Convertible Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New York
Convertible Question
Hi, everyone. I'm new to the forum. I just purchased an '04 C5 Convertible. My car is Magnetic Red/Blk Top/Blk Interior. The car is automatic with 3800 miles. I've added a Corsa Cat Back, K & N Filter and I've reprogrammed with a Zip Programmer. Sorry to 
bore you all with so much detail. I love the car EXCEPT for one thing, a non powered convertible top. I know Cevrolet did not offer this option until 05. My question is does anyone know an aftermarket company that will covert this top to power? Thanks so much!!!!
bore you all with so much detail. I love the car EXCEPT for one thing, a non powered convertible top. I know Cevrolet did not offer this option until 05. My question is does anyone know an aftermarket company that will covert this top to power? Thanks so much!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,887
Likes: 2
From: Macomb MI
St. Jude Contributor
Welcome to the Forum 
Sorry I don't know anyone that would convert that to a power top, but if the factory ones on the 2005 and newer model are close to $2000 option, imagine what it would cost to do yours from scratch
Sorry I don't know anyone that would convert that to a power top, but if the factory ones on the 2005 and newer model are close to $2000 option, imagine what it would cost to do yours from scratch
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New York
I know it can be put down quickly, but its reassuring to know that if you are driving and the weather turns quickly, which it often does in the NY area, all you have to do is press a button and the top will go up just like it does in some $20,000 production cars. Thanks for the responses guys.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Sorry that I was rude and did not welcome you to the Forum and congratulate you on your Vette purchase.
On of the main reasons Chevrolet did not put on a power top was to keep the weight down.
I acutally think I saw an aftermarket conversion in a magazine and have been looking for it since I posted....
So far no luck...
The one I am thinking about is a C5 automatic hard top retrofit.
On of the main reasons Chevrolet did not put on a power top was to keep the weight down.
I acutally think I saw an aftermarket conversion in a magazine and have been looking for it since I posted....
So far no luck...
The one I am thinking about is a C5 automatic hard top retrofit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Let me also welcome the OP to the forum....
But if you check another thread (selling a C6 to go back to a C5) I serously questioned the NEED & THE PRICE) of a powered top for the C6...
I was dead serious both my wife and I are OVER 60...and either of us can put the top up or down (one handed) in less then a minute...honestly probably less then 30 seconds...
Just my opinion of the NEED for a power top...ghees almost a months
Social Security check for a power top... NO THANKS...
But if you check another thread (selling a C6 to go back to a C5) I serously questioned the NEED & THE PRICE) of a powered top for the C6...
I was dead serious both my wife and I are OVER 60...and either of us can put the top up or down (one handed) in less then a minute...honestly probably less then 30 seconds...
Just my opinion of the NEED for a power top...ghees almost a months
Social Security check for a power top... NO THANKS...
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New York
Thanks for all the responses. I kind of get the hint about the power top. I guess it's more vanity than anything else. If I have the top down and I'm going to park its nice to touch a button instead of getting out of the car and manually putting up the top in my "expensive" sports car while others watch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I challenged a guy that worked for me and I got out, put the top up, got back in quicker than he could put the power top up on his Mercedes SLK. Who would get wetter? Of course here in AZ we can't spell rain so the top is down 99% of the time. 
Welcome to the Forum and I hope we weren't too tough on you.
Welcome to the Forum and I hope we weren't too tough on you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New York
Thanks guys for all the warm welcomes!! I mean it when I say that I am touched!! The forum is great and it's success comes from it's great members!! I'm honored to be welcomed by you! Thanks for inviting me in!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,060
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by Vette'n04
Thanks for all the responses. I kind of get the hint about the power top. I guess it's more vanity than anything else. If I have the top down and I'm going to park its nice to touch a button instead of getting out of the car and manually putting up the top in my "expensive" sports car while others watch.
...I get totally embarrassed :o when I have to put my top up or down in public.....the stares...I just can't take it anymore
BTW...welcome to the forum
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Congrats and I hope the manual top doesn't bother you for long. I had wished for a power top option when I was searching for C5's also, not due to vanity, but because I'm a lazy sombidge. The top goes up or down so quickly and so easily, that I don't give it a second thought. In fact. this top is so nicely designed and works so well that it completely removed any reservations I may have had about going with a vert.
Well. Taking a test drive in a vert with the top down actually removed all the reservations. The rest was just a bonus.
Rejoice in the extra room you've got in the trunk compared to C6's and one less thing that can break later on.
Oh yeah, one more thing. I've yet to notice anyone giggle and point at me while I'm putting the top up or down.
Well. Taking a test drive in a vert with the top down actually removed all the reservations. The rest was just a bonus.
Rejoice in the extra room you've got in the trunk compared to C6's and one less thing that can break later on.
Oh yeah, one more thing. I've yet to notice anyone giggle and point at me while I'm putting the top up or down.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Welcome 
We don't need no stinkin power tops.....we are tough corvette owners.
Seriously, I hear you and I wouldn't mind having one either, but the cost of an aftermarket is going to be more than I would be willing to spend. You'll find much better use of your Mod Money than a power top.
Again, Welcome and Enjoy
We don't need no stinkin power tops.....we are tough corvette owners.
Seriously, I hear you and I wouldn't mind having one either, but the cost of an aftermarket is going to be more than I would be willing to spend. You'll find much better use of your Mod Money than a power top.
Again, Welcome and Enjoy
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plymouth Massachusetts
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Originally Posted by Vette'n04
Thanks for all the responses. I kind of get the hint about the power top. I guess it's more vanity than anything else. If I have the top down and I'm going to park its nice to touch a button instead of getting out of the car and manually putting up the top in my "expensive" sports car while others watch.
ALSO THE LONGER THE POWER TOP TAKES TO GO UP AND DOWN THAN THE MANUAL THE MORE ENVY OF OTHER DRIVERS
Last edited by Always Red Dave; May 21, 2006 at 09:55 PM.
Let Me Bignofi That For U
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 415
From: I Lack Boundaries
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Welcome brother! Same car. The top is so small it takes no time at all.
I've only owned one other car (a long time ago), that had an easier top... a 1972 fiat 124 sport spyder. You could manually put it up or down while driving, albeit slowly...
Don't forget to wave!!!
I've only owned one other car (a long time ago), that had an easier top... a 1972 fiat 124 sport spyder. You could manually put it up or down while driving, albeit slowly...
Don't forget to wave!!!