2020 Corvette Convertible to have a Hard Top

"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd) 07/24/2019 at 13:07 • Filed to: c8, C8 Corvette, Corvette

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Looks like the C8 Corvette convertible is going to be a hard top.

Should work similar to how Ferrari does it. The rear trunk should stay open which is a benefit over the coupe’ s removable top. Only negative is no engine window.

Pictures from the reveal:

HammerheadFistpunch > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 13:30

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I thought all C8's were convertibles with hardtop panels.

facw > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 13:32

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Looks good to me.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 13:33

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shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 13:34

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No, the standard Vettes have a removable targa top.

InFierority Complex > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 13:34

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I see it more as an automatic targa roof rather than a true convertible. Looks like you get a bit more of an open air feeling than the standard roof option but not by much.

Future next gen S2000 owner > shop-teacher 07/24/2019 at 13:34

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I think the distinction is subtle when the buttresses remain.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 13:35

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built in weight reduction

shop-teacher > Future next gen S2000 owner 07/24/2019 at 13:39

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Its certainly more subtle of a difference than in years past, but the convertible looks a fair bit more open to my eyes. I've never been a fan of the drop top Vettes, but this one looks pretty freaking cool to me.

LongbowMkII > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 13:41

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There’s really no point to the convertible. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 13:46

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There’s thiiiiis much less car left behind your head with the convertible, for a more — maybe — airy feel with the top down compared to the standard Vette which has a removal... targa... whatever thingie.

Further, you don’t have to get out of your car and store a removable piece in your trunk, you can just have a button store the top away at a red light or whenever.

Seems a waste of time and weight for a minor convenience, but I could say that about any feature in a modern car.

... hardtop convertibles are stupid.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Nibby 07/24/2019 at 13:46

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But it gets held in the car still, just not up top 

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > LongbowMkII 07/24/2019 at 13:47

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For people too lazy to take the top off themselves, yeah that seems like the point

benn454 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/24/2019 at 13:52

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 Counterpoint: ragtops look cheap as hell and are way too easily damaged

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benn454 07/24/2019 at 13:59

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Touché ... I also meant to specify that I don’t care for retractable* hardtops. A removable hardtop is pretty dope and makes my mom’s NA Miata more livable for annual use.

facw > LongbowMkII 07/24/2019 at 14:32

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No pint in top you can add/remove at a push of the button and doesn’t waste trunk space? No point in having additional air and light from the more open back?  

HammerheadFistpunch > shop-teacher 07/24/2019 at 14:42

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so there will be a dedicated drop top to. got it

HammerheadFistpunch > benn454 07/24/2019 at 14:43

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no roof. get committed

PS9 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/24/2019 at 14:53

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Convenience is the currency of the new. No amount of time and weight is wasted in pursuit of it, so long as the buyer sees and value’s more convenience in the product .

LongbowMkII > facw 07/24/2019 at 14:54

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There’s not much more light and air from the convertible. It looks like you’re deep in a little cocoon either way. 

facw > LongbowMkII 07/24/2019 at 14:57

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But some more. Seems like an advantage to me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 15:02

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If like Ferrari’s, m uch simple operation than the Porsche or Miata targas.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 15:04

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It’ll probably outsell the Targa 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > PS9 07/24/2019 at 15:13

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That’s why no one is wasting time building cars for me.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 07/24/2019 at 16:11

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Yup.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 17:38

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Instead of 5k for a custom VIN, can I spend that to get the Targa top welded back into the chassis

PS9 > LongbowMkII 07/24/2019 at 19:23

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That seems to be the way of it with this type of sports car. The 458 and 488 also have the mini cocoon design. The R8 spyder is more traditional but also it has to aluminum posts that pop up in case of roll over.

I suspect (and speculate) That roll over protection regs for convertibles have MR engine car makers either relying on permanent posts (C8 488, 458) or something else (R8 with its pop up posts)

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > BahamaTodd 07/24/2019 at 22:43

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I was hoping that the convertible would have a rigid folding top.

Top up, it may look like the notchback C3s, buttresses behind vertical rear glass.

top down, it will likely be more open than the targa coupe.

If the top is powered, and likely to be, it will also be easier, quicker, and possible to raise or lower the roof at a stop light, or even up to a modest rolling speed.

If the only sacrifice is a little additional weight, and not being able to see the top of the engine, it might well be worth it on a cruiser. Obviously not for a focused motorsport/track car.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BahamaTodd 07/25/2019 at 01:07

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No engine window? Buy a Ferrari.

BahamaTodd > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 07/25/2019 at 10:43

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Well t he buttresses will probably have permanent internal roll bars. If they do then the convertible could be ok for track use.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > BahamaTodd 07/25/2019 at 13:22

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Sure, and I didn’t mean to say that the convertible would be unsuitable for the track.

I was getting at the idea that someone buying a Corvette for primarily track days and motorsport would probably want the targa coupe without the mech anicals for automatically converting the top, and that associated weight... or even possibly waiting for a track-pack car (zo6 or something otherwise yet to come) with a fixed and structural roof and taller roll-over protection.