C5 Targa Top Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 235
Likes: 113
From: SC
C5 Targa Top Replacement
I want to replace my targa top on my 2002 C5 coupe. I'm looking at Melrose Corvette. They advertise this:
"These newly refurbished blue transparent roofs are manufactured to factory specs and utilize GM frames and hardware, new weatherstripping, new edge trim channels, and a D.O.T approved hardcoated acrylic lens."
The actual website:
https://www.melrosecorvette.com/97-0...roof-exchange/
The cost is $999 plus core and $55 shipping. My questions are has anyone bought one of these? Are they quality? It seems like a pretty good deal but there are no reviews on the website and I'm new to Corvettes so I don't want to make a $1,000 mistake.
TIA
"These newly refurbished blue transparent roofs are manufactured to factory specs and utilize GM frames and hardware, new weatherstripping, new edge trim channels, and a D.O.T approved hardcoated acrylic lens."
The actual website:
https://www.melrosecorvette.com/97-0...roof-exchange/
The cost is $999 plus core and $55 shipping. My questions are has anyone bought one of these? Are they quality? It seems like a pretty good deal but there are no reviews on the website and I'm new to Corvettes so I don't want to make a $1,000 mistake.
TIA
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 935
From: Orlando Florida
No experience with them, but I will note that GM weather strips are $700, and by many accounts the only weather strips that fit properly and work. If it has GM strips and a new lense, $1k is a bargain. I’d have to inquire from the seller which weather stepping is used before a purchase, and if they are non-GM would worry about buying leaks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 262
Likes: 60
I bought a new top, aftermarket seller off ebay about a year ago. Cost was about that.
I'm pleased with it. My top was trashed when I bought the car. And I like the transparent better than painted. Like everything else on these older cars. Put your money into the parts that make it enjoyable to drive.
The plus side, for a grand you'll likely never buy another one
I'm pleased with it. My top was trashed when I bought the car. And I like the transparent better than painted. Like everything else on these older cars. Put your money into the parts that make it enjoyable to drive.
The plus side, for a grand you'll likely never buy another one
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 235
Likes: 113
From: SC
I checked in the C6 forum and found some good reviews and no bad ones. The same goes just checking on Google. According to people on the C6 forum, they've been in business for many years, it's a father/son owned business and they do good work. So I ordered a top. I'll give my own review after I get it but I'm betting I'll be very happy. I hate having to spend money after just buying the car. But I know I'll be unhappy with an otherwise great car so I'm going for it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
I got a replacement from Corvette Tops a few years ago. Price was half what Melrose is. I just checked and their website is still up (corvettetops.com).
Overall I’m satisfied. Some fitment issues but nothing glaringly obvious. Kind of like when I pointed them out to my wife and son they gave me that “you’re being WAY OCD on this” look, LOL!
And, IIRC, the lens doesn’t have any coating. But it may be an option if you’re on a budget. Mine is still going strong; a few scratches but nothing that couldn’t be polished out.
Overall I’m satisfied. Some fitment issues but nothing glaringly obvious. Kind of like when I pointed them out to my wife and son they gave me that “you’re being WAY OCD on this” look, LOL!
And, IIRC, the lens doesn’t have any coating. But it may be an option if you’re on a budget. Mine is still going strong; a few scratches but nothing that couldn’t be polished out.
Last edited by jjaaam; Sep 11, 2022 at 10:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 235
Likes: 113
From: SC
I saw them earlier when I was googling. The price that's half what Melrose charges does not include new seals. It's just the top itself that gets replaced. And if you don't need seals, that's a great deal. But since my car is now 20 years old, I don't trust the seals to continue working as they should so I opted to spend all the money at once and get everything done.
I'm sure Corvette Tops is a quality shop and I'm not knocking them. I just went by other people's reviews of Melrose and went with them. Thanks for your recommendation though. Much appreciated.
I'm sure Corvette Tops is a quality shop and I'm not knocking them. I just went by other people's reviews of Melrose and went with them. Thanks for your recommendation though. Much appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 174
From: Mid-Michigan
Melrose has an excellent reputation for their tops. IIRC, they use the original style blue acrylic. I was going to go that direction until I happened to find a perfect OEM GM top for sale here.
The weather strip Melrose talks about are the two side strips on the top itself. They are expensive when using OEM parts, but not overly so.
The poster who claims the seal is $700 is talking about the halo seal from door to door on the body of the car that the top sits up against. THAT is very expensive, and only the GM replacement really fits correctly. Been there.
I would have no issue with using Melrose for a new top.
The weather strip Melrose talks about are the two side strips on the top itself. They are expensive when using OEM parts, but not overly so.
The poster who claims the seal is $700 is talking about the halo seal from door to door on the body of the car that the top sits up against. THAT is very expensive, and only the GM replacement really fits correctly. Been there.
I would have no issue with using Melrose for a new top.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
I saw them earlier when I was googling. The price that's half what Melrose charges does not include new seals. It's just the top itself that gets replaced. And if you don't need seals, that's a great deal. But since my car is now 20 years old, I don't trust the seals to continue working as they should so I opted to spend all the money at once and get everything done.
I'm sure Corvette Tops is a quality shop and I'm not knocking them. I just went by other people's reviews of Melrose and went with them. Thanks for your recommendation though. Much appreciated.
I'm sure Corvette Tops is a quality shop and I'm not knocking them. I just went by other people's reviews of Melrose and went with them. Thanks for your recommendation though. Much appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 1,409
From: New Jersey
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '25
I used Melrose and they are very good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 948
Likes: 100
From: Lehigh Valley PA
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I had seen a video a few years back on how to sand the scratches out of the top. Maybe that's an alternative before spending a grand. Maybe I can find the video or someone else has it on the web.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Menasha, WI
Corvettetops.com
I just recieved my new lens from Corvettetops.com. It arrived in great condition and I'll be gluing it on later today. I'm impressed with the service from the company. I give Corvettetops.com a thumbs up 👍
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Probably too late to be relevant to OP, but my car has a replacement top from Melrose (paid for by insurance) and it's a great piece. Highly recommended.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
I just bought their transparent blue replacement roof. The service was quick and friendly. The UPS delivery happened within a couple of days. I sent back my old core in the same box theirs came in and got my core refund quick. Their replacement roof looks great! I am very happy with this transaction and definitely recommend them :-)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 884
From: Nappytown MD