Oyea

Ever have a moment where you wish you could kick your own @ss?!

I left work on Friday and decided it was a nice day to ride around with the top off. I do a few errands, then picked up my wife and went to my mothers house to treat her out for dinner. When I got to her house, I put the top back on, then started tucking in the rubber seals as I was blabbing about random things that happened during the day.

We all hop in my mothers truck, and go out for dinner. We get back an hour later, say our goodbye's and my wife and I get back in the Vette to head home. Roughly 1/4 mile away, I heard this odd concussion sound *whump*, then *poof* the top flies up about 15 feet into the air!

My first thought was, "that's gonna be expensive".

My second thought was, "Oh sh*t! I hope nobody's right behind me".

I look in the rear view mirror, and luckily the closest car was about 10 car legnths behind. I watched the top land, then flip in the air, and land again. I quickly put my hazards on and U-turn.

This nice lady 2 cars behind me (original direction I was driving) puts on hers, and stops behind the top so I can pick it up without worry of getting hit. It's starting to get dark, but she can see the top is in one piece and asks if it's ok - I replied that it was and thanked her for her help.

I put the top on - and make sure it's latched this time (smooth move dumb @ss), and drive home.

The next day, I take a look at the damage. The top appears to suffered no damage at all. The inside, the back latch and 2 front latches took the brunt of it - all 3 are pretty well scraped. One of the edges are scraped as well. Everything else looked fine, until I put the top back on - I noticed that the edges of the top have seperated from the glass - but only in the rear. Also, instead of it lying flat on the glass, it's popped up 1/4 an inch.

I do some research, and find new tops start around $700. So I decided, since I'm poor by Vette owner standards, I was going to do some home repairs. I clamped both sides, then used clear silicone in the grooves to avoid any possible rain intrusion. Judging by last nights thunder storm, I did an ok job.

Anyway, since I fixed the top instead of shelling out the $$$ for a new one, does that mean I should grow a mullet and move in a trailer and be disowned by CF, or will everyone here allow me to repent and stay a member?

HummelS

Welcome to the Flying Roof Club - you are not alone!

cadams

been there. I swear those tops are engineered to land that way.

MyVetteDream

Welcome to the FRC ... here's your sign:



You're not the first. Unfortunately, you won't be the last ...
Glad one one was hurt ....
Check the C5 Parts Section ... I hope you can find one there.

v.vet's Z06

You can stay! I enjoyed the story and hope it never happens to me.....you never know. Good job fixing it....no one will be able to tell at highway speed!

LTC Z06

Welcome to the DIY club also!

sailohio

You can repent, stay a member and join the flying top club. I've had a bad day at work today. If you need any help kicking yopur as*, I'm ready and willing to help.

ecook

Happened to me a mth or two ago. Replaced my top with a glass one. I think I like the glass one better anyway. I had my insurance company pay for the new top.

screw991le

Doh

Luv2Run

I always put my visors in the down position before putting the top back on. That way I am reminded to check the latches before driving off.
So far it's worked. Maybe that idea will help you.

Don

craig04c5

Also been there but it was my WS6 TransAm and I saw the roof lift and I was able to slow down before it flew off. I got distracted putting the drivers side T-top back on and forgot to latch it. Since it was glass it would not have survived.
Glad you had minimal damage! To this day I will not even talk until I have it latched the top in my vette. BTW on a similar event I was putting the top back on my vette when it dropped thru and hit my wife on the head. She was not pleased and had a bump on her head. We now have a proceedure that she raises her hands if she is in the car when I put the top on and we laugh each time. Thank god she was sitting there or the top and interior would have suffered .

crawfish333

Sounds like you were very fortunate the damage wasn't worse and there was no one following close behind. Glad you were able to fix the top, that is what I would have tried to do also, since I am not rich either. The FTC is one I do not hope to join.

Oyea

Maybe it's misery loves company - but I don't feel so bad now, knowing I'm not the only one to have done this.

0Rage@AutoBuffs

Been there, Done That!

BUK VETT

You know I never knew this was such a common problem prior to joining this forum. Maybe it's a jinx of the forum?! Seriously though - do you think the General could put some sort of warning light on the instrument panel - I mean, it can tell you when a door is ajar - duhh. Why not tell you when your roof is not latched? Or is this a feature on the C6?

Mike04

Did that a few months back.... Turned it into insurance, cost me $100.00 deductable. The total bill was $2200 for a new complete painted top.

jrose7004

That only happens about 100 times a month by reading the post on here! Glad nobody was hurt!

LiquidDI

My friend just had it happen last week too. His landed the exact same way too. Amazing.

sts57c5

unreal

Black 00 Coup

Welcome to the flying roof club.