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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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Hi all, I had my 2003 Vette detailed the other day and I was looking at it and had an idea. It occured to me that as good as it looks with the targa top off, that it might look even better with the rear hatch off as well. I wondered if a easy removal system could be developed to take the window off and store in the garage and possibly a soft cover made to protect the same area in the event of inclement weather. I think the center section would look like a rollbar and the overall look would be very pleasing to the eye . Opinions?????
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:39 AM
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Get a convertable and put a roll bar on it
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:39 AM
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I think you'd just get pulled over allot with it off. But go ahead and remove the hatch and see how you like the look before improvising a quick release. I think you will find that it is way to heavy to be taking on and off.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 11:04 AM
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I just don't think it would look all that great. One of the things I like about the coupe is the lines the rear hatch provides when looking at the car. And I would agree - it would be very heavy to put the windows on/off and not sure just how easy it would be to come up with a system to do so.

But, if you proceed with this, please document what you do and take some pics.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:23 PM
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Interesting...
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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Take a pic. I wanna see
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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For it to look anywhere near right, you would need to have a cover made up to fill in cargo area flush with the top of the rear quarter panels.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverback51
For it to look anywhere near right, you would need to have a cover made up to fill in cargo area flush with the top of the rear quarter panels.
Yeah, otherwise it would like a redneck Vettemino.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 01:03 PM
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Not to mention airflow in that big open area would unbalance the car's aerodynamics. Could cause an very unpleasant, erratic feel at any speed.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 01:20 PM
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Default Rear Hatch ?

I never thought of removing the hatch. But along with the Now famous "Hood Seal" of cheap mods, I found and installed a Hatch seal. It starts at the uppermost corner, runs down and back, across the hatch and forward and up the passengers side. Makes a world of difference in sound from out side the sides and rear of the car.

Along with a new set of Michelin Pilot sport PS/2 ZP tires I can now listen to music or just drive and it's quiet inside the car. It takes awhile to install, but take your time and it's a well-worth-it-mod.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 01:30 PM
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so basically a coupe with the roof off and the back glass smashed out?

they made a vert for a reason.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 02:27 PM
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Agree. Get a Vert.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by NukeC5
I think you'd just get pulled over allot with it off. But go ahead and remove the hatch and see how you like the look before improvising a quick release. I think you will find that it is way to heavy to be taking on and off.
I'm curious, why do you think he'll get pulled over allot? How would it be different than driving a convertible?
OP, I too think it might look better without the rear glass but like the poster said above, the window will be heavy.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 03:00 PM
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Like a Vette open air El Camino....do post pics.....
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 03:08 PM
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Jim, do you have a picture of this?
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 03:34 PM
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You could then put a plastic tarp in the back, fill it with water................................... ..................
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 03:43 PM
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Ok guys I get it, I just liked the idea of that center section looking like a cool mod style roll bar. I do appreciate All of your opinions though and you guys definitely thought of some problems that I did not. Allways trying to think of some way to mod the vette though, just one of my many faults.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by chevrolee
Ok guys I get it, I just liked the idea of that center section looking like a cool mod style roll bar. I do appreciate All of your opinions though and you guys definitely thought of some problems that I did not. Allways trying to think of some way to mod the vette though, just one of my many faults.
Always thinking about mods is NEVER a fault, keep on thinkin'!
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 06:43 PM
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Well there were some people I knew long ago that got drunk and decided to make an open top Mini.

Did not turn out all that bad, but it flexed like crazy. No torsional strength at all.

Go get a keg of beer, 6 or more friends and have at it.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverback51
For it to look anywhere near right, you would need to have a cover made up to fill in cargo area flush with the top of the rear quarter panels.
Didn't some vendor have something like this for C4's, that replaced the back window with a panel that made it "resemble" the C3's back window with the flying buttress sides? Seems like I remember something like that, but if I remember right, it looked kinda hokey!!!!

DSTURBD
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