Smoothline Hard Top for Verts?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Smoothline Hard Top for Verts?
Has anyone got one of these Smooth Line Hard Top for their convertible? How do you like it? Any problems?
http://www.smoothline.com/contemporary_models_C5.php
http://www.smoothline.com/contemporary_models_C5.php
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Chances are the Smoothline hardtop wouldn't qualify for most HPDE/track days. They don't offer any sort of rollover protection like the factory C4 hardtop did.
Thee tops apparently don't come painted so figure on another $400 to $600 for paint. The rear window is plexiglas not a tempered glass so you don't get the benefit of a grid-type defogger unless you order the glass and defogger option.
It looks like these tops could get VERY expensive if you went will all of the add-ons.
Thee tops apparently don't come painted so figure on another $400 to $600 for paint. The rear window is plexiglas not a tempered glass so you don't get the benefit of a grid-type defogger unless you order the glass and defogger option.
It looks like these tops could get VERY expensive if you went will all of the add-ons.
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Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
Smoothline Removal Hardtops for Convertibles
I had one on my 1993 C-4, I really liked it. When I lived above the Mason-Dixon line, it really made a difference when the temps. dropped into the frigid zone. The most important thing is to get a good paint match. I saw a C-5 with one, and the shade (red) was not even close, and it will stand out clearly if not matched perfectly. I asked the owner of the C-5 how he liked the top, and he was satisfied. He was from KY and drove the car year-round, and stated that the car was much warmer than with just the cloth top in place. The attachment and detachment is very much improved over the earlier years. I have yet to see a top on a C-6, but would like to view one. BTW, get the glass window rather than the plexiglass.
Bronk
Bronk
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
They are a real pain UNLESS you are going to use them often.
Mine sat (actually hung) in the garage for the most part during the 3 years I had it.
If, and that's a big if, I used it more than once during the Spring, Summer, Fall I would be surprised.
I did use it during the winter, maybe three or four times.
Takes two persons to really install - even with the ceiling hoist system (that is if you want to protect the paint).
Once installed (and since this is mostly done at home) you will also have to find someone to assist in removal (again if you care about not scratching the paint).
The 'fit' is not an issue. Finish (from the factory that makes them) will require the painter to really finish them BEFORE painting (if ordered non painted).
Overall, one of the more useless mod's I did, and among these the most expensive.
Sold it for $1k (including the ceiling hoist).
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield CA
Yup, looks like a C6 FRC...really nice. I like the idea of these because they make verts look similar to a FRC, which imo looks better than the coupe.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Chances are the Smoothline hardtop wouldn't qualify for most HPDE/track days. They don't offer any sort of rollover protection like the factory C4 hardtop did.
Thee tops apparently don't come painted so figure on another $400 to $600 for paint. The rear window is plexiglas not a tempered glass so you don't get the benefit of a grid-type defogger unless you order the glass and defogger option.
It looks like these tops could get VERY expensive if you went will all of the add-ons.
Thee tops apparently don't come painted so figure on another $400 to $600 for paint. The rear window is plexiglas not a tempered glass so you don't get the benefit of a grid-type defogger unless you order the glass and defogger option.
It looks like these tops could get VERY expensive if you went will all of the add-ons.
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
Gone, but not forgotten.
They are a real pain UNLESS you are going to use them often.
Mine sat (actually hung) in the garage for the most part during the 3 years I had it.
If, and that's a big if, I used it more than once during the Spring, Summer, Fall I would be surprised.
I did use it during the winter, maybe three or four times.
Takes two persons to really install - even with the ceiling hoist system (that is if you want to protect the paint).
Once installed (and since this is mostly done at home) you will also have to find someone to assist in removal (again if you care about not scratching the paint).
The 'fit' is not an issue. Finish (from the factory that makes them) will require the painter to really finish them BEFORE painting (if ordered non painted).
Overall, one of the more useless mod's I did, and among these the most expensive.
Sold it for $1k (including the ceiling hoist).
They are a real pain UNLESS you are going to use them often.
Mine sat (actually hung) in the garage for the most part during the 3 years I had it.
If, and that's a big if, I used it more than once during the Spring, Summer, Fall I would be surprised.
I did use it during the winter, maybe three or four times.
Takes two persons to really install - even with the ceiling hoist system (that is if you want to protect the paint).
Once installed (and since this is mostly done at home) you will also have to find someone to assist in removal (again if you care about not scratching the paint).
The 'fit' is not an issue. Finish (from the factory that makes them) will require the painter to really finish them BEFORE painting (if ordered non painted).
Overall, one of the more useless mod's I did, and among these the most expensive.
Sold it for $1k (including the ceiling hoist).
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,480
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
my '01 came with one when i bought it about 3 years ago. i like it, i like the way it looks and the fit is <almost> perfect. it can be kind of a pain to put on and take off and it's a bit too heavy for one person to do by themselves. i have done it and have been very lucky not to have damaged anything, not doing it again. one of those things that i could probably do 9 times without damage but that 10th time WILL get you.
mine spends most of its time hanging in the garage also but we do put it on in the summer when we know the top won't be going down for a couple months.
mine spends most of its time hanging in the garage also but we do put it on in the summer when we know the top won't be going down for a couple months.
