Like an idiot, I forgot to fasten my targa after getting home late and went ahead and covered it up. After a couple of weeks, I drove it and forgot about it not being fastened. No warning, no little wiggle, just zooom its gone. JC I am an idiot I know, luckily no one was behind me at the time. OK I have a thick skin and know I am stupid so heap it on!

I have searched and determined that the targas have changed mounting hardware and not all years fit right. As far as I can tell, the only donors that will interchange directly with my '85 are '84, '85 and early '86. Is this correct? Will the acrylic parts from later years fit with my metal parts? I know I can get one "rebuilt" for about $700 but I would like to find something cheaper in the used market if possible. I am even considering going with a solid fiberglas one to help keep the Alabama heat out.

Thanks for any info. Take care all!

 

Wow, that's really a bummer. I know how you feel. The feeling in the pit of your stomach...well I just wanted to relate. Back, way back in 1974 I forgot to fasten my hood on a nice 67 Ford Galaxie fastback, got on the highway and it went flying like a kite. Luckily, as you said, no one was behind me and it didn't smash the windshield. I was only going 95 mph too. Idiot? Pretty much.

Hope you find a reasonably priced solution.

I just got my first Vette (89 coupe) and will try to learn from your mistake. For whatever that's worth, although I haven't yet figure out how to remove it.

 

Thanks for sharing your horror story. I bet there is alot more of em out there, folks just dont want to admit to it. I usually kept the targa tool on the dash when I left the top unfastened as a reminder but I used the 1/4" drive ratchet for something else during the time the car sat and didnt put it back.

I still need verification on the years that interchange. Anybody???

TIA!

 

There are two kinds of C4 owners, those who are members of the "Flying Top Club" and those who will become members. There is s very small fringe sect that are neither but their numbers are so small they don't count.

 

I've got an 85 top with a 2-3 crack in the center front. I can send it to Carlisle if you're interested and able to attend. May not be much use but will keep out a little more of the rain than nothing! I'd go with the solid top, even up north get's like an oven inside.

 

Direct fit for an '85 is an 84 through early '86. Early '86 measure 4 9/16" from the sunvisor pin to the roof panel mounting bolt. Late '86 measures 2 3/4".

Late '86 to 88 is another series, and 89 to 96 is yet another.

 

Dang Muffin, there's a club? Where's my T-shirt? LOL. That makes me feel better.

Gregory- Thanks, I wont be making Carlisle. I did retrieve what was left and the car is covered up again and wont be driven unless there isnt a cloud in the sky until the top is replaced.

Joseph- Thanks for the verification.

 

Can you try to claim that on insurance? I accidentally shut my hood on a phone that was resting on the windshield above the wipers and cracked the windshield. It was covered w/ only $100 deductible, b/c it is glass.

If it is covered, I would just take it to a dealer for a quote and submit it. It is such a PITA to adjust both windows and the top. I really despise doing it. You have to take off most of the interior trim from the roof, and both door panels. Then you will still most likely have wind noise and water leaks...... But who knows....the last replacement top I bought was from Carlisle Corvette show for $200 so maybe it wasn't rebuilt very well.

Also, with glass, it doesn't matter how it broke. There are no questions asked that I know of (at least on my old policy).

I actually just had my top clicked in the back of the hatch, and lifted it up a little to get something out from under it. Well, it cracked the corner off. I am still thinking of trying to claim this, but I feel bad b/c I have the super inexpensive classic car insurance. It only costs $140/yr for full coverage. Luckily, it didn't break far enough in to leak.

However it works out, good luck. I feel for you and am in the same boat. It is no fun when you have to replace the $1000 top on a car you see people selling for $5000 (not that we would sell for that...).

 

Your best bet is to get a top from Melrose, be careful of the Thompson Astro tops, they can come apart (lens lifts off the frame) after a few years. Some times Melrose has new tops w/ slight defects that they offer for sale in the for sale section.
Some insurance companys will cover your targa top being damaged, it depends on how it happened.

Randy

 

No comprehensive insurance so thats out. Shoulda done it but I figured to get it after some paint repair to prevent denials at a later date. I dont know if they would have covered stupidity as a cause for the damage anyway, lol.

Someone offered to sell me an adaptor to fit an 88 and newer top to the 85 mounting. I have been trying to locate these adaptors to see whats involved but I am having no luck. Anyone have a link to these? The seller is unsure as he got the adaptor in a parts lot he purchased so I am looking for more info. There are alot more later tops available if they can be adapted.

Are the panels all the same, just mounting hardware different? A fiberglass panel could be swapped over alot easier than the acrylic. My metal parts survived the airborne incident so I could swap them over to a newer panel if it is possible. The basic dimensions should not have changed, just mounting. Am I correct in this assumption?

TAI!

 

You call Melrose they will probably be able to answer your questions, I talked to them a while ago about my top and they were very helpful.