Transparent roof?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 310
Likes: 201
Transparent roof?
I like the way it looks in the visualizer. I have concerns about how hot it will get inside the car? Does anyone know if there is a factory shade to black the sun?
Anyone have this roof option on the C7 that can tell me if they regret getting the transparent roof?
Anyone have this roof option on the C7 that can tell me if they regret getting the transparent roof?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 1,700
From: Northern California
St. Jude Donor '15
I had it on my c7 and used it a few times. It did a pretty good job of blocking the heat, I never felt the need to shade it. There are vendors that sell suction cup shades for the c7, the roofs look really similar if not the same.
I won’t bother getting one for the c8, the solid top is good for me.
I won’t bother getting one for the c8, the solid top is good for me.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 629
Likes: 170
I like the transparent top, would never get the solid top. Can feel the sun through the top but never bad enough to not want it. Of course I don't live in the AZ or Texas or Florida.
If the heat bothered me, I'd get white vinyl that would stick on to the top to block some of the sun but keep the cabin light and bright.
If the heat bothered me, I'd get white vinyl that would stick on to the top to block some of the sun but keep the cabin light and bright.
Last edited by fumbling; Jul 27, 2019 at 08:40 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,219
Likes: 2,501
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
I’ve always opted for the transparent top in all my cars. Solid feels very confining in a car that is on the small side to begin with.
Heat sun has never been a factor.
It is in my regular car and I close the visor, never missed that
feature in the corvette, must be the tinting?
Heat sun has never been a factor.
It is in my regular car and I close the visor, never missed that
feature in the corvette, must be the tinting?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 678
Likes: 499
From: Canada 🇨🇦
I’ve always opted for the transparent top in all my cars. Solid feels very confining in a car that is on the small side to begin with.
Heat sun has never been a factor.
It is in my regular car and I close the visor, never missed that
feature in the corvette, must be the tinting?
Heat sun has never been a factor.
It is in my regular car and I close the visor, never missed that
feature in the corvette, must be the tinting?
with the material used?
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 984
From: Houston Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 2,105
I had the transparent top in my C6. I also had the transparent and optional additional solid top on my C4. What a waste of money getting the solid top as a second top. Never used it.
Loved the transparent top in both my C4 and C6. It never got hot in the summer.
The transparent top is also lighter weight than the solid, and that helps when you need to remove it and replace it.
My C7 is a convertible,
My C8 that I have a deposit on will get a transparent top.
Loved the transparent top in both my C4 and C6. It never got hot in the summer.
The transparent top is also lighter weight than the solid, and that helps when you need to remove it and replace it.
My C7 is a convertible,
My C8 that I have a deposit on will get a transparent top.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 729
My observation is the transparent roof is a love it or hate it situation. I don’t care for sun roofs or targa removable panels..but I like rag tops... down or up. Spyder fold away metal tops are neat but how much extra complications and weight. Doubt I’d go for it. I ordered my 2010 Grand Sport Vert 1LT to avoid electric motors. Never regretted the decision a minute to date. Takes 30 seconds to put the top up or down. Shipping weight on car was 3210 lbs. If I could wish for anything from Corvette it would be: MAKE A LIGHT CAR AGAIN.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 39
I’ve had the transparent roof in both of my C7’s and never experienced any problem with heat, even with temperatures over 100 degrees while driving. However if parked for a long period of time in the hot sun, I’m sure the interior temperature of the cabin would be hotter than with a solid roof. Solution, open the door and don’t get in for a minute. Heat will escape and aclimate to outside temperature.
The only disadvantage of the transparent roof in my opinion is the view out of the roof is slightly distorted because there are two molded ridges sculpted into the roof panel that follow the contour of the roofline. When I look up at a skyscraper building, the building is crooked. Does anyone know if the C8 transparent roof is flat? Without distortion?
The only disadvantage of the transparent roof in my opinion is the view out of the roof is slightly distorted because there are two molded ridges sculpted into the roof panel that follow the contour of the roofline. When I look up at a skyscraper building, the building is crooked. Does anyone know if the C8 transparent roof is flat? Without distortion?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 2,933
From: N.E. Suburb MN
Only had transparent roof on a black on black car and love it. Between the small cabin size and other windows it doesn't make a difference for heating up. I've always just cracked the windows when parked any way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
I have both the solid and transparent top for my C6. In 15 years the solid top may have been used twice. I would only get the solid top if i were ordering the C8 with racing stripes, and then I'd order the dual roof package to have both tops. The transparent top makes the car feel much larger on the inside, and I've occasionly used it at a traffic signal when I've stopped too close at a red signal waiting for a green light.
Last edited by NextOne; Jul 27, 2019 at 09:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 592
From: Olathe KS
Only thing I hated about my C7 was the transparent roof. WAY to hot and bright. I immediately purchased one of the suction cup mounted thick covers (also had the re-stickable film at first)
I also did not way the way it looked, it broke up the color of the car. I bought my C7 off the lot and it was the only option I would have removed.
I will be getting the body colored roof on my C8 order.
I also did not way the way it looked, it broke up the color of the car. I bought my C7 off the lot and it was the only option I would have removed.
I will be getting the body colored roof on my C8 order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 98
From: Naples, Florida
2015 C7 of Year Finalist
I have had transparent roofs since my 1987 Corvette. The C8 I already ordered with a transparent roof. I even modified my C6 Z06 with a custom fixed transparent top. I like the fact it gives the interior of the car a more spacious look. I don't drive mine often enough to worry about heat, although I live in Houston. If I were to daily drive it, I could opt for a second solid roof or get an after market sun shade.
Last edited by zhopper05; Jul 27, 2019 at 10:30 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 1,318
From: Kingston, Ontario
I never had an issue with heat on my transparent top, nothing the AC couldn't handle and I loved how it made the cabin feel more spacious. The only thing I disliked was that the side rails were black and not body colour. It looks like the C8 is making it body colour similar to the exposed carbon roof. If thats the case I may be getting one again.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 7
Agree. I had both tops on my C5. Rarely used the clear top here in Florida.
The solid top was on constraint when I ordered my C6, so had only the transparent top. I live in Central Florida and had to get the suction cup-mounted internal liner to reduce heat in the cabin.
If I lived in a hot climate and could only manage one top, it would be the solid- in carbon fiber. Best of all Worlds? Get both tops
The solid top was on constraint when I ordered my C6, so had only the transparent top. I live in Central Florida and had to get the suction cup-mounted internal liner to reduce heat in the cabin.
If I lived in a hot climate and could only manage one top, it would be the solid- in carbon fiber. Best of all Worlds? Get both tops
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,294
From: SouthEast PA
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
I never had an issue with heat on my transparent top, nothing the AC couldn't handle and I loved how it made the cabin feel more spacious. The only thing I disliked was that the side rails were black and not body colour. It looks like the C8 is making it body colour similar to the exposed carbon roof. If thats the case I may be getting one again.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 1,174
I never had an issue with heat on my transparent top, nothing the AC couldn't handle and I loved how it made the cabin feel more spacious. The only thing I disliked was that the side rails were black and not body colour. It looks like the C8 is making it body colour similar to the exposed carbon roof. If thats the case I may be getting one again.
I want the transparent roof but ONLY if the sides are painted as shown in the visualizer above... what worries me is this picture below.
Sides aren't painted and I do NOT like how it looks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,272
Likes: 3,161
From: Oro Valley Arizona
Hmm?
Check for aftermarket C7 transparent top shades. You'll find a lot of vendors selling them at $200. They are suction mounted so they reduce headroom by a inch or so. In S AZ, our sun is so intense a transparent top would be like a toaster on the bagel setting. And me being the cut side.
Last edited by papillion; Jul 28, 2019 at 12:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 1,536
From: Johnson City NY
I agree with those that like the transparent top, We have always had them on our vehicles,
I think a transparent top on the Spyder Vert would be the BEST !
Open Top and Open Views !
I think a transparent top on the Spyder Vert would be the BEST !
Open Top and Open Views !