Transparent top
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
Transparent top
Question for those who have or have had a transparent top for a C7, some say that it lets a lot more heat in the car but just to help some of us that may be on the fence about getting one, is it any different than the heat/light that is let in from a car that has a sun/moon roof?
Obviously it has a much bigger transparent area to let in heat/light than a sun/moon roof area but as far as the material goes, does it perform differently than a sun/moon roof?
Obviously it has a much bigger transparent area to let in heat/light than a sun/moon roof area but as far as the material goes, does it perform differently than a sun/moon roof?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have both tops and use the transparent top quite a bit. I had two transparent top cars before this. My 86 and my 97. I haven't felt anything uncomfortable when driving any of those cars when the sun is out. Even in North Carolina on 90 degree sunny days. The AC system works fine. The only issue I have discovered with a transparent top is sunlight gets behind your sunglasses when the sun is at certain angles and it is advisable to wear a hat so you can see better.
Other than that ****ling issue it is great to be able to see out of the car through the roof. Even though the top is transparent it does reflect a lot of light. I have a black car and it is hard to tell when I have the transparent top on the car as it looks black. People standing by the car will swear it is a solid top until I stick my hand in the car and place it near the top so they can see my hand through the top.
Bill
Other than that ****ling issue it is great to be able to see out of the car through the roof. Even though the top is transparent it does reflect a lot of light. I have a black car and it is hard to tell when I have the transparent top on the car as it looks black. People standing by the car will swear it is a solid top until I stick my hand in the car and place it near the top so they can see my hand through the top.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 409
From: Lake Placid, FL
Mine has the transparent top and I live in Florida. Trust me, it will fry you on a hot summer day. I purchased a suction cup headliner for mine and it made all the difference. On a nicer day that's not too hot I will take the headliner off.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
I have both tops and use the transparent top quite a bit. I had two transparent top cars before this. My 86 and my 97. I haven't felt anything uncomfortable when driving any of those cars when the sun is out. Even in North Carolina on 90 degree sunny days. The AC system works fine. The only issue I have discovered with a transparent top is sunlight gets behind your sunglasses when the sun is at certain angles and it is advisable to wear a hat so you can see better.
Other than that ****ling issue it is great to be able to see out of the car through the roof. Even though the top is transparent it does reflect a lot of light. I have a black car and it is hard to tell when I have the transparent top on the car as it looks black. People standing by the car will swear it is a solid top until I stick my hand in the car and place it near the top so they can see my hand through the top.
Bill
Other than that ****ling issue it is great to be able to see out of the car through the roof. Even though the top is transparent it does reflect a lot of light. I have a black car and it is hard to tell when I have the transparent top on the car as it looks black. People standing by the car will swear it is a solid top until I stick my hand in the car and place it near the top so they can see my hand through the top.
Bill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
Yeah, I could see how that might happen in a place like Florida, unfortunately it seems here in MI that we can go 6 months without any bright sunshine, lol. I am looking forward to flying down there next week for vacation though!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Most sun / moon roofs I've had in other cars (including my wife's current Infiniti) come with a built in liner / cover that you can easily slide to block the light. To me this is main difference since on the C7 unless you have the suction cup cover all that light is always coming in.
I am in FL too and find the transparent top makes things HOT... so I don't like it. Now my car is a daily driver and thus sits outside all the time. I've learned to park under a tree to shade it as much as possible. I have tinted windows and a sun shade to protect from UV damage and keep the heat down as much as possible. If the car stayed in the garage or covered parking it would be a non-issue.
I am in FL too and find the transparent top makes things HOT... so I don't like it. Now my car is a daily driver and thus sits outside all the time. I've learned to park under a tree to shade it as much as possible. I have tinted windows and a sun shade to protect from UV damage and keep the heat down as much as possible. If the car stayed in the garage or covered parking it would be a non-issue.
Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 525
Likes: 555
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
Pro
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 652
Likes: 156
From: Clarksville, TN
I totally would but prior to me buying the car the top had come in contact with the ground and left some decent blemishes in it. Doesn't bother me but I don't think someone would want to trade their solid top for a blemed trans top.
Last edited by us3rname; Apr 23, 2019 at 08:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
I agree, also too hot in S. LA summers. I have the tranny and painted tops and use the painted from April-October and the tranny in winter. I wouldn't want a tranny as my only top in this climate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
I leave the headliner out in the cooler season and then put it on in the height of summer
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 6,722
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I don't see a meaningful way to answer your comparison question. Does the clear roof let in more heat... sure. That's why the car has a/c. I wouldn't be without clear roofs on my Vettes. If heat is a problem for you, get one of the stick-on liners... have it both ways. 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 555
Likes: 265
From: Idaho
For me and the wife we like to have the open feel when cruising, although it does transfer the radiant heat from the sun. We use it in the Winter and Spring. It does not make the cabin to hot when the AC is set to auto 68-70 or the windows are open on hotter days. I will switch it back to the solid roof in a few weeks when there are less clouds and the temps rise here in Southern Idaho. I would recommend having both roofs for your cruising enjoyment. 
Last edited by Jaylars; Apr 24, 2019 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
For me and the wife we like to have the open feel when cruising, although it does transfer the radiant heat from the sun. We use it in the Winter and Spring. It does not make the cabin to hot when the AC is set to auto 68-70 or the windows are open on hotter days. I will switch it back to the solid roof in a few weeks when there are less clouds and the temps rise here in Southern Idaho. I would recommend having both roofs for your cruising enjoyment.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 263
Likes: 124
From: Tewksbury MA
I have the dual roof package. It gets a lot hotter in the car in the dog days of summer with the transparent roof. Even here in MA. I swap to the solid top end of May/early June and then back to the transparent top in September. It's also substantially heavier than the painted roof which makes it a bit more of a pain to take on/off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 409
From: Lake Placid, FL
I have the dual roof package. It gets a lot hotter in the car in the dog days of summer with the transparent roof. Even here in MA. I swap to the solid top end of May/early June and then back to the transparent top in September. It's also substantially heavier than the painted roof which makes it a bit more of a pain to take on/off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596195682
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 420
From: Eastern NC
I have the dual roof package with mine. Both visable c/f and the transparent. It will indeed get hotter in the car than with the solid top. That being said, in the Summer the transparent top is stored in the bag inside the house. Not on the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL