Transparent Top or Solid Color Top?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 781
Transparent Top or Solid Color Top?
On the coupes that you FINE Gentlemen own and drive.. just curious to those that have both tops -- which do you prefer and why.??
I cant imagine what smart *** answers well get here on this one.. but those are welcome too-- but please make your non relevant comments at least intelligent.
I like apple pie
I cant imagine what smart *** answers well get here on this one.. but those are welcome too-- but please make your non relevant comments at least intelligent.
I like apple pie
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 41
From: MEMPHIS TN
The bad thing is the clear tops will start showing cracks over a period of time. Mine has been garage kept but now shows hundreds of small cracks. Painted top is on now and I won't be putting clear top back on.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 781
any idea what caused the cracks?
I bought a transparent top for my Grandsport that was off a 2008 - so it is about 9 yr old and no cracks or flaws.
Last edited by C6 Snowboarder; Jan 23, 2017 at 08:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 495
From: Clearwater, Florida
Anyways, I cannot decide which I like better. I currently have the transparent top on since the weather is cooler. I like to take the top off more in the "winter" time in Florida. Its also a little bit lighter which helps. In the summer, I put the red top back on. This helps prevent the interior from getting too hot from the transparent top.
It's great to have both tops. I think I like the body colored top ever so slightly more. They both look great though.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
On the coupes that you FINE Gentlemen own and drive.. just curious to those that have both tops -- which do you prefer and why.??
I cant imagine what smart *** answers well get here on this one.. but those are welcome too-- but please make your non relevant comments at least intelligent.
I like apple pie
I cant imagine what smart *** answers well get here on this one.. but those are welcome too-- but please make your non relevant comments at least intelligent.
I like apple pie
I love the clear top -- especially on those moonlit nights.
I think I would feel a bit claustrophobic with a solid top.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 495
From: Clearwater, Florida
Uh oh....I just admitted that I drive it in the rain.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 41
From: MEMPHIS TN
I've had 3 Vettes with clear tops, and all the clear tops starting crazing. For my C4 I bought a top from Astrotops that has new clear with used hardware. This is an exchange. Since I only had one top this was the best answer. For my
C5 and C6 had both tops so ended up using painted top's for both. I like the look of the painted tops better plus they have insulation from the heat and cold.
C5 and C6 had both tops so ended up using painted top's for both. I like the look of the painted tops better plus they have insulation from the heat and cold.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 22,720
Likes: 799
From: Hillsborough NC
NC Events Coordinator
When I was at Kerbecks in November picking up my GS, I noticed how few C7s had clear tops. I was told demand for them was very low and that it had been steadily falling since the C5 days.
I bought my C5 used with a clear top and it had crazing on it. I eventually found a pristine replacement and in about 3 years it started looking like crap. Never again.
I bought my C5 used with a clear top and it had crazing on it. I eventually found a pristine replacement and in about 3 years it started looking like crap. Never again.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
Crazing on the clear top happens if you use the wrong cleaners or waxes on them. I have no idea which cleaners are bad so I just use water on the clear top. Almost ten years old and still looks new.
I do know that Windex or any ammonia based glass cleaners will make it craze quickly.
I do know that Windex or any ammonia based glass cleaners will make it craze quickly.
Last edited by HBsurfer; Jan 23, 2017 at 09:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 233
From: "Nowhere Man"
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I ordered my 2007 with the painted roof only. I picked up the transparent one later on. Generally the transparent top would go on in the winter and the painted one in the summer time.
I bought a GS in 2012 and the painted roof has been on since day one. I don't drive the GS in the winter where as the 2007 was a base car with safer winter tires.
I bought a GS in 2012 and the painted roof has been on since day one. I don't drive the GS in the winter where as the 2007 was a base car with safer winter tires.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock
I bought the glass top in December and already had the carbon fiber top. I like the Glass top a lot. It gives an open feeling to the ride. I'll probably switch them back in the summer because...Texas. I thought I was being cool with my top off in August until I realized I was sweating like the last pig in line at the slaughter house. The glass top provides a nice break up of the color, surface look and compliments the overall look of the car imo. I like the CF top too though. Dammit...now I'm torn again.