top flew off
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
top flew off
So a few nights ago I got home and put the top on my targa vette but did not latch it thinking that I was taking it out the next morning and that way I could just take it off in the morning without having to get down in it to unlatch the top. Well it was real cloudy and I opted to not take it out. Well yesterday it was pretty out so I took the vette to school.... forgetting my "time saver" of not latching it a few nights ago... and about a mile down the road... there it went. luckily i have the smoke top in addition to the color matching one.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
i know what you mean. it's so easy to just drop the targa on top to prevent dust from falling in the cockpit. and it's too late now but next time you can get some high reflective red tape like they use to fix tail signal lights and put a layer on the unlocked side so you know at a glance when the "dogs" are in the unlocked position. i also removed the sun visors so i can see the position of the forward locks just to be sure they are locked down.
good luck. i hope the damage was not significant.
good luck. i hope the damage was not significant.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Seems like this thread gets posted about once a month. Don't feel bad, apparently you aren't alone...
I don't take my top of much at all, prolly 5 times total since I've had the car, so I have been lucky I guess. Good luck with getting it fixed. You can usually pick up a used top, either glass or body color for not too much money
I don't take my top of much at all, prolly 5 times total since I've had the car, so I have been lucky I guess. Good luck with getting it fixed. You can usually pick up a used top, either glass or body color for not too much money
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
So a few nights ago I got home and put the top on my targa vette but did not latch it thinking that I was taking it out the next morning and that way I could just take it off in the morning without having to get down in it to unlatch the top. Well it was real cloudy and I opted to not take it out. Well yesterday it was pretty out so I took the vette to school.... forgetting my "time saver" of not latching it a few nights ago... and about a mile down the road... there it went. luckily i have the smoke top in addition to the color matching one.
unbelievable
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 418
Likes: 1
From: Metro Atlanta Georgia
When I had my c4 and wanted to temporarly set the top in place (since you had to tighten 4 bolts to install it), I always left my umbrella in the seat so I would not forget. Now with the c5, it is so easy to attach, I always latch it, even if I intended to remove it soon.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 40
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From: Tennessee
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
It happened to me in 06. I took the top off to do some interior work, install CLB, new shifter, steering wheel wrap. It was July and very hot in the garage. I had a fan going and the top off for better air flow and light. As I was finishing everything up, my neighbor came over to see what I was doing. I got distracted and forgot to latch the top. Took the car for a ride and at about 35-40 mph, the top flew. It made me feel sick to my stomach.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 10
From: Charleston SC
I kept wondering what FRC stood for..
"LiKe OMG 4rEaLz! How is it that everyone hasn't been on this forum since '97 and read LiKe EVERY single post!?!?? They should be FLOGGED!!..."
Get over it.
Originally Posted by Glennm27
This post has been written here over the years literally hundreds of times and it still amazes me that anyone could allow this to happen... unbelievable
Get over it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
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From: Charleston SC
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Los Angeles CA
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
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From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Not where I want to be!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19
Feel for ya man. I almost lost mine once thanks to the better half. Came home one evening and installed top, latched my side out of habit. I guess she didn't, next day started down the road and this rattle starts up. I'm thinking WTF is that. Looked up and passenger side of top is starting to bounce, pulled down visor latched top. Close call. 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Katonah NY
And let's not forget about the convertable owners out there. I forgot to latch my top and it poped up at about 40 mph. Luckily no damage, but it's a lessen I won't soon forget...
PRC = Popped Roof Club
PRC = Popped Roof Club