Worst Conv top ever! late model F-bodys

[masraum]

What is up with the tops on late model camaros and firebirds? I'm sure you've all seen them driving down the road with their top looking like it's about 7 months pregnant. It's as if the top comes loose from all of the top frame except the outside edges. Maybe the AC in those things is so kickin that the tops inflate like a balloon.

I'd be embarrassed to drive one of those things. Maybe they're ok in Cali where you never have to put your top up.

I tried to find a picture online, but couldn't.

So, what other cars have horrible tops, and can they tough the F-body?

[kaisen]

I owned two of them, a 1998 SS and a 2000 SS Convert. The 1998 had a white vinyl top, the 2000 a black cloth top.

Neither exhibited any problems at all under any driving conditions. The bowing or ballooning you mention is simply the low pressure area created above the top as the windshield aims air over the car. No big deal. The F-Body doesn't have a bow that runs from side-to-side above the driver's head, so it 'poofs' up there a little more than in some other converts with different shaped tops.

[71T Targa]

My jeep was the worst for this. Not really a convertible, but the soft-top would either be puffed out or sucked in depending on if the windows were up or down.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I owned two of them, a 1998 SS and a 2000 SS Convert. The 1998 had a white vinyl top, the 2000 a black cloth top.

Neither exhibited any problems at all under any driving conditions. The bowing or ballooning you mention is simply the low pressure area created above the top as the windshield aims air over the car. No big deal. The F-Body doesn't have a bow that runs from side-to-side above the driver's head, so it 'poofs' up there a little more than in some other converts with different shaped tops.

Come on, the top looks like a single boob facing the sky on these things at highway speeds. I've never noticed anything like it in any other car. Yes, it's the low pressure. No transverse bow explains things.

I'm a car guy, but when it comes to the domestics, my preference is for GM stuff, but the top on those cars to me is right up there with the Aztek.

[kaisen]

Not too many pics of my F-Bodys with the top up. I used to leave them in the garage with the top down. If it was nice, I'd drive it. If it wasn't, they'd stay in the garage. But these give you an idea of the top and the bows:

[gtc]

911 targa tops do the same thing. Even ones rebuilt by an 'expert' in new jersey. The vacuum above the roof just lifts the vinyl right up.

[Oh Haha]

I rode inmy first convertible a few weeks ago. I had never ridden in one.

The car was a 1988 Carrera with just 26,000 miles so it was like brand new. I was surprized at how quiet it was with the top up.



kaisen--Is that the factory SLP 4 outlet exhaust on the SS? 6speed?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by gtc

911 targa tops do the same thing. Even ones rebuilt by an 'expert' in new jersey. The vacuum above the roof just lifts the vinyl right up.

Not the one I got from JMPRO!

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

kaisen--Is that the factory SLP 4 outlet exhaust on the SS? 6speed?

Wayne-

Yes, and yes.
It had $5300 in GM options and $2700 in SLP options, including the stainless dual/dual performance exhaust



It was sold to a well-known Camaro collector in Canada five years ago when it had about 4000 miles on it. It still has under 5000 miles, so I've heard.

[kaisen]

SLP Dual / Dual:

[Oh Haha]

Very nice!

That setup had a great tone.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gtc

911 targa tops do the same thing. Even ones rebuilt by an 'expert' in new jersey. The vacuum above the roof just lifts the vinyl right up.

Not all of them. I have seen a couple that were in bad shape, but I've also seen some that were fine at speed.