SailingVette

How easy is it for one person to remove and stow the top to the coupe? Is it something you would do for a 15 minute drive and then replace, or is it more of an effort than it would be worth? How does it compare to droping the top on a vert? Do you really get an open air feeling with the targa top off? How about air turbulance? I know it is suppose to be better on the C6. Thanks.

Dsob15

I had a 98 C5. I remember it taking about 3min to take off the top and put in the back correctly, maybe less than that. It really does help to have 2 people though. Cuts the time in half. With the lighter top it should be easier and I'm sure they've improved the release mechanisms. When putting the top back on you really need to make sure it's secure. I didn't thoroughly check one time and my glass top ended up flying off on a very busy road, luckily nobody was injured and neither was the top.
You really dont get the complete "open air feeling" with the top off but it's just cool. No other car looks as good as a vette with the targa top off. Air turbulence didn't really bother me either.


[Modified by Dsob15, 5:26 AM 5/24/2004]

Cool 50th AE

I wonder if the frame of the targa top on the C6 will heat to 4000 degrees in the summer like my '98 did? I remember burning my digits numerous times taking the top off.

Another Yellow

The new top is actually 1 pound heavier. It is larger and stows easier and there is less air turbulence when off.

I remove the top for as little as a 10 minute drive. The vert is a lot easier to open up, especially with the new power top, but the coupe with the top off is enough air for me.

TRAYC7

I watched them remove it at the b-day bash.. one person did it... seemed to be an easy task... I will know more when I do it myself...

Dsob15

I see, I thought they made a big deal about it because it was larger and lighter. Maybe I'm wrong.

Another Yellow

From the NCM website.

The removable-roof panel is 15 percent larger, yet offers the same structural stiffness as C5’s while weighing just one pound more.

TedG

I had no issues removing the top from my 99, 3 minutes was a stretch more like 45 seconds. Push the hatch release, pop the 3 latches, lift the front, slide it forward, place it in the back (had recievers) then there were 2 spring loaded levers to latch it in, close the hatch. I have a bad back, and never once did it bother me. The frame is magnesium, not bad at all.

REL44

In comparison with say a Supra targa, the C5's top was a snap to take off and stow. I never owned a C5, but one of my best friends did, and he loved to drive with the top off. I heard that the release mechanism on the C6's top should be even easier.

RichieRich

Yeah, I take mine on and off all the time too. It's a piece of cake. You can do it in less than 30 seconds no problem. It IS a bitch though when it's really hot.

In terms of targa tops, it's really one of the more user friendly, if not THE MOST, there is. People with older Vettes, Supras, Ferraris etc have all commented what a pain it was to use a ratchet tool to remove theirs. With the C5 and C6, it's just a couple flicks of the brackets and off it comes. Yet another benefit of the extremely rigid frame.

Open top with the targa is great. Makes me wonder why someone pays the outrageous $7K premium for the vert. It's not THAT much different.

Matt Gruber

does anyone know what the c5 top weighs?
i can do the math
1+x=

TedG

Don't know the weight off hand but there are 2 different weights, the solid color top is heavier(it has a lining, insulation, and same material as the body) and the clear top is lexan only, so it is much lighter.

cmicasa

the C5 targa takes me less than 30 sec to get off and stowed proper. Now the C4 what the hell were they thinking. On an 80 degree day, by the time I got the top off I was sweating like a slave. A F------- rachet to get the top off. I was so relieved when I got the C5 because it had quick release like my C3 and Iroc-Z had

vettetown

The C6 top is MUCH lighter, and there is also a handle on the back trunk to help you open it up, instead of having to grab the car. Also it has a suction thing where to eliminate pushing down on the trunk, if it's close it will suck the trunk down. Also you dont have to take the top off and spin it around, it will go striaght in. But yes i had the pleasure of taking the top off of the c6 many times, and it's much much lighter, and yes one person can do it.

Another Yellow

Why does the website for the NCM lists the top as one pound heavier?

Also, the handle on the inside of the hatch is for pulling the hatch down so you don't have to touch the paint. There was never an issue opening the hatch as you lift from the inside.

The closing of the hatch is done electronically, not by suction.

TTRotary

About 22lb, I think (solid version).

LongTimer

When my C3 was my daily driver, it was a rare day that I didn't stow at least the driver's side T-top (deftly executable at a stoplight). The single flip handle made the task a breeze compared to my C4 bolts. I skipped the C5 Gen completely so I am anxious to start a C6 top removal traning program!! Maybe they will make it an Olympic event!

Matt Gruber

wow 23, that's a lot.
i have here a concrete block that is 20

TedG

I hate too say this but if a concrete block is not a one hander, you might want to start visiting a local gym. Not to lift a top, but for your own health.

Matt Gruber

doing rehab for a severe injury. if i get stronger without surgery i'll