Targa Top
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,295
From: SouthEast PA
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Read the manual 5 times, practice as many times with your eyes closed moving your body (w/o the actual top). Then go for it, with total attention. Not bad at all, takes about 30 seconds. Tough part, is not to forget to latch it putting it on!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
The first time I removed it I had my wife help, after that its been much easier to do it myself. Twice I have pulled over on the side of the road to remove and install the roof as well as done it the garage a few times and its no big deal. The roof is light so handling is no problem. Putting it on is a little more time consuming than taking it off. It takes 30 sec to minute to get it and make sure its lined up before you pop it in and close the front clasps. The back clasp is alway easy.
Basically pop the truck and roll down the windows before you do anything else, follow the manual and DVD video and you will be all set.
Its not a big deal at all.
Basically pop the truck and roll down the windows before you do anything else, follow the manual and DVD video and you will be all set.
Its not a big deal at all.
Last edited by Jacksonbart; Apr 15, 2006 at 07:46 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Be careful on a windy day, my C5 top caught a gust while i was removing it and hit me in the face so hard it cracked the plastic. My face was already cracked so no harm there.
Also, suggest you make it a habit to always lower both windows as soon as you even think about removing the top (saves your weatherstripping). When reinstalling, NEVER swing the sunshades back into place until the top is latched. Several folks have had the top fly off because they got distracted and forgot to latch it.
Also, suggest you make it a habit to always lower both windows as soon as you even think about removing the top (saves your weatherstripping). When reinstalling, NEVER swing the sunshades back into place until the top is latched. Several folks have had the top fly off because they got distracted and forgot to latch it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
As the others have said, practice makes perfect. A few things that I learned along the way...
- Before you do anything else, pop and raise the hatch, lower the windows, lower the visors.
- After undoing the three latches, stand on one side of the car (I prefer the driver's side) and gently lift the front edge from underneath while using your other hand (also underneath) to keep gentle rearward tension; this will prevent the roof panel from dropping into the passenger compartment.
- Grab the roof from the front while supporting it from underneath with the other hand to remove and place in the storage area.
- When re-installing, set the rear edge down first while pushing back toward the rear of the car. Align laterally using the contoured areas to line up.
- Gently set the front end down.
- While applying slight downward pressure with one hand, use the other hand to gently close the front latches.
- Don't forget to close the rear latch!
Last edited by mpuzach; Apr 15, 2006 at 07:22 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 0
From: Upper St. Clair PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by mpuzach
As the others have said, practice makes perfect. A few things that learned along the way...
- Before you do anything else, pop and raise the hatch, lower the windows, lower the visors.
- After undoing the three latches, stand on one side of the car (I prefer the driver's side) and gently lift the front edge from underneath while using your other hand (also underneath) to keep gentle rearward tension; this will prevent the roof panel from dropping into the passenger compartment.
- Grab the roof from the front while supporting it from underneath with the other hand to remove and place in the storage area.
- When re-installing, set the rear edge down first while pushing back toward the rear of the car. Align laterally using the contoured areas to line up.
- Gently set the front end down.
- While applying slight downward pressure with one hand, use the other hand to gently close the front latches.
- Don't forget to close the rear latch!
This is excellent!
while using your other hand (also underneath) to keep gentle rearward tension; this will prevent the roof panel from dropping into the passenger compartment.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Dover NH
Originally Posted by socaljet
Very easy to do after some practice but don't get too confident putting it back on and drop it on your dates" head like I did.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/imag...smilielol5.gifdid you blame a gust of wind?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Originally Posted by JAB210
It is great that the tops is so light...
My biggest problem is storing the top so that NOTHING (including the luggage shade) will rub against and scratch it.
My biggest problem is storing the top so that NOTHING (including the luggage shade) will rub against and scratch it.
You can lift the trans top with one hand... it's so light. Took mine off today and it took about 30 secs. A very nice feature... 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Back when we bought our C5, someone here suggested using leather work gloves to remove/install the targa top. I've been doing that for 5 years now; keeps fingerprints off the glass, gives a much better grip, avoids scorching your hands in hot weather. Don't use cloth gloves, they are much more slippery.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: buffalo grove illinois
Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
Back when we bought our C5, someone here suggested using leather work gloves to remove/install the targa top. I've been doing that for 5 years now; keeps fingerprints off the glass, gives a much better grip, avoids scorching your hands in hot weather. Don't use cloth gloves, they are much more slippery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,309
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Fl
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
Although this was in our C5, I don't think there is much difference between that and our C6.
We were cruising up A1A north of Daytona coming back from Ecklers. We stopped at a stop light on the highway and saw a big squawl comming down the coast. As soon as the light turned green, we cleared the intersection and into a gas station. The top was back on in less than 30 seconds...before the rain hit.
We were cruising up A1A north of Daytona coming back from Ecklers. We stopped at a stop light on the highway and saw a big squawl comming down the coast. As soon as the light turned green, we cleared the intersection and into a gas station. The top was back on in less than 30 seconds...before the rain hit.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
franking50-
Do people give you funny looks when you stand at the rear end of your car and start snapping on your latex gloves? Bend over and...
On the C5 with top removed we could drive in rain at about 60 mph and very little would come into the cockpit. Found this out by getting surprised by a thunderstorm at the Black Hills Classic. When the rain got pretty heavy some started coming in along the side of the car. We kept driving to find an overhang to stop under for targa install but never saw one. Finally stopped during the downpour, i think we got more water into the car during my 30 second roof dash than in the previous 20 minutes of rain driving.
Any experience with topless rain driving in the C6?
Do people give you funny looks when you stand at the rear end of your car and start snapping on your latex gloves? Bend over and...
On the C5 with top removed we could drive in rain at about 60 mph and very little would come into the cockpit. Found this out by getting surprised by a thunderstorm at the Black Hills Classic. When the rain got pretty heavy some started coming in along the side of the car. We kept driving to find an overhang to stop under for targa install but never saw one. Finally stopped during the downpour, i think we got more water into the car during my 30 second roof dash than in the previous 20 minutes of rain driving.
Any experience with topless rain driving in the C6?
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Apr 16, 2006 at 07:46 PM.