Targa Top
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Targa Top
I thought maybe a coupe since they come with the targa top. I just looked at two cars (2015 and 219) but I found out pretty quick that at age 73 (and not very tall) that I was unable to remove the top. Does anybody have any tips?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 92
From: Wynnewood Pennsylvania
Practice with a friend until you're comfortable maneuvering the top off and into the trunk, as well as the re-installation process. Pay close attention to positive latching (no Flying Roof Club) when re-installing. The top is really light at 18lbs, but an awkward lift when doing it yourself for the first time. The nice thing is that, having popped the three latches, it shouldn't immediately fall into the interior. If working from the driver's side, lift the front and slip your fingers under the lip. Angle the back edge away from the near (driver's) side rear pin, i.e. move the top forward and slip fingers under the rear edge. Continue to lift the front end and swing the far side forward from its rear pin. Lift off and store. It takes a little practice to get the top properly latched in the trunk, too. For what it's worth, I had a Chevrolet factory rep show me at the Philadelphia auto show before I got the car, then practiced with my wife after delivery.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Practice with a friend until you're comfortable maneuvering the top off and into the trunk, as well as the re-installation process. Pay close attention to positive latching (no Flying Roof Club) when re-installing. The top is really light at 18lbs, but an awkward lift when doing it yourself for the first time. The nice thing is that, having popped the three latches, it shouldn't immediately fall into the interior. If working from the driver's side, lift the front and slip your fingers under the lip. Angle the back edge away from the near (driver's) side rear pin, i.e. move the top forward and slip fingers under the rear edge. Continue to lift the front end and swing the far side forward from its rear pin. Lift off and store. It takes a little practice to get the top properly latched in the trunk, too. For what it's worth, I had a Chevrolet factory rep show me at the Philadelphia auto show before I got the car, then practiced with my wife after delivery.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 92
From: Wynnewood Pennsylvania
A buddy to help is the way to do it, if you're not comfortable. While the top is only 18lbs, you're holding it at arm's length to lift it off, then you've got to reposition your hands from the front/read edges (the short way) to driver/passenger edges (the long way) to pop it onto the trunk latches. When I'm by myself, I'm really careful to move away from the car for all of the maneuvering. I can do it, but it's easier with a friend.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,946
Likes: 6,747
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Even if you manage to "learn" how to handle it yourself... alone, it is still cumbersome and unwieldy as hell (despite weighing little) and easy to muck up in one way or another getting it from the roof area securely inside the back. That is especially true if you must have the hatch open in advance or removal to put the top into once you get it there. I'm 6' tall though older than you, but in great shape. I did it once by myself and decided it wasn't worth the hassle to wrestle with it alone, risking damage to it or the car. But, your experience may differ. All the best, in any event. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,703
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I'm 76 with some back issues but can still put the top off and on by myself. The biggest problem, as others have noted, is that you're holding it at arm's length by yourself. My solution:
Unlatch front and rear latches.
Exit the car, open the trunk and get cargo net etc out of the way.
Put on gloves.
Stand beside car at driver door.
Put one foot on the driver seat, that gets me more under the top instead of beside it. Throw a rag on the seat if feet are really dirty, but normal dust brushes off easily.
Tilt/lift top, bringing it toward me with outside of top against my chest.
Walk around to trunk, shift grip on top, and clip into the receivers in the trunk.
Takes much more time and effort to write this than to actually do it.
My wife sometimes helps me but that's awkward too because we both have to hold our edge of the top at arm's length and balance the trunk lid at the half-open point to get the top over it.
To avoid fingerprints or dropping, get rough leather groves or something with the rubber gripper nubs.
Don't try this on a windy day, too easy to lose control of the top.
Unlatch front and rear latches.
Exit the car, open the trunk and get cargo net etc out of the way.
Put on gloves.
Stand beside car at driver door.
Put one foot on the driver seat, that gets me more under the top instead of beside it. Throw a rag on the seat if feet are really dirty, but normal dust brushes off easily.
Tilt/lift top, bringing it toward me with outside of top against my chest.
Walk around to trunk, shift grip on top, and clip into the receivers in the trunk.
Takes much more time and effort to write this than to actually do it.
My wife sometimes helps me but that's awkward too because we both have to hold our edge of the top at arm's length and balance the trunk lid at the half-open point to get the top over it.
To avoid fingerprints or dropping, get rough leather groves or something with the rubber gripper nubs.
Don't try this on a windy day, too easy to lose control of the top.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 569
From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
I'm 65 and find that the lighter carbon fibre targa top on the C7 is way easier to manipulate by myself than the heavier one on my previous C5. That one I dropped once into the interior and put a bit of a slice into the console cover.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Even if you manage to "learn" how to handle it yourself... alone, it is still cumbersome and unwieldy as hell (despite weighing little) and easy to muck up in one way or another getting it from the roof area securely inside the back. That is especially true if you must have the hatch open in advance or removal to put the top into once you get it there. I'm 6' tall though older than you, but in great shape. I did it once by myself and decided it wasn't worth the hassle to wrestle with it alone, risking damage to it or the car. But, your experience may differ. All the best, in any event.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
I'm 76 with some back issues but can still put the top off and on by myself. The biggest problem, as others have noted, is that you're holding it at arm's length by yourself. My solution:
Unlatch front and rear latches.
Exit the car, open the trunk and get cargo net etc out of the way.
Put on gloves.
Stand beside car at driver door.
Put one foot on the driver seat, that gets me more under the top instead of beside it. Throw a rag on the seat if feet are really dirty, but normal dust brushes off easily.
Tilt/lift top, bringing it toward me with outside of top against my chest.
Walk around to trunk, shift grip on top, and clip into the receivers in the trunk.
Takes much more time and effort to write this than to actually do it.
My wife sometimes helps me but that's awkward too because we both have to hold our edge of the top at arm's length and balance the trunk lid at the half-open point to get the top over it.
To avoid fingerprints or dropping, get rough leather groves or something with the rubber gripper nubs.
Don't try this on a windy day, too easy to lose control of the top.
Unlatch front and rear latches.
Exit the car, open the trunk and get cargo net etc out of the way.
Put on gloves.
Stand beside car at driver door.
Put one foot on the driver seat, that gets me more under the top instead of beside it. Throw a rag on the seat if feet are really dirty, but normal dust brushes off easily.
Tilt/lift top, bringing it toward me with outside of top against my chest.
Walk around to trunk, shift grip on top, and clip into the receivers in the trunk.
Takes much more time and effort to write this than to actually do it.
My wife sometimes helps me but that's awkward too because we both have to hold our edge of the top at arm's length and balance the trunk lid at the half-open point to get the top over it.
To avoid fingerprints or dropping, get rough leather groves or something with the rubber gripper nubs.
Don't try this on a windy day, too easy to lose control of the top.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
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I thin they weigh 7 lbs. Not just a lot. They're 100% carbon fiber.
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The top is not really very heavy - and with some practice I would bet you can get the top on/off the car with confidence. Be sure you have the windows down when messing with the top, that makes it much easier to maneuver the top around the car.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
I might go to a dealer and attempt the top again. I think it might more of a confidence thing.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Just echoing the other tips: you need to have one foot in the car so your not reaching too far. Get the hatch open, both windows down and driver's door fully open before starting the procedure. You need plenty of space to walk around vehicle so don't try doing it with a parked car in the space next to you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
I use this shower grab bar thing to help stabilize the roof and give me an extra hand hold: https://www.amazon.com/NLAAHCE-Showe...8PV9SXL3/?th=1 just double check that both ends are sealed down and locked properly. I put the grab bar on with roof latches still engaged and lift up to confirm. Then I use sticky gloves because in FL the top will be HOT and you'll get fingerprints all over it without them.
Just echoing the other tips: you need to have one foot in the car so your not reaching too far. Get the hatch open, both windows down and driver's door fully open before starting the procedure. You need plenty of space to walk around vehicle so don't try doing it with a parked car in the space next to you.
Just echoing the other tips: you need to have one foot in the car so your not reaching too far. Get the hatch open, both windows down and driver's door fully open before starting the procedure. You need plenty of space to walk around vehicle so don't try doing it with a parked car in the space next to you.
I have one in my shower stall to test the system. If that works and I do get a coupe I'll buy one to keep in the trunk.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 329
Another option would be to buy a large piece of foam ( like a twin size mattress topper) to put over the back part of roof and hatch. While sitting, lift roof up and then back so it rests on hatch on foam and avoids scratching anything. You could then pull roof off from standing position or slide the foam to you. Cumbersome but safer for all involved