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FVS’s video clip is a good start visually understanding what to expect as how the HT folds for storage. He correctly stopped at the top of the cycle because there are multiple designs within GM and other midengine manufacturers that work great. Well, maybe not all great, easy to maintain, free of failures, or even reasonably priced. So, with that, what do you think? Videos provided for two obvious ME candidates and the Pontiac G6.
My Comments:
1) Chevrolet SSR design easily adapted to the ME with buttresses and would afford a good price point opportunity
2) Folding the top behind the seats give option for a window over the engine
3) Early ME Spy pics show an obvious truck type body, maybe a feasibility study using SSR Top and rear deck lid
4) Ferrari 458 HT folded over laying flat does not allow easy access to the engine with the top down
5) Both Ferrari and the SSR designs allow for a separate manually operated rear trunk hatch. Note FVS’s design uses this concept
We've had over a dozen new Corvettes dating back to 1968 and are anxiously awaiting our name appearing at the top of the dealers C8 waiting list. We always opt for a 'vert'. Back in 2003 we bought a new SSr on a 'lark' and ended up keeping it for 14 years!!! What a great ride....
Now for the 'top'. It operated flawlessly over all those years. The design concept (which I believe was done by a 3rs party supplier.... ACS comes to mind but I don't recall) was a masterpiece. Basically it consisted of 2 independent panels that 'floated' (they were not immediately hinged to one another) and went down into a vertical slot behind the seats. It did create some design issues since it stood rather high when folded down there, but in looking at all the various C8 spy shots and renderings, that doesn't seem like it would be an issue. Our Ferrari's folding top lays 'flat' restricting storage as well as covering up the mid-engine, which was such a great design feature on earlier models.
I, like many of you, am really looking forward to the folding hardtop 'vert'. While the manually removable hardtop is a very good solution, my wife and I find that we are a whole lot more likely to drop the top with a simple press of a button (even at a stoplight) rather than get out and load it in the hatch. Progress is such a great thing....
Wow, tooold2race, owning an SSR for 14 years and the top never gave you a problem speaks volumes that GM got this right and IMO has at least been seriously looked at to be a serious candidate to be used in the ME. Probably the simplist design, offers probably the lightest weight (a major Corvette Team goal), and should have the lowest cost to produce.
So, for you to keep its operation “flawless” over 14 years, what preventive maintenance schedule and time interval was required by GM, and did you do anything else in addition to help keep it fault free? And the Ferrari’s top preformance?
IMO I think this SSR Design is the way that the Corvette Team will go for the ME. There, I’m on record.
Let me add a couple additional comments in support of the buttress ME HT design and adapting the SSR HT to it.
6) Using a retracting verticle C3 type rear window should not be a problem.
7) Thus that rear window could automatically retract as part of the top down/up auto operation.
8) Or, there could also be an additional function to manually raise or lower that rear window placed where you desire as a windbreak top down or even as a air pass through option with the HT up.
9) Number 8 could be even common to the ME Coupe Targa Top on or off.
10) Storage space behind the seats very probable but may be limited with the HT retracted. The ME Coupe could also have this common storage space and would be less restricted.
Just me, but I don't much care for the "buttress-left-up" look. Plus, having owned more than a few cloth convertibles incl. a C6, I see no reason to go the "advanced route" of a folding metal/non-metal (solid) top. Weight for the solid top itself, plus the mechanism to support it, and extra storage required are the main issues to me.
I'd be willing to hear from a real convertible top engineer as to the overall space needed for both kinds of top when folded, but my guess is solid top takes more room.
The folding top on the SSr required 'zero' maintenance or service over our 14 year ownership..... and that was about 90,000 miles too. The friend who bought it from us has, likewise experienced no problems at all. We've only had the Ferrari for a couple of years now and it also has been problem free. That design seems quite heavy (especially the hatch lid) and when down, significantly limits storage. It can accommodate a couple shopping bags or soft sided travel bags. For shopping, my wife has been able to get by without storage issues. We don't golf but I'd speculate that golf clubs could be a problem.....
AO, I know what you mean. All valid points. I love Corvette Verts too. My next one will be one whether a soft top or HT. Even FE (if still offered) or ME based on price differential for each. But we’ve recognized no true ME Soft Top Vert Spy Pics with or without buttresses. Only what looks like a Coupe and what we think is a HT Vert with buttresses. Who knows, but I think GM could have even more surprises for us including your wish. But the probability seem low, so far.
My biggest fear, which would be a disaster thus ~ 0% chance of happening, is a Corvette ME Soft Top Vert with buttresses. Think Pontiac Solstice Vert. Although with small buttresses that didn’t look too bad. The wrinkles in the top up were truly bad and never addressed throughout production. All your concerns aside, I expect an ME HT Vert will look as good as that Ferrari, irregardless of how the HT stores in the back.
Yes, considering the Solstice and its sister were seemingly true convertibles (or could have been) their small buttresses and overall "messy" look of the top when up was a real negative to me. I also doubt I'll see a ME with a cloth top, too. But it might be a stand-out if GM is the first to have it, for sure!
What is good to know tho is that at least two designs, the SSR and a Ferrari, can have relatively complex and heavier (even slightly) solid folding roofs, but they don't require a lot of maintenance or re-jiggering---that's a strong point.
AS long as gm offers the manual lift off targa for free...thats what im buying. I always get my best attention from beautiful women when im putting on or taking off the roof..(go figure)
always worth a few laughs ...and while i applaud those that go for the power folding hardtop...
unless the lines of the convertible are somehow nicer from a styling standpoint...im pocketing the difference..
i like the exercise...i know its crazy ...
im sure the motorized folding roof will be awesome.
i expect both to store behind the driver and passenger...the front trunk doesnt look big enough to hold the targa roof.
Yes, considering the Solstice and its sister were seemingly true convertibles (or could have been) their small buttresses and overall "messy" look of the top when up was a real negative to me. I also doubt I'll see a ME with a cloth top, too. But it might be a stand-out if GM is the first to have it, for sure!
What is good to know tho is that at least two designs, the SSR and a Ferrari, can have relatively complex and heavier (even slightly) solid folding roofs, but they don't require a lot of maintenance or re-jiggering---that's a strong point.
I'm really looking forward to the HT convertible. I'm crossing my fingers it will pass HPDE tech with the top up. I could run a few HPDE weekends a year and have a convertible too. The targa is blustery vs. a vert as the rear hatch just catches air no matter what you do. Taking the top in/out isn't rocket science, but it's nice to be able to put the top down sitting at a light with the push of a button. It's just easier.
Just me, but I don't much care for the "buttress-left-up" look. Plus, having owned more than a few cloth convertibles incl. a C6, I see no reason to go the "advanced route" of a folding metal/non-metal (solid) top. Weight for the solid top itself, plus the mechanism to support it, and extra storage required are the main issues to me.
I'd be willing to hear from a real convertible top engineer as to the overall space needed for both kinds of top when folded, but my guess is solid top takes more room.
Mazdas retractable hardtop weighs 120 lbs more than the soft top and costs an extra $6600.
i expect the c8 retractable hardtop to run close to those numbers and close in design execution
i’ve no doubt the retractable HT weighs more, but a local Mazda Dealer New Inventory search revealed these two, one a soft top Vert the other an RF HT Vert. These two are just $2145 apart in MSRP. Negotiated price may spread a little more. Thus well within what we surmise the ME HT over a C7 Vert probably will increase. But then again what will the “Vette Tax” demand?
11-09-2018, 07:40 AM
Let’s discuss ME HT storing options
Think Pontiac Solstice Vert. Although with small buttresses that didn’t look too bad. The wrinkles in the top up were truly bad and never addressed throughout production. All your concerns aside, I expect an ME HT Vert will look as good as that Ferrari, irregardless of how the HT stores in the back.
