Lightweight targa top
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 656
Likes: 311
From: About an hour north west of Albany, NY
Lightweight targa top
After reading the recent thread about temporay targa covers for parked coupes, I couldn't help thinking that there's a market for a lightweight, drivable. more compact when not in use targa top. Curious if any other coupe owners might be interested in something like that. At 61 years old, man handling the stock targa top is a chore taking it off and putting it on, so I don't use it anywhere near as much as I'd like.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Am I thinking wrong when I think that the targa top is only like 16lbs? Not sure how much lighter it can get. IMHO, that's pretty light.
You can always go with the HTC option like I did, and with a convertible, you never have to touch the top to remove it. Just press a button.
You can always go with the HTC option like I did, and with a convertible, you never have to touch the top to remove it. Just press a button.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
It feels heavier than 16 lbs
Am I thinking wrong when I think that the targa top is only like 16lbs? Not sure how much lighter it can get. IMHO, that's pretty light.
You can always go with the HTC option like I did, and with a convertible, you never have to touch the top to remove it. Just press a button.
You can always go with the HTC option like I did, and with a convertible, you never have to touch the top to remove it. Just press a button.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1,592
From: Clermont, Florida
How are you lifting it off? On my C7 I popped the top above the rear-view mirror then grabbed the top from above and pulled forward a little then grabbed the center rear of top from above.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
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From: Central Illinois
This may make you feel bad when you see the size of the girl removing the roof by herself and how effortless she does it.
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
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Racer
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 386
Likes: 324
From: Baldwin County - "Sweet Home" Alabama
This may make you feel bad when you see the size of the girl removing the roof by herself and how effortless she does it.
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
The woman in the video is short but she is also YOUNG and FLEXABLE... some older owners in their late 60's early 70's.. flexibility... not so much.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
I call shenanigans
This may make you feel bad when you see the size of the girl removing the roof by herself and how effortless she does it.
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch...78713001_en_US
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,185
From: Central Illinois
I think it's that easy, I was surprised when I removed mine. It's pretty light weight, I would say I would throw it like a Frisbee, but it's not heavy at all. I'm 65 BTW.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 1,151
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From: Northern Illinois
It’s very clumsy and easy to whack on something when putting it on or off. Someone needs to design a cloth soft top stretched to a lightweight frame for summer use. The front latches should also be electrified at the touch of a button for this price point.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
Precisely, if you are in the garage in a tight spot with another car next to the C8
It's not as maneuverable as the GM video makes it seem.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
You guys must be super strong.
I consider myself of above average strength and agility in my age group but it doesn't feel that light to me, especially the initial lift off the car. Perhaps on a scale it is but because of the shape, depending where you hold it you could have a lot of weight hanging far away from your body. It's much easier to take out of the trunk as the leverage is different.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 656
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From: About an hour north west of Albany, NY
As for the "buy an HTC" folks, I tried. I had deposits at 2 local dealers for a '23 HTC in Caffeine when GM pulled the color.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
In retrospect maybe the HTC would have been better ?
Yeah, both of these for me. I'm not saying it's a lot of weight, but it is awkward, and god forbid don't attempt in a big parking lot where a gust of wind might suddenly show up. Been there, almost lost hold of it. That was the last time I tried that!
As for the "buy an HTC" folks, I tried. I had deposits at 2 local dealers for a '23 HTC in Caffeine when GM pulled the color.
As for the "buy an HTC" folks, I tried. I had deposits at 2 local dealers for a '23 HTC in Caffeine when GM pulled the color.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,185
From: Central Illinois