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Old 01-10-2018, 04:10 PM
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Mr Atoz
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Default Transparent Top Question

First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?

Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!

Michael
Old 01-10-2018, 04:13 PM
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dr_gallup
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I'm pretty sure you could get them 3 ways, either top by itself or both tops.

Not a fan of the transparent top myself.
Old 01-10-2018, 04:21 PM
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Bruze
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FWIW: I love my transparent top! Yes, it gets hot inside when parked, but driving a few hundred yards with the windows down will expel most of it, then close the windows and crank the AC up.

A ride at night with the moon out is really nice.

As far as I know, if you ordered it new with the optional trans top, then that's what you got. If you wanted a second top you would have to buy it.
Old 01-10-2018, 04:30 PM
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Mr Atoz
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Has anyone bought the suction cup sun shade? Does it work?

Michael
Old 01-10-2018, 04:50 PM
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BozoBBozo
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Mr Atoz I am also new here (my first post) and I'm only a few days ahead of you, having purchased a 2009 coupe last week. It only had the transparent top; I prefer the look of the vehicle with the painted top, but I must admit the trans top is rather fun - in the Winter. The dealer, a well-known shop in Atlanta, recommended the sun shades that are available for under $100, and he says they work well (though I don't believe the one he recommended used suction cups).

In the end, the fact that the car only had the trans top available wasn't a deal-killer; I have no regrets. Yet.
Old 01-10-2018, 05:13 PM
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EVRose
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Mr. Atoz...I loved that guy!

Old 01-10-2018, 05:20 PM
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I have both tops but have never used the solid color one, I love the lexan top. Get a "static cling" sun shade and use it during the hottest summer months. They are available from several vendors for less than $50 and mine works great. I just remove it for fall, winter, spring and reinstall when hot weather returns. I got mine from West Coast Corvette, like $39 + shipping.
Old 01-10-2018, 05:37 PM
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jbc1995fb
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Originally Posted by Mr Atoz
First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?

Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!

Michael
Welcome to the forum Mike.

If the car you are looking at has everything else you want I'd say buy it. It's very easy to get a used painted top for $300 or so. Or even if you found a different color one and had to have it painted.

The transparent tops are much more expensive to buy or to find one used that's not scratched or has micro-fractures.

If later you don't like the clear top, you could even try to find someone to trade their painted top.

what city or part of the country do you live?
Old 01-10-2018, 06:42 PM
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Mr Atoz
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Originally Posted by EVRose
Mr. Atoz...I loved that guy!

That's him! Perfect name for a librarian... A to Z lol
Old 01-10-2018, 07:30 PM
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cgladish
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Default Transparent top

[QUOTE=Mr Atoz;1596351189]First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?

Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!

Michael[/QUOTE
when I bought my '09 3LT (01/2017), it came with both tops.
I much prefer the contrast of the clear top. I will use the solid top only when the temps get into the 100's. at that temp, the AC can't keep up.
otherwise, it's the only I use.


Old 01-10-2018, 08:38 PM
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J.Moore
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Some C6 owners don't seem to care which top their car has. My Arctic White Coupe came with both tops and I love having the choice of 3 different looks it gives the car. Changes the look of the car 3 ways and all ways look great. No top, clear top, white top. I swap the tops all the time.

You can buy a painted top anytime. If you do, get a storage bag for it.
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Old 01-10-2018, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr Atoz
Has anyone bought the suction cup sun shade? Does it work?

Michael
The suction cup headliner works really well.
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Old 01-10-2018, 09:06 PM
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Elijah71
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Guys Guys Guys & Gals.

If you have the transparent top and like the open view I strongly suggest that you go to a tint shop and check out a CLEAR tint they have that literally appears to block almost all of the heat from the sun.
It is a 3M product line called Crystalline.
3M claims that all films in the Crystalline line reject 99.9 percent of UV radiation and 90 to 97 percent of infrared radiation.

I just picked up a transparent roof and will be taking it in to get the Crystaline tint on it.

I would have done it also on my car windows but on the C6 due to the large curved rear window nobody will do it because it is a thicker film.

Check the Heat Test
Old 01-10-2018, 09:50 PM
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Gotta-Qik-C7
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My car came with two tops! I installed the Lexan top and sold the painted top! It's no way I'd use the solid top and it was just taking up space!
Old 01-10-2018, 10:12 PM
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Mr Atoz
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Originally Posted by jbc1995fb
Welcome to the forum Mike.

If the car you are looking at has everything else you want I'd say buy it. It's very easy to get a used painted top for $300 or so. Or even if you found a different color one and had to have it painted.

The transparent tops are much more expensive to buy or to find one used that's not scratched or has micro-fractures.

If later you don't like the clear top, you could even try to find someone to trade their painted top.

what city or part of the country do you live?
I'm in central New Jersey, the car is 500 miles away so I can't really look it over in person. Pictures and car fax look good so far. Questions are being answered promptly...
Old 01-11-2018, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr Atoz
First post, long time lurker! Finally in the market for my first Corvette and I've come across a 2013 3LT that only has the transparent top. I was under the impression that the transparent top was an option and if the car had that it also had the solid. Am I wrong?

Thank you for all the knowledge that I've gathered so far!

Michael
A painted roof was standard; a transparent top(RPO code CC3) was a $750 option; both tops(RPO code C2L) was a $1400 option. You can check the RPO sticker in the glove box to see how your car was originally optioned.
Old 01-11-2018, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
The suction cup headliner works really well.
works very well....
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Old 01-11-2018, 10:11 AM
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BillytheKidder
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We got a transparent top about a year ago, the painted top has not come out of the basement since, the transparant top has the added benefit of being much lighter, so it’s easier to take off and put on.

Last edited by BillytheKidder; 01-11-2018 at 10:13 AM.
Old 01-11-2018, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by EVRose
Mr. Atoz...I loved that guy!

Man !!....And I thought I was a Trek expert !!!!.....
Old 01-11-2018, 11:59 AM
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EVRose
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Originally Posted by windyC6
Man !!....And I thought I was a Trek expert !!!!.....
Ian Wolfe. He played the part of Septimus in Bread and Circuses too!


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