C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Feral Industries

Transparent Top - Does it Do Anything?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 08:40 PM
  #41  
Lerxst2112's Avatar
Lerxst2112
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 321
Likes: 2
From: Mobile AL
Default

Two advantages to the clear top nobody's mentioned so far...

1. It turns a gray sky blue. I'm not kidding, look up.

2. Two words: traffic helicopters. Upward visibility is a good thing.

If cost is no object, get both. I did (though cost certainly was not "no object" with me.) I use the clear one 80% of the time but when it gets over 85F have to switch to to the painted one or roast upon entering the car.

I note some people have complained about noise with the clear. Au contraire, (at least on my C5) the painted top is noisier with body flex than the transparent one.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 08:54 PM
  #42  
Datawiz's Avatar
Datawiz
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41,331
Likes: 615
From: FL
CI-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Cruise-In IX AutoX Winner
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '11,'19,'22,'25
St. Jude/CI Name Tag Designer
Default

Originally Posted by martman4
I live in southwest Fl and have the clear top. It may be a little bit warmer but I love the open feeling it gives the car. It does scratch so be real careful with it when stowing it in the rear. I love the clear top though.
Where in SW FL? Check into the sunshade from MidAmerica. I got one and it cuts the heat by 10 degrees.

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=7.163.6420
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 10:32 PM
  #43  
LKicklight's Avatar
LKicklight
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Georgia
Default Lexan Top


Had an opportunity to swap my hardtop for the Lexan Top, easy choice, think the car looks a whole lot better, and fun to drive at night, summer time, top is off most of the time anyway.
kickback
Dallas, Ga.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 10:46 PM
  #44  
Force-1's Avatar
Force-1
Team Owner
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47,038
Likes: 66
From: Albuquerque NM
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '24
I believe in the Beer Fairy
USAF (Retired) 1979-2001
Default

Originally Posted by Gray Weasel
Get both in the Summer the heat with a glass top will kill you but it sure is nice in the winter and it gives the car a different look with each.....That is one option that I would not be with out ROCK ON
I don't agree the heat in the summer will kill you. I live in Albuquerque--5300' above sea level so sun is vicious. Yesterday my C6 sat outside all day at work in 95 degree weather with clear top in. car was not unbearably hot when I got in, and was nice and cool in a matter of minutes with A/C on and windows down to blow out hot air. My silver top is in the shed and will probably stay there unused.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 10:55 PM
  #45  
LS WON's Avatar
LS WON
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Default I have a coupe with the painted top. I ordered both tops but it was on constraint

Since ownership personally I prefer a fixed roof as I find that I don't remove the top much at all and it heavy better handled by 2 people...This is a problem to me but I must say with the painted top you have more privacy. In any event I would have got both tops at the time if that option was not on constraint. I would think though that the clear see through top will eliminate some blind areas you can't see with the solid painted top brighten the interior up plus you can spot CHP helocopters and airplanes

Last edited by LS WON; Jun 29, 2005 at 11:57 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 11:10 PM
  #46  
Zachman's Avatar
Zachman
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Default

My Victory Red C6 I think looks better with the painted top and in Houston with 100 degrees and 100% humidity it's a whole lot cooler. But I will probably use the transparent top this fall and winter.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:38 AM
  #47  
coolcat's Avatar
coolcat
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
Default

I would NEVER own a C6 without the transparent top. The boring solid top gives the cockpit a "closed-in feeling". The clear top gives the interior an "open feeling".
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 09:12 AM
  #48  
Scissors's Avatar
Scissors
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Default

Originally Posted by Noggles
I disagree, fully. The Z06 exhaust was acceptable, but the C5 stock exhaust was downright pathetic.
Still louder than the C6 exhaust.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 09:34 AM
  #49  
TRAYC7's Avatar
TRAYC7
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,675
Likes: 10
From: Ormond Beach FL
NCM Ambassador
CI-3-4, 9 & 10 Car Show Winner
CI-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'14, '16
St Jude Fedex Bowl Donor '09
Default

I love mine....it adds a great constrast with Silver... I also know a guy here in town with a White C6 with a trans top and it looks great... so yours will be
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 09:46 AM
  #50  
Crazy Cowboy's Avatar
Crazy Cowboy
Premium Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,852
Likes: 123
From: www.EXOTICVETTE.com - FL Cruise-In VI, VII, & VIII
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

I love the clear top on my black car, like someone said earlier - you can't tell from the outside. Also, most people who have never been in the car (or a Vette) usually it's the first thing they notice "WOW! The top is clear!?!? Ooooo... it's cool looking!" is about what you usually hear. The roof ridge lines also look sweet.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 10:40 AM
  #51  
ProfMoriarty's Avatar
ProfMoriarty
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Default

Look great from the inside.

With the exception of black cars, nothing to write home about from the outside.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 11:19 AM
  #52  
corvettejimw's Avatar
corvettejimw
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
CI 4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I have a silver car and I ordered both tops when I bought it. I switch them out all the time...

Its the best way to go, you will never question it. Its like changing your shirt.....you can make it look different and if you want.......on a very hot day put the solid top in and enjoy a cool drive....or on a nice country road drive, put in the clear and enjoy the trees and blue sky over head and still stay cool.

Last edited by corvettejimw; Jun 30, 2005 at 11:29 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 02:39 PM
  #53  
degaux's Avatar
degaux
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 0
From: Paradise Island
Default

Originally Posted by coolcat
I would NEVER own a C6 without the transparent top. The boring solid top gives the cockpit a "closed-in feeling". The clear top gives the interior an "open feeling".
DITTO!!! the only way to fly
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:29 PM
  #54  
TommyV's Avatar
TommyV
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Default

Anyone tried tinting the top to reduce the heat? A friend tinted his moon roof on his RX8 and said it helped a lot.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:45 PM
  #55  
2vette2's Avatar
2vette2
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: National Guard
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 416
From: hardyston new jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'25
Default

Originally Posted by Dave@Kerbeck.com
IMHO, it opens up the interior. Maybe I'm not much for confined spaces, but that's how I feel with the painted top. I think the glass top makes the interior feel larger.

Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 07:52 PM
  #56  
JH's Avatar
JH
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Default

Both tops very useful. Winter top (translucent) and summer top (opaque).
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 08:29 PM
  #57  
Mike2013's Avatar
Mike2013
Team Owner
20 Year Member
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,239
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
Default

I only have the transparent top on my C5. Took it off today and went for a drive. In Nashville today the high was 96. I was only gone an hour and came back looking like a crispy critter. I love my tranparent top.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 08:29 PM
  #58  
V Vette's Avatar
V Vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,916
Likes: 1,428
From: Any City USA
Default

..makes you go balder, faster...
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:34 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE