has been on jack stands for about two weeks. We did experience a big change in temperature for a few days but it is garage kept.
How do I tell if it is original? Are they stamped somewhere? It does have a lot of crazing so I'm thinking it may be.
I've seen them in catalogs listed with/without cores. If I do have the original frame, are there companies that would reuse mine for me?
How do I tell if it is original? Are they stamped somewhere? It does have a lot of crazing so I'm thinking it may be.
I've seen them in catalogs listed with/without cores. If I do have the original frame, are there companies that would reuse mine for me?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
My theory is that when a person puts the top into the trunk area for storage and then slams down the hatchback glass window, it stresses that window right smack dab in the center, which becomes the propagation point for the crack. There isn't much clearance between a stowed roof and the hatch, at least on my 93, which also has a crack running front to rear, about 10 inches. It came that way from the original owner. One good slam and the damage is done, once that crack is initiated, bolting it onto the roof and driving over time provides stresses for more crack grow. Cracks are like cops, always there when you don't want them, and never there when you do.