K-TownMike

That green render is looking amazing Chaz. Keep it up.

John T

My favorite side scoop by Chaz.
Forget camo, design matters.

chazcron

It's astonishing how few splines this model started with.

chazcron

I have completed my top down video:


I found my inspiration from the BMW I8 for the operation of the hard top. Please keep in mind that this is pure speculation. This was the easiest way for me to animate the top.

rsvette12

Way to go Chaz

chazcron

Updated

rsvette12

Tons of fun pushing and pulling vertices - NOT dont miss that

CRABBYJ

Now that I would buy in a heart beat!
1) Just line the seat back rests up with the buttresses or vice versa and
2) have the side small windows retract when lowering or raise as part of the buttresses on the outside.

P.S. And now the clear panel over the engine could be a with or without option.

Next up you should video render the entire operation lifting the complete width/length rear hatch exposing the engine and trunk as just one piece or the trunk hatch has its own cover. I assume it will lift up from the back as we have already seen on a Camo ME.

Darion

Outstanding!

PC

Skid Row Joe

Doing away with the ragtop altogether may be the only workable way to do the convertible, all things considered.

CRABBYJ

I see no reason GM Engineers cannot design a workable rag top for the ME Corvette. But I do believe you are right in that the Rag Top Corvette will become history moving forward, at least for the C8. And here is why IMO.

At least here on CF there is a strong opinion that the C6 Corvette Verts, as those previous generations, were most beautiful with the top down. But top up not so much. The C6 Coupe thus became even more popular to those agreeing to some extent. True Vert Fans loved Verts anyway. Then the C7 Team, Tadge now in charge, tried to rectify that perception and tweak the C7 Vert’s top design to be more esthetic top up. I think they succeeded somewhat, but overall the same perception continues. With that I think there became a tilt toward what we believe may now happen, a HT only ME Vert. And maybe even the suggested mechanical operated Targa Top. That would be a WOW! and even cost justifiable with commonality of many parts.

An argument can be made that the ME Corvette Team decided to move this direction based upon the sentiments of many Corvette Enthusiasts here on CF and others would welcome having a HT Vert Corvette. GM Bean Counters saw cost savings with a somewhat common design across ME offerings and were now supportive, thus........

RapidC84B

The soft top is gone... there's a targa and a hard top vert... if the targa is power retracting too, then I really don't understand the point of having both.

chazcron

Good point.

Harry2

Thank you for creating this, if it looks and works as well as your vert representation I am all in!

Zaro Tundov

No kidding. Better to have a fixed roof coupe for superior chassis rigidity. Add a panoramic roof option on the coupe for those who want the light, and a carbon fiber option for those who want a lower cg.

RapidC84B

The reasoning, from what I've read, is the targa changes the impact crash standards and they get away with not having roof-mounted side curtain airbags, but the already have side impact airbags in the seats so I don't understand why that supposed requirement would push them to have a targa.

It would make the most sense to have a fixed roof coupe and the hard top vert, but for some reason they have not gone that route. It will be interesting to learn why.

CRABBYJ

IMO pictures we have seen of MEs with a hatch Camo cover including the NYC 07-18-19 ones are fake. Even the several pics with the exposed hatch cover and patent drawing. All MEs will be configured in the back similar to the C3. Thus HT Vert with buttresses and a Targa Top with similar buttresses, maybe more like the C3. Both maybe power operated. Retractable rear window too. Or just the HT Vert with the Targa manually removed. I can see all three being offered, or just two.

The fake hatch cover would not create enough volume below with the rear engine beneath to make sense. Thus a rear truck. I measured the ~ side dimensions of my ‘14 C7. That leaves just - 21” height for the engine.

pietro c7

CRABBY,there are pictures of the C8 protype at a gas station in Germany ,with close ups,where the hatch opening seems are clearly seen.


Maybe for the convertible .....,I’m sure they’re will be a few surprises at the reveal.

P.S...Love that 1968-1973 C3 look, Timeless.
Nice brainstorming work
Cheers

RapidC84B

I don't think it's up for debate that there are clearly two different roofs on the mules. One has the cooling vents around the sloped rear window and may have a split-window detail. The other has a vertical rear glass and the buttresses just like the C3 pictured above.

JockItch

I think this this “insider” guy might be confusing the retractable hardtop with an automatic targa.