0Flying Roofs

Let's hear your story:

How many are part of this club? And how many think losing their roof will never happen to them?

I'm a part of the club, and I want to put an end to it! It's embarrassing, costly and dangerous!

Bruze

Not me, although I did discover one time that I had forgotten to hook the rear latch.

Both fronts were hooked securely and I didn't back up at 60+, so no flying roofs.

I only went a short distance (a few miles, and no high speed) before noticing the open rear latch it and it did freak me out a bit.

LowRyter

right side Ttop on 94 Z/28. I forgot that I hadn't latched the roof when I parked the car going to work. Took off and thought the window was leaking air, my son in the passenger's seat turned the crank the wrong way and off it went. It took two tries to find it. did a little damage to the trim that I picked up from Chevy.

Glad I didn't decapitate the guy on the motorcycle following us.

Al Gumby

It will never happen to me. I don't lose my car keys, I don't leave my lug nuts loose, I never forget to replace my oil drain plug, I always open the garage door before backing out, etc. etc.

Skyfox16

Sadly this has happened to me, but not while driving my own corvette.

I was looking at switching from my C5 to a C6 so i went down to the local dealer this past summer. Long story short, he gave me the keys, i pulled out, turned the corner and got up to maybe 35MPH, I heard some wind noise starting then before i could even think, the top just flew up into the air as i said a few choice words and watched it fall to the pavement in the rearview mirror. It ended up only cracking the rear edges.

Needless to say, this made for a quick return to the dealer. I was shocked when the guy told me it wasn't the first time it had happened!?!?! Then he said no worries they would order a replacement while i finish the test drive. I was kind of shocked because i wasn't sure what to expect when i returned to tell them the roof just flew off of their corvette. Unfortunately i didn't end up buying that one because they wouldn't budge on price at all but luckily i found my current C6 about a week later

ufso

Wow, there must be tons of threads on this, but it's always good to bring up something that has always plagued us poor early C-6 owners. Me, just did the numerous recalls (took 5 years to build up the nerve to finally let GM paint and give me a new roof) and finally got a new roof with a better paint job than came with the car and matched my silver paint PERFECTLY!!!.

grady

Not on my 2012 but twice on my 2002. Duh...

449er

Nope, not yet anyway

owc6

I always wondered why they didn't put sensors in the coupe, like the Vert has, to tell you if it's not secure. They haven't put any in the C7 either. Seems to me like GM would be vulnerable legally, if anyone was hurt or killed by a flying roof. Not having sensors should be considered a safety issue.

ufso

Have not heard of "ANYONE" or anything being injured by A FLYING ROOF...other than your pride/roof...since '04 when we first got our cars!

amlarson2001

long ago with my 97. I am a member

airmed2

So what's causing this? Distraction? I immediately sit in my car upon seating the roof. Once sitting, it's obvious the task at hand; I've always leave the sun visors in the down position, and I'm only sitting in there for one reason after having just placed the roof in its position. Not saying it can't happen (cause it does for many), but I tend to stay focused.

bmfvette

C'mon you know you're out there... Since reading the OP's for sale thread in the C6 parts section, I've read numerous threads on vette owners joining the "flying roof club" ..

I was curious on what this club was all about scanning the section. Then realized it's almost of epidemic status..

jay c smith

It happened to me. I have a 2008 convertible with a manual top. After the car show, put the top up, but did not latch it. Down the road, the top flew back, but still attached, and chipped the rear top cover and bent 3 top brackets. After $800.00, I learned my lesson, the hard way. There are no sensors on a manual top.

COMMANDER2OOO

Yes I'm a member, heres a pic a random guy took and sent to a buddy of mine who sent it to me, when my roof went flying at 35 mph.

nzkiwivet

I am a member,but only in my `74 C3.Pretty freaky to look in your revision mirror and see your TTop spinning around paint side down on the tarseal?Was on the way to our club xmas party and a bit embarrassing to have your car sitting there for all to with big gouges and scratches in the paint!

torquetube

I think it's a discipline one needs to develop, like gun safety: the roof never sits on the car unlatched.

The fact that most people install the roof from outside the car probably contributes to the problem. I lift it over my head and get in the car, so my hands are already right there at the latches.

Judgebull

This Forum saved me from driving with the top unlatched. Everytine I take the Top out and reinstall it, I always remember the horror stories I have read here on the Forum about the Forgot to Latch the Top Syndrome. My Thanks to the guys who paid the price and let the rest of us know.

rsparks64

Almost a member on my 64, but that was a whole top. I had just gotten on the interstate and punched the accelerator hard and it started lifting. The window was down so I grabbed it while slowing down. I had a vision of seeing it in my rear view mirror or hitting another car. I got off and redid the latches and bolts, which I had forgotten to do when putting the top on before leaving.

Carsonvette

2 different times with my 87 Camaro. Passenger T top both times during "spirited" cornering to the right. 2nd time launched into the middle of the 405. Car had a visible crack in the roof by the T top.