Whatever happened to T-Tops?? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lets_go_bills · 03-09-2011, 03:36 PM

They went out with mullets.

Number 3 · 03-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTideMom

That's what I was thinking too. Can't be a safety issue! If my car flipped I would rather have t-tops with some protection than no protection with a convertible..

A car with T-tops is still a coupe. And a coupe with T-tops doesn't offer much protection, and you would lose your RRAB in side impacts. If you saw the current side impact and pole tests you would all simply go, "ahhhh, now I understand"

If you guys are REALLY that strong about this, start a campaign with NHTSA. Lack of T-tops isn't because GM "didn't think about it". It's because of the difficulty in meeting standards.

RollTideMom · 03-09-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 3

The rules exclude convertibles. There wouldn't be convertibles if the same rules applied.

Just doesn't make any sense.... sounds hypocritical to me.

Oh well.. there are always rules that we don't like.

Cam#7 · 03-09-2011, 03:41 PM

First, think about the history of T-TOPs. I had a '78 Z-28 with T-tops and I think this was the first year for the Camaro. They never made a factory convertible with the Gen2s (heavy regulations in the mid 70s), so the T-top was an alternative.

The Gen5s were designed with a convertible and sunroof in mind. There's probably not enough sales to justify the design/safety work to offer a convertible, sunroof and T-Tops. You also need a place to put the T-Tops, we all know the limited size of the trunk opening.

thespymaster · 03-09-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 3

A car with T-tops is still a coupe. And a coupe with T-tops doesn't offer much protection, and you would lose your RRAB in side impacts. If you saw the current side impact and pole tests you would all simply go, "ahhhh, now I understand"

If you guys are REALLY that strong about this, start a campaign with NHTSA. Lack of T-tops isn't because GM "didn't think about it". It's because of the difficulty in meeting standards.

A VERT is still a coupe, so how does that come into play?

Neozyne · 03-09-2011, 03:47 PM

I'd absolutely love to have T-Tops. I wonder what the damage is to get them??

panther2469 · 03-09-2011, 03:50 PM

Heres one too http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/blog/?p=4883

montreal2010yellow · 03-09-2011, 03:53 PM

With some modern engeneering, maybe!!!!

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Ironheadspearo · 03-09-2011, 04:00 PM

^^^^GOD AWEFUL

Number 3 · 03-09-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thespymaster

A VERT is still a coupe, so how does that come into play?

No, a convertible is a different body style than a coupe, at least according to the government definition. A convertible would not even require the top at all for example.

Structurally a completely different animal. That's why the Camaro has the extra bracing to be so solid.

ffrcobra_65 · 03-09-2011, 04:03 PM

I had five 3rd Gen Camaros, 4 with T -Tops. I love T Tops.

HumanWiki · 03-09-2011, 04:06 PM

Ah. Government logic at its best... Coupe can't have T-Tops due to safety. Convertible is excluded because it's a convertible.

How about just use the extra bracing on a coupe with T-Tops to make up the difference. Then you have the stability of the convertible with a t-top design.

Number 3 · 03-09-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

Ah. Government logic at its best... Coupe can't have T-Tops due to safety. Convertible is excluded because it's a convertible.

How about just use the extra bracing on a coupe with T-Tops to make up the difference. Then you have the stability of the convertible with a t-top design.

Because the conv. bracing is for body stiffness in torsion. The issue is strength of the roof. And T-tops cut a huge hole in the roof that can't be made up. And roof rail airbags are now a critical element in safety performance.

HumanWiki · 03-09-2011, 04:13 PM

Right -- so, it's back to double standards then. Convertible is excluded because it's a convertible. If safety regulations can so easily be thrown out for a car that has no roof, what's the deal with one that has a partial roof? If a 2011 rolls over, your head is going to be a road stain.

03-09-2011, 03:36 PM	#15
lets_go_bills Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS CGM M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 815	They went out with mullets. __________________ 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT/RS Cyber Gray Metallic

03-09-2011, 03:50 PM	#21
panther2469 Drives: 2011 2SS RS SIM Litho # 193 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 5,085 View My Garage	Heres one too http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/blog/?p=4883 __________________

03-09-2011, 03:53 PM	#22
montreal2010yellow Drives: 2 LT/RS YELLOW, AUTO., VIN NO. 602 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LAVAL (10 min. north of Montreal), CANADA Posts: 3,526 View My Garage	How about something like this With some modern engeneering, maybe!!!!

03-09-2011, 04:00 PM	#23
Ironheadspearo ride the pain train Drives: 2011 1LT RS, 1998 fxstc HD Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Daytona Beach Posts: 2,047	^^^^GOD AWEFUL __________________ PAIN is temporary, PRIDE is forever......RACE HARD

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03-09-2011, 03:41 PM	#18
Cam#7 Drives: 2011 2LT IBM / SIM stripe 6M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: STL Posts: 863	First, think about the history of T-TOPs. I had a '78 Z-28 with T-tops and I think this was the first year for the Camaro. They never made a factory convertible with the Gen2s (heavy regulations in the mid 70s), so the T-top was an alternative. The Gen5s were designed with a convertible and sunroof in mind. There's probably not enough sales to justify the design/safety work to offer a convertible, sunroof and T-Tops. You also need a place to put the T-Tops, we all know the limited size of the trunk opening.

03-09-2011, 03:47 PM	#20
Neozyne Drives: Cyber Gray SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 132	I'd absolutely love to have T-Tops. I wonder what the damage is to get them??

03-09-2011, 04:03 PM	#25
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	I had five 3rd Gen Camaros, 4 with T -Tops. I love T Tops.

03-09-2011, 04:06 PM	#26
HumanWiki Drives: Car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Place Posts: 3,361	Ah. Government logic at its best... Coupe can't have T-Tops due to safety. Convertible is excluded because it's a convertible. How about just use the extra bracing on a coupe with T-Tops to make up the difference. Then you have the stability of the convertible with a t-top design.

03-09-2011, 04:13 PM	#28
HumanWiki Drives: Car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Place Posts: 3,361	Right -- so, it's back to double standards then. Convertible is excluded because it's a convertible. If safety regulations can so easily be thrown out for a car that has no roof, what's the deal with one that has a partial roof? If a 2011 rolls over, your head is going to be a road stain.