Two top option
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Two top option
Undecided; Order just the polycarbonate top or go with the two top option and store the unused one. 
Those that have ordered the latter would you do it again ? My end of Dec. order point is fast approaching.
Those that have ordered the latter would you do it again ? My end of Dec. order point is fast approaching.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I was told by a big vette dealership they were being made take the glass clear top when they ordered. My C5 has both and I rarely run the clear top. It is hot in the summer and I just don't use it. In fact I never remove the top at all, i run the hard top 90% of the time and if I get a new vette it will be with the hard top. Just my opinion
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
My C6 (that I drove almost 6 yrs) had the 2 top option. At delivery I removed the painted top and installed the transparent which remained on the car until I sold it 6 yrs later to purchase the C7.
The painted top remained wrapped under the bed until I had to store something else there and then moved to the garage where it was always in the way. I love the open feeling of the transparent top and would never have anything else. I consider the painted top a waste of $ also because I prefer the look of the transparent (outside as well as in).
The transparent top on the C7 seems better engineered to withstand heat transmission during the hot summer months. The aftermarket headliners also make heat transmission a non-issue. Just my .02.
The painted top remained wrapped under the bed until I had to store something else there and then moved to the garage where it was always in the way. I love the open feeling of the transparent top and would never have anything else. I consider the painted top a waste of $ also because I prefer the look of the transparent (outside as well as in).
The transparent top on the C7 seems better engineered to withstand heat transmission during the hot summer months. The aftermarket headliners also make heat transmission a non-issue. Just my .02.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
Same here, in fact, quite a few people use the transparent top for the cooler months and solid to for the weather months. Had both on my C5, had to get both for my C7. Also, C7 replaced the C5 as my DD... Lots of miles between the two.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
I like having both tops with the car even though I almost never use the solid top.
IMO, it's nice to have both tops in case, for what ever reason, something happens to the one on the car.
IMO, it's nice to have both tops in case, for what ever reason, something happens to the one on the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Likes: 81
From: Danville California
I have both clear and exposed CF tops and use both
Oh, and going topless is the best of all.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 6
I live in Middle Tennessee and use both tops- the exposed Carbon Fiber in late spring/summer/early fall and have recently converted to the clear roof for the cools months ahead. Glad we finally got the TSB to fix the creaking!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 377
Likes: 61
From: Portland Oregon
I considered buying both but ultimately deiced that the clear top is pointless imho because if I want to see the sky I can just take the top off and boom! If it's winter it's almost always overcast so I'd have the exposed CF top on regardless.
Last edited by efarley; Nov 9, 2015 at 11:12 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,520
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I had both with my Mag red C5 and used both. I liked the looks of the transparent/black top better with the red, but it was too hot in the AZ summer.
This time I went transparent only with my C7 LBR, just built today! And will buy one of the after market screens when it warms up this next spring.
This time I went transparent only with my C7 LBR, just built today! And will buy one of the after market screens when it warms up this next spring.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 748
Likes: 222
I got "stuck" with the two top option. I thought it was a waste of money at first, BUT now I am quite happy. My car is white. I will use the transparent top in the cooler months (the car feels quite "different" with the clear top than with an opaque top). In the summer months I will switch to the opaque top as I am sure that it will be much cooler. Yes I have heard that there is a removable headliner kit but I doubt that it will have the same cooling effect as my white opaque panel, AND, the car looks quite different when it has the white top v the transparent top. If the car (and thus the opaque top) were black, this all might be less relevant.
And, of course, the top is off and stowed whenever the weather permits.
I did buy the GM storage bag for the extra panel. I wish there was a protective bag or cover available for use while the top is stowed in the car. A thick blanket will have to do.....
And, of course, the top is off and stowed whenever the weather permits.
I did buy the GM storage bag for the extra panel. I wish there was a protective bag or cover available for use while the top is stowed in the car. A thick blanket will have to do.....
Last edited by 6104696; Nov 9, 2015 at 01:42 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I had the two top option on my C6. I used both, solid in summer, transparent in winter. I said "poo" to the coupe and went with a C7 convertible. No fussing with a removable top, convertible top is up or down in seconds.
Last edited by Larry/car; Nov 9, 2015 at 01:50 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe TX
Mine came with transparent top and I sourced a painted carbon fiber one from a forum member.
I like the ability to change the look, and the transparent top is a no go in summer Texas heat.
Someday GM will make the Corvette with a retractable hard top convertible. Then I will go vert. Can't stand the look of the cloth top.
Note:
My c5 also had both tops but the solid color one HEAVY compared to the polycarbonate one. On the C7 in is the opposite, the painted one is much lighter.
I like the ability to change the look, and the transparent top is a no go in summer Texas heat.
Someday GM will make the Corvette with a retractable hard top convertible. Then I will go vert. Can't stand the look of the cloth top.
Note:
My c5 also had both tops but the solid color one HEAVY compared to the polycarbonate one. On the C7 in is the opposite, the painted one is much lighter.
Last edited by jedblanks; Nov 9, 2015 at 01:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
That was kind of my original thought even though I've not been a member of the flying roof club.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
That is part of the quandary. I've had 7 Corvettes, pretty much split between coupe and convertible. The current one is a drop top. Just not enough room in the trunk for clothes and laundry with the Mrs. along.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Mine came with transparent top and I sourced a painted carbon fiber one from a forum member.
I like the ability to change the look, and the transparent top is a no go in summer Texas heat.
Someday GM will make the Corvette with a retractable hard top convertible. Then I will go vert. Can't stand the look of the cloth top.
Note:
My c5 also had both tops but the solid color one HEAVY compared to the polycarbonate one. On the C7 in is the opposite, the painted one is much lighter.
I like the ability to change the look, and the transparent top is a no go in summer Texas heat.
Someday GM will make the Corvette with a retractable hard top convertible. Then I will go vert. Can't stand the look of the cloth top.
Note:
My c5 also had both tops but the solid color one HEAVY compared to the polycarbonate one. On the C7 in is the opposite, the painted one is much lighter.
Dang dude, you're just about in the big pond down there ........... And yeah, I can see where it could become an issue for y'all.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 445
Likes: 5
From: Oshkosh WI
I wish I had both tops. If any of you want to sell your transparent top PM me. I had both for my C6 and did not change them often with the transparent on 90% of the time. I don't like driving with the top off so the clear top gives me a nice alternative.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 683
From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
I ordered a C5 with both tops and really enjoyed the poly top until mid April, then it got to hot and I put the painted top on for the next 60,000 miles. Would not and did not order the dual roof on my '15.
There are many who love the poly top but in Texas, Arizona and Florida or any of the other warm states it gets really hot. Of course there are liners that you can put in which, I hear, help to abate the heat.
That is , of course, my opinion.
There are many who love the poly top but in Texas, Arizona and Florida or any of the other warm states it gets really hot. Of course there are liners that you can put in which, I hear, help to abate the heat.
That is , of course, my opinion.
Last edited by rcooper; Nov 9, 2015 at 06:44 PM.
