Convertible Owners With Hardtops Step Inside ...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Convertible Owners With Hardtops Step Inside ...
The wife and I are getting fairly serious about getting a hardtop for our 2003 'vert. A couple of questions:
1) I know of the SmoothLine top and the Caravaggio top - are the others?
2) Which one did you get and why?
3) Did you get any of the options?
4) How much did it cost you to paint it?
5) What else should I know?
1) I know of the SmoothLine top and the Caravaggio top - are the others?
2) Which one did you get and why?
3) Did you get any of the options?
4) How much did it cost you to paint it?
5) What else should I know?
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 a Smoothline with both the high end headliner and the glass window w/deicer. I paid $500 to get it prepped and painted. The Caravaggio is a better unit for a few reasons (and about $1K more). I sold mine after it lived in the over head of the garage for 2 years not being used and I would recommend you reconsider the need (=none) or want other than the uniqueness of it as the fitment/ attaching point is less than desirable and there is no benefit from noise or insulation over the '01-'04 OEM vert top. In retrospect I feel C5 hard tops are an impulse buy and are throwbacks to the both top option of the C2s and C3s. I had my Smoothline drop shipped to my body shop before I took delivery of my ordered '02 vert so it was ready to go when the dealership called us with notice of arrival from the factory. My suggestion is to take the $4k and spend it elsewhere on the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,428
Likes: 5,555
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Save your money for better things. Someone tried to give me hardtop painted to match my car, but think you bought car to take the top down and cruise, why make it hardtop, plus storage will take up room.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: OKlahoma city OK
Or....you could be amazing like GBvette, me and blackmagic and take the z06 roof and make a hard top/targa top/ convertible. I think it is the best of all worlds and is really rare to find on the street.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 844
Likes: 32
From: Wilmington DE
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '09
I didn't get one for my Vette vert, because I DID have one for my MB 450SL. I hardly ever used it, and it was a pain in the butt to install (need at least 2 people), store ,and move. I agree with those who suggest you save your money for something else. Best of luck!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 110
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
My vert is pretty much a daily driver so the hard top goes on in the winter. The interior warms up faster and the car is alot quieter. Also a big hit at shows with the top angled up
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Greenbelt Maryland
In Praise of Hardtops...
I agree with the comments about evaluating the "need" for a hardtop, but there are a few perks:
1) If you race your car at the track, I'm allowed to run without a roll cage at most tracks now with the hardtop. The only other option was a roll cage. Others can chime in as to whether the tracks are being negligent in regards to the NHRA rules, but I believe I'm in the clear with the top on the car.
2) It really insulates a lot of external noise. Most folks complain about road noise from the wheels, but I found that a lot of ambient noise was completely eliminated when I run the top.
3) It keeps the car warmer during the winter.
4) Popping it on makes me feel like I have a second car. :-)
Most of the negatives have already been mentioned, but I'll tack on one more -- when the body flexes, there may be some squeaking. It's not bad, but it could annoy you.
Oh, and here's a pictture of my convertible with the hardtop:
1) If you race your car at the track, I'm allowed to run without a roll cage at most tracks now with the hardtop. The only other option was a roll cage. Others can chime in as to whether the tracks are being negligent in regards to the NHRA rules, but I believe I'm in the clear with the top on the car.
2) It really insulates a lot of external noise. Most folks complain about road noise from the wheels, but I found that a lot of ambient noise was completely eliminated when I run the top.
3) It keeps the car warmer during the winter.
4) Popping it on makes me feel like I have a second car. :-)
Most of the negatives have already been mentioned, but I'll tack on one more -- when the body flexes, there may be some squeaking. It's not bad, but it could annoy you.
Oh, and here's a pictture of my convertible with the hardtop:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
IF your Vette is a daily driver, and you live in rain or snow country, the hardtop will be a nice option. If you can keep the car in the garage during inclement weather, put the money elsewhere.
The above is based on experience in the Seattle area with a daily driven Sunbeam Tiger in the mid 70's. When it's snowing and blowing the hardtops are sure nice to have.
Bob B.
The above is based on experience in the Seattle area with a daily driven Sunbeam Tiger in the mid 70's. When it's snowing and blowing the hardtops are sure nice to have.
Bob B.
