Removable Hard Top Verts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Korea
Removable Hard Top Verts
Has anyone bought a Smoothline Custom removal hardtop for your vert?
http://www.smoothline.com/contemporary_models_C5.php
Checking to see if anyone liked it. There wasn't a price on their site and of course if you have to ask, you can't afford.
There might be a cheaper method?
http://www.smoothline.com/contemporary_models_C5.php
Checking to see if anyone liked it. There wasn't a price on their site and of course if you have to ask, you can't afford.
There might be a cheaper method?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
From: Langhorne PA
I've got one. fits well the back window is as small as the soft top and has the defroster on it (though I don't really ever think that I'd use it), headliner is nicely done, weighs about 45 lbs, can put it on alone, it's just a little cumbersome. Keeps the cold winds out. Had mine done in Black Vinyl...I know, but I like it.
Check one of the sig pics
Check one of the sig pics
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I had one when I first bought my '02 in late 2001. I had been away from Vettes for 20 years or so and was thinking like a C-3 guy and wanted a "Both Tops Car" not knowing that by the time the C5 came out ragtops were very much improved. I also found myself not using the car as much in the winter as I thought I would. So out to eBay it went in 2004. It did put a whole different "look" on the car. It fit fairly good and my body man told me he was impressed with the quality of the fiberglass. (Not as much of his preparation required.) Definately a rarity, if that interests you. Storing it when it when not on the car was an issue with me. I don't miss the hard top at all. Hope this helped in your decision.
Last edited by Ol'55; Oct 24, 2006 at 05:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
I considered it on more than one occasion but could not justify the cost, complexity, storage, preparation etc...... Of course 75% of my driving is done topless as my car is not a DD but I do use the car all year round. With the soft top up and the heat on winter driving is no problem. Now if you need a top in order to race at the track then that is a different story.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Just got mine.
Just picked my C-5's top up from the paint shop (delivered last month). Got many compliments from the shop owner on the workmanship and priming of the Smooth Line top.
Big advantage to the top is that it noticeably cuts down on road noise. And it makes the C5 convertible look like a Z06 when installed.
Some tips from my experience:
* Look for the sales, particularly those offered around Corvettes at Carlyse time (late August). Smooth Line knocks a few hundred off the price.
* If you are having the top painted professionally, make sure the shop inspects for pin holes...even though the primer coat was done well, the shop found some holes and tended to them.
* The rear mounting plates that fit within the enclosure for the soft top hinge should be leaned forward (vice the picture in the installation directions) to prevent contact with the soft top struts when it is raised.
Enjoy!
Big advantage to the top is that it noticeably cuts down on road noise. And it makes the C5 convertible look like a Z06 when installed.
Some tips from my experience:
* Look for the sales, particularly those offered around Corvettes at Carlyse time (late August). Smooth Line knocks a few hundred off the price.
* If you are having the top painted professionally, make sure the shop inspects for pin holes...even though the primer coat was done well, the shop found some holes and tended to them.
* The rear mounting plates that fit within the enclosure for the soft top hinge should be leaned forward (vice the picture in the installation directions) to prevent contact with the soft top struts when it is raised.
Enjoy!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
There is a company that originally sells um for 3k but they are on sale now for 1500. I cant remeber who it was off the top of my head but pm me if you want to know and I can get you the name 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Korea
Thanks for the input, guys.
I'm not exactly sure why I want it. I think mostly because I want to have the Z06 look, but the convenience to go top less every once in a while.
I just wasn't sure if the price was all that worth it, but for $1500, I can tolorate that. Is the top identical to the Z06 tops? I heard that some of the windows are smaller.
I'm not exactly sure why I want it. I think mostly because I want to have the Z06 look, but the convenience to go top less every once in a while.
I just wasn't sure if the price was all that worth it, but for $1500, I can tolorate that. Is the top identical to the Z06 tops? I heard that some of the windows are smaller.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
We have the Caravaggio hardtop...
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/hardtop/list1.html
We use it primarily for the track. It does give the convertible the more aggressive Z06 look. Here is a link to photos...
http://c5.techbottle.com/hardtop/hardtop.htm
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/hardtop/list1.html
We use it primarily for the track. It does give the convertible the more aggressive Z06 look. Here is a link to photos...
http://c5.techbottle.com/hardtop/hardtop.htm
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Korea
Originally Posted by Sully C5
We have the Caravaggio hardtop...
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/hardtop/list1.html
We use it primarily for the track. It does give the convertible the more aggressive Z06 look. Here is a link to photos...
http://c5.techbottle.com/hardtop/hardtop.htm
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/hardtop/list1.html
We use it primarily for the track. It does give the convertible the more aggressive Z06 look. Here is a link to photos...
http://c5.techbottle.com/hardtop/hardtop.htm
