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With the arctic cold weather in STL recently, I've managed to crack my targa top. This is my daily driver, so I know it's dirty - overlook that for me. The top kinda has a dip (low portion) in the center. This seems to extend to the top of the hatch glass as well. Much like the one on the hood. Here's my question: Is this normal?
Wanting to buy a non-Lexan top due to cooking while driving in the STL summer months, but I don't see this same "dip" in the painted ones on eBay, so I'm not sure it will fit the same way. Can I only replace with another glass top?
Solid top fits exactly the same as the transparent top, my car came with both.
As stated above they fit the same. I have both as well and the lexan (clear top) has two more noticeable humps above the driver and passenger seats. Better for fitting a driver with a helmet on compared to the SMC (sheet molded composite) painted top. You get another inch or so of head room with the lexan. The SMC top is the same material the body of the car is made of.
The SMC hood with liner keeps the interior waaay cooler than the lexan top during really sunny hot days. The SMC top also keeps it quite a bit quieter inside the car. Plus the interior looks more refined from inside with the SMC top.
I rarely keep a top on my car when I take it out but when it's really sunny and hot it's the SMC. For cooler cloudy days or chilly nights I use the lexan top.
... the lexan (clear top) has two more noticeable humps above the driver and passenger seats. Better for fitting a driver with a helmet on compared to the SMC (sheet molded composite) painted top. You get another inch or so of head room with the lexan. The SMC top is the same material the body of the car is made of.
Really appreciate the additional info Johnny! That explains what I am seeing. Still in search of an SMC top that is at least close my pewter color.
Really appreciate the additional info Johnny! That explains what I am seeing. Still in search of an SMC top that is at least close my pewter color.
Thanks,
Brad-in-STL
Finding a pewter color matched targa is likeiy to be a needle in the haystack exercise that will take quite a long time and a fairly big budget if one comes up on FB market or eBay. You could also opt in on one that is color matched to a different color and have a trusted body shop paint it for you. Or if your good at DIY bodywork & paint (like my brother) you could pull it off on a weekend yourself.
Back in the early 2ks you could score a color matched SMC targa off eBay for around $450. And the lexan a few $ less. Now days not so much. Sellers are asking around $700+ for either the lexan or SMC and pewter is rarely ever an option.
Easy (maybe not best) bet is a new/ refurbed acrylic/lexan top from Corvetteparts.com or Top-flight. But you'll still be paying around $1k+ which is bat **** crazy.
The second-hand market for a lexan top will be the cheapest route but online sellers aren't always honest and their photos misleading. One of the C5 salvage suppliers may have good options. And maybe you'll get lucky and a used one will pop up on the forum for sale section close enough to STL you can inspect it before you purchase.
Curious if anyone / vendor is selling like new or refurbished lexan top?
would love to have both, think it would add a nice option 😎🍻
Corvetteparts.com and Top-Flight have them. They are $1k+ (which is nuts). I've not purchased anything from either supplier in a very long time. So can't speak to their service/support or advocate either is good to deal with in 2026. But they have them.
If I were shopping for one current state I'd source one from a trusted salvage supplier or local to me forum seller or FBM seller. A local forum member or FBM seller being my preference.
Just checking on how the restored targa looks... do tell, Daniel!
looks brand new. I'll try to snap a pic tomorrow. My old one was in horrible shape. It looked like someone took a sander to the lens, and the weatherstriping was ripped in half on both sides
Targa Time
