Hard Top Convertible Camaro Anyone? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ECCamaro · 10-28-2011, 04:26 PM

Everyone,

There is a lot of discussion about the cloth tops and fit issues and rub marks and threads coming off, etc.

The converible section of this forum seems to have a multitude of threads on the subject.

Nothing wrong the issues are there. However, rather than temporary fixes or replacements alone, why not ask Chevy for a hard top option!

That's right, what about a hard top convertible Camaro?

Most hard top convertibles have a two piece segmented top. Chevy might have to have a three piece segmented top in order to keep the roof line. The car might also have to be a little longer or wider, but it could be done.

They did it on the Corvette and the XLR.

If Chevy made a hard top convertible version of the Camaro that looked very much like the one we have today would you be interested?

lazyb22 · 10-28-2011, 05:10 PM

Yep very interested!!

ECCamaro · 10-28-2011, 05:30 PM

Great! One person so far! If we have enough maybe GM will listen!

Mr.Maro23 · 10-28-2011, 05:39 PM

well ive had a lot of customers asking me that ? why GM hasnt created a hard top convertible camaro and ive lost sales due to that situation a lot of people prefer hard top not cloth! the truth is Ragtop It's already being criticized for its weight and a hard top would make it even heavier!! IMO

djkingpin · 10-28-2011, 05:51 PM

I'm actually looking into having one made for my 'vert. Just ideas, at this point, but yes, I would be interested =)

VenomInside · 10-28-2011, 06:53 PM

i'd be down

GnyaTek · 10-28-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Maro23

well ive had a lot of customers asking me that ? why GM hasnt created a hard top convertible camaro and ive lost sales due to that situation a lot of people prefer hard top not cloth! the truth is Ragtop It's already being criticized for its weight and a hard top would make it even heavier!! IMO

Yeah, fully agree that the weight issue is likely the main concern for many folks (and for GM). Personally, I would love to see how the convertible hard top would look and perform.

Wantconvertible · 10-28-2011, 08:06 PM

Count me in

bluexlr · 10-28-2011, 08:14 PM

First off the vette never had a retractable top, the XLR (I had one) was made for one also adds about 11,000 dollars to thr cost of the car.

united1 · 10-28-2011, 08:49 PM

I would jump on it in a minute. SLP talked about it when I ordered my car but said it would be too costly to produce.

SUX2BU · 10-28-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluexlr

First off the vette never had a retractable top, the XLR (I had one) was made for one also adds about 11,000 dollars to thr cost of the car.

Yup, there is nothing stoping you from pouring a small fortune into a custom hard top, but GM will never put one red cent into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by united1

I would jump on it in a minute. SLP talked about it when I ordered my car but said it would be too costly to produce.

Exactly.

While we are wishfully thinking, how bout we ask GM to make the Camaro levitate.

HerRSVert · 10-28-2011, 10:00 PM

I always liked the XLR hardtop concept so I'd love to see it on a Camaro. However, I do love my black ragtop on victory red and would have to have one of each in the garage if they ever came out with the hardtop version! LOL

Nutbutt · 10-29-2011, 08:18 AM

Why all the concern about the added weight? Are you that worried about an extra .2 of a sec in the quarter mile ??? Come on, it would be great ! If you really want to save weight take the damn top off completely ! I didn't buy this car to track it, in fact I guarantee that 95% of the people's vert won't ever get parked at the track never mind running them.
I would love to see a vert hardtop, but I'm not quite ready to trade mine in any time soon

Number 3 · 10-29-2011, 08:39 AM

GM has offered two hard top convertibles in recent years. First, as mentioned the XLR and second the Pontiac G6.

What I can assure you in both cases, having driven them on vacations, etc., is that with the top down, neither car has any trunk room left. ZERO. With the XLR, we had to drive back to our hotel and drop off the golf clubs so we could put the top down. Same with the G6 but you could at least put the clubs in the back seat.

It is certainly possible, but it adds significant cost, significant mass, and makes the car even more impracticle. Unless you add even more panels (XLR was two some Volvos I think have 3) you fill the trunk space with the roof.

For some this works and would be fine, but not for everyone.

I worked on the XLR and launched it. It was no cake walk to get the panels to fit and keep the car dry. It is even more complex than the Camaro top system in this regard.

What it does do is provide quieter (slightly) top up driving and that's about it.

But to do it on the Camaro would have been a huge tear up to the structure and back end of the car.

10-28-2011, 05:10 PM	#2
lazyb22 USCG Drives: 2012 LT1 RS Conv V6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Antioch Ca Posts: 100	Yep very interested!! __________________ 2012 SIM RS Vert *MODS:* MRT V2 exhaust, CAI Intake, ADM Scoop, Roto-Fab Washer bottle relocation and TriFecta Tune WISH LIST: not in any order SLP Rear Quarter Panel Gills, Solo HFC, RX Catch Can, Vmax Throttle Body, Heritage grill, Afterburner taillights, Colorshifting Halos, LED side markers and Window tint.

10-28-2011, 08:49 PM	#10
united1 Drives: slpzl585vert. Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ma. Posts: 925 View My Garage	I would jump on it in a minute. SLP talked about it when I ordered my car but said it would be too costly to produce. __________________

10-28-2011, 10:00 PM	#12
HerRSVert Drives: 2011 1LT/RS Victory Red Convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 82 View My Garage	I always liked the XLR hardtop concept so I'd love to see it on a Camaro. However, I do love my black ragtop on victory red and would have to have one of each in the garage if they ever came out with the hardtop version! LOL __________________

10-29-2011, 08:18 AM	#13
Nutbutt Drives: 2011 RJT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 3,381 View My Garage	Why all the concern about the added weight? Are you that worried about an extra .2 of a sec in the quarter mile ??? Come on, it would be great ! If you really want to save weight take the damn top off completely ! I didn't buy this car to track it, in fact I guarantee that 95% of the people's vert won't ever get parked at the track never mind running them. I would love to see a vert hardtop, but I'm not quite ready to trade mine in any time soon __________________ 1st IPF Supercharged 2011 2LT/RS RJT Convertible

10-29-2011, 08:39 AM	#14
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,171 View My Garage	GM has offered two hard top convertibles in recent years. First, as mentioned the XLR and second the Pontiac G6. What I can assure you in both cases, having driven them on vacations, etc., is that with the top down, neither car has any trunk room left. ZERO. With the XLR, we had to drive back to our hotel and drop off the golf clubs so we could put the top down. Same with the G6 but you could at least put the clubs in the back seat. It is certainly possible, but it adds significant cost, significant mass, and makes the car even more impracticle. Unless you add even more panels (XLR was two some Volvos I think have 3) you fill the trunk space with the roof. For some this works and would be fine, but not for everyone. I worked on the XLR and launched it. It was no cake walk to get the panels to fit and keep the car dry. It is even more complex than the Camaro top system in this regard. What it does do is provide quieter (slightly) top up driving and that's about it. But to do it on the Camaro would have been a huge tear up to the structure and back end of the car. __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

10-28-2011, 05:30 PM	#3
ECCamaro High Desert Camaro Man Drives: White Convertible-Tan Top 2SS V8 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Bernadino County, California Posts: 386	Great! One person so far! If we have enough maybe GM will listen!

10-28-2011, 05:39 PM	#4
Mr.Maro23 Drives: 2010 2lt chevy camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miami FL Posts: 224	well ive had a lot of customers asking me that ? why GM hasnt created a hard top convertible camaro and ive lost sales due to that situation a lot of people prefer hard top not cloth! the truth is Ragtop It's already being criticized for its weight and a hard top would make it even heavier!! IMO

10-28-2011, 05:51 PM	#5
djkingpin Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Camaro Convertible Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Anaheim Posts: 23	I'm actually looking into having one made for my 'vert. Just ideas, at this point, but yes, I would be interested =)

10-28-2011, 08:06 PM	#8
Wantconvertible Drives: 2011 SS/RS VERT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PHILA PA Posts: 1,615	Count me in

10-28-2011, 08:14 PM	#9
bluexlr Drives: 2017 rs coupe V6 auto B&W int h.blu Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: dover de. Posts: 88	First off the vette never had a retractable top, the XLR (I had one) was made for one also adds about 11,000 dollars to thr cost of the car.

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