Convertible "rollover protected?"
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,554
I'm less concerned with what PCA says because, well: PCA. Wrong org. ;-) With that out of the way, again we have to use some common sense here. With the top up, the car has all of the same roll-over protection in place as the coupe. So if PCA disallowed the C8 'vert, they'd have to also disallow the coupe. And they'd only do that because they don't want to see yet another Corvette embarassing their customer base. ;-)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,399
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 1,778
From: North Texas
I think the issue with prior verts is there is nothing at all behind the windshield. So it you draw a line from the top of the windshield frame to the top of the back bumper, the line goes right through the head(s) of whomever is in the car. Many groups won't allow a "ragtop" because of concerns (frankly, over blown IMHO) about something can come through the soft top (but they require you to drive with the windows down, so that kinda kills their argument IMHO).
Last edited by vndkshn; Oct 3, 2019 at 11:17 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,554
I probably could have just bought the car and showed up and driven it w/o issue. As an instructor we self tech and nobody would have realized it's a convertible, but I don't want to risk buying an $80,000 car I can't track if someone figures out it's a convertible.
Last edited by RapidC84B; Oct 3, 2019 at 11:21 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,554
I think the issue with prior verts is there is nothing at all behind the windshield. So it you draw a line from the top of the windshield frame to the top of the back bumper, the line goes right through the head(s) of whomever is in the car. Many groups won't allow a "ragtop" because of concerns (frankly, over blown IMHO) about something can come through the soft top (but they require you to drive with the windows down, so that kinda kills their argument IMHO).
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,554
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 163
Likes: 80
I think the issue with prior verts is there is nothing at all behind the windshield. So it you draw a line from the top of the windshield frame to the top of the back bumper, the line goes right through the head(s) of whomever is in the car. Many groups won't allow a "ragtop" because of concerns (frankly, over blown IMHO) about something can come through the soft top (but they require you to drive with the windows down, so that kinda kills their argument IMHO).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,399
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,399
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
This isn't new; it was engineered into the C5 that way and continued through till today. Please hop down off your usual "ignorance" horse and catch up to the conversation. You'll learn a thing or two. This specific convertible is far more protective of its occupants than any previous one. Top up or down.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,399
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
If what I've written on the forums isn't enough for NASA (and: that's perfectly OK that it isn't), then we'll have to do an "Ask Tadge" next month or some time after to get the specifics spelled out. Make sense?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,554
I do; I'm not getting in the middle of the NASA vs GM vs Corvette Forum discussion. I'm not a laywer, I'm not represented by a lawyer, and I'm not representing GM.
If what I've written on the forums isn't enough for NASA (and: that's perfectly OK that it isn't), then we'll have to do an "Ask Tadge" next month or some time after to get the specifics spelled out. Make sense?
If what I've written on the forums isn't enough for NASA (and: that's perfectly OK that it isn't), then we'll have to do an "Ask Tadge" next month or some time after to get the specifics spelled out. Make sense?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 338
Likes: 444
From: Palm Beach, FL
The windshield frame has been engineered for the roll-over requirements of a coupe, meaning able to support more than double the car's gross weight. The Nacelles will also provide some added support behind the seats, though they do not have any active (eg: pop-out, explosive, etc) protection.
/fin
/fin
