So I ordered my 99 coupe last Wednesday and since I have been out of the state, I sent my dad to go pick it up. From the time he started driving it he said he thought the top sounded really loud. Not being a recent corvette owner, he had no idea how to figure out if it was properly in place. After a few miles of driving, he went over a set of railroad tracks at about 35mph and there goes the glass top, into the road with oncoming cars. Luckily all of the cars were able to miss the top and nothing appeared broken. He said there is a slight scuff on the latch that attaches it to the car, but other than that, no real damage. All in all I think I was pretty lucky that nothing broke. I was just wondering if was definately due to that fact that it was not latched properly or has anyone ever had theirs come off for any other reason?

 

Man, you were lucky! I have never heard of a properly latched top flying off.

 

Sorry to hear you're already a member of the Flying Roof Club. That may be a record for the quickest membership. Glad the damage doesn't sound too bad. I don't think there is any way a properly latched roof will come off. Perhaps if you push the issue with the seller, you can get compensated for the damage.

 

I'm a member of the club.... Welcome

 

Was your membership a result of you not latching it properly or was there a malfunction?

 

I'm in the club as well, but it was my own dumb a$$ fault. Luckily mine came out like yours and no significant damage was done.

 

That sucks, to bad the seller did not let your dad know about the top, they should have done that.
Even though I got my car at a dealer, the salesperson at least took the time to show me how to take the top off, put on , secure etc..

glad noone was hurt! At least now learning from this, you'll never forget to latch the top.

 

Thank heaven it was not worse. However, what a horrible feeling to know that your roof can be a flying saucer. Batten down the hatch, check the latching mechanism, and, fitment every time to enter and egress the vehicle.

 

Okay im confused here, first off how did you order a 99 coupe (didnt they stop making those in 99)?

Second, why was your dad driving 35 mph over railroad tracks You might have to ground him from driving your car!!

Im glad your roof is okay though, better luck next time!

 

Not a member of the club myself , but have known someone that was not so lucky .
glad it turned out alright, welcome to the forum

 

got out lucky

 

Sorry about the luck. That is the fastest membership I have ever seen in the flying roof club. Glad the damage doesn't sound too bad. I hate to tell you this but I have never (in 4 years here) heard of any coming off that were on properly. When you see the latch mechanism you will quickly see that there is almost no way for all of the latches to fail that could result in the top coming off. There are three separate latches that need to be in place and any two of them should be sufficient to hold the top on.

Paul

 

While the incident probably nearly makes you sick, think of all the laughs it will provide for you and your Dad when the story is told over and over for years to come. Can I suggest a licence plate? FRC KING

 

Sorry, I should have clarified. By order, I meant that I bought it online off of ebay. I considered it placing an order for a used vehicle. A better word would have just been, "bought". And the road he was on was a 45 mph speed limit that was meant to drive over the tracks at 45mph. There are many roads like this particularly in the Richmond, Virginia area.

I'm glad the roof is okay too.

 

ya got lucky it didnt smash all over the road

 

I had the front portion of my convertible top fly up at about 30MPH-no damage done. Forgot to do the latches. Has this happened to anyone else? Seems like there would be a dash warning light and/or sound to warn you like the seat belts and door ajar warnings.

 

the thought of joining the frc scares me. i now push up on the roof every time i get in. bub

 

I think you were lucky. Most members of the Flying Roof Club pay a much higher initiation fee.

 

Is this like ordering a Pizza and having Dad go pick it up...
How do you order a 99 Corvette?
I'm really lost in this post.....
I understand the top came off..... it happens alot.. sorry to hear that
I don't get the order part...
If this was a used car purchase.. then the damage is on the dealer...and it should have gone right back to him immediatly...there was no mention of that in this post...Thats why I am so lost...
that top is 1000 dollars and if it flew off five minutes after I picked it up I would be right back in the dealers face... if that didn't happen on the spot then its too late now.

 

Read Post 14