New Corvette owner here...I recently purchased a 1995 and I have been reading on the "ole" internet about the targa top and removing it. There are a lot of negatives about driving with it removed because it is considered a structural part of the car. Can any of you vette veterans give me some "hands on" advice on what I can and can't (or shouldn't) do? Weather getting nice in Central New York and I would like to remove the top.

There's a reason the targa tops are bolted on, instead of clamped....they do add to the structure stability. That being said, MANY folks drive with the tops off all the time. It might increase the likelyhood of things getting out of alignment, as far as taking the top off/re-installing it, but...in the long run, the cars were designed as targas from the git-go...the chassis structure is supposed to be stout enough to handle going topless, but...adding the "X" brace from the convertibles is a good way to stiffen up the structure, and add a little piece of mind, if you're really worried about it.
I personally never take the targa off my '85...I think it's been off maybe twice since I bought it in '98. Just a personal thing for me...I'm lazy, for one, and I believe keeping it bolted on helps with keeping the water out, by not damaging the weatherstrips. The car will still creak and moan when driving over inclines, such as in my driveway, so the added stiffness of the top is comforting.
If you want to go topless, by all mean take it off and enjoy.


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Joel Adams  
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I take mine off and keep it out now that the weather's good.  It doesn't see rain though it's a nice weather only driver.

Thank you all very much for the responses...I have already ordered a rear window hatch vent bracket to help reduce cockpit turbulance with the targa removed...so guess its coming off. (course its going to wait a few days as its only 49 degrees outside and staying in the 40's for the next few days)! 

I wouldnt want to do a lot of Autocross racing without the top on, but for your everyday driving tops off is a great way to go. Run mine both ways, depending on the time of year and the temps outside, nothing beats the wind in your hair and the sun on your face for a great time of corvette cruisin.

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

Carl, how long have you lived in Rome?

If you're not going to "drive it like you stole it" you'll be fine...I have an '88 with 24,000 actual miles on it and never had an issue with it...but mine is a bit babyed......btw you'll love the hatch extender....really makes a big difference in the amount of cockpit turbulance.

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....Jeff

Some people say the car feels too loose, others don't. In my case I hear a few squeaks now and then but the car rides and handles about the same either way.
As mentioned above, there are fixes if it shakes too much for you, like using the brace from a convertible, or a brace that looks like a t-top bar that bolts in it's place.
Either way, it's just more fun to drive with the top off.

|UPDATED|3/25/2012 9:46:30 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I take the targa off every other weekend or so, but I don't leave it off for long and I try to keep the weatherstriping moisturized with some "Armor-All" or "WD-40 wiped on with a cloth..it doesn't take long for the sun to do it's dirty work.

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Remember, there's no place like ~ ;)

I have a 96 CE.  Here in sunny California, I take the top off whenever possible.  I have the "ventmaster" hatch which
really helps in the air flow through the cabin as well as cooling the car down while driving. Don't have to use the a/c
as often.  There is a little shaking of the car at low speed 25-35 but seems to settle down once moving.  It's the
stability factor with the top off.  The "ventmaster" does help cut down on the unstablility.  As long as you don't
floor it or take curves at high speeds it's fine.  It's a great feeling to drive around with the top off! 


Happy motoring  topless

I take mine off quite a bit in the summer and while you will hear a lot more squeaks, nothing to be scared of.  As mentioned the hatch vent is one of the best inventions yet, makes a big difference in cockpit turbulance. 

I have only had the roof off my 95 a few times; the "flex" others talked about bothered me - especially when the road wasn't very smooth.  But I did enjoy the wind in my hair, so I'm thinking about looking for the cross bar that can be installed once the roof has been removed; cures the flex I'm told.

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Love my C4!

 

I lived in Flagstaff, AZ for seven years. That's enough sun exposure for one lifetime -- my top's on, and it's staying on! With all the glass the '96 coupe has, that's plenty of light/wind anyway...

Urb


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Since getting our '87 a year ago I've done a bit of searching on this very subject. Some of the forums had information that between '86 and '87 Chevy increased the stiffness of the coupes by copying the improvements done to the drop-tops. When driving on public streets all I've noticed is an extra creak coming from the back hatch area when rolling over drainage gutters. Otherwise the handling is the same top on or off. No concerns so I pop the top very often. I did have a chance to lap Watkins Glen this weekend but I did leave the top on for that. Just a gut feeling that if I was clipping curbs and tossing it around curves I'd be best off keeping it on and not tweak any window fittings.

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i talk to a gm enginer about this same subject  he told me the frame is strong enough to leave the top off. the car was designed to flex.  he also said .. that vette owners worry to much about it. and have thier opinions about it. however he said people over tighten the bolts. this will cause alignment issuses  also could cause the roof to crack. so said i will take mine off. and enjoy the sun.  when possible. 

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