Top Comparison's in both my 2012's

[95birdible]

I just got my new 2012 which was produced on 4/4/12. My old one was made on 7/27/11 and the top replaced on 9/29/11. Here are some observations that I have noticed. Look at the side by side pictures of the new top on the black car, and the brand new red car. Ribs are noticeable on the black and not the red. The angle of the slope toward the rear window is different.

[95birdible]

The side rail is now more tapered than previous. Also, note the side bracket is also different.

[95birdible]

The headliner bracket is also different. It was not shaved down on my new car.

[95birdible]

The position and retraction of the top is also different. The rails point more upward than previously and just laid horizontal. Now it points upward.

[Nutbutt]

Noticed the same changes on mine when they did the total mechanical and canvas off the production line. I didn't notice in the pictures if they also put in the tape. I also noticed more padding around the top of the bows.

[bmodell]

Does top still flop in the wind when driving without the Cover?

[duckota]

Does the fabric material feel/look any different between the two tops?

[95birdible]

The top still flaps a bit. I have a 1SS so no cover. Wouldn't put it on anyway if I had one. The fabric is different. The new car seems to be smoother and not as rough as my replacement top last September. It has a better feel and reminds me of the Mustang cloth top.

Nutt, I did notice a 4 inch piece of tape on the rail. It blended in so good I didn't notice it at first. Once the sunlight hit it I saw it right away.

[dwinva]

Thanks for this post. I'm feeling a lot better about the 2SS/RS convertible I ordered on 3/29/12, as I have been wondering if I'm going to get to experience the headaches many of you have endured over the past several months. I also REALLY like the color of your new ride (what I could see of it in the first pic). I also ordered the CRT....looks very candy apple red-like.

[BDH]

Congrats on the replacement...looks great. Is there a production date tag on the top? If there is, where is it located on the top, and what is yours. Mine was produced on 4/3, and want to make sure it's the same as yours. Thanks.

[95birdible]

BDH here is the only shot I have so far with the top down and in the sun. I just love CRT

['11 cyber grey vert]

birdible,
thanks for posting.
your new ride looks great.Enjoy!!!!

I agree, the frame position is much different as you pointed out, angled up and the side supports are way different.
Could it be GM has resolved the issues on the new ones?

I still feel GM is going to leave us older edition vert owners hanging

I feel GM will attempt to fix the broken ones if within the warranty period and the vert owners will be on the hook for repairs outside of the warranty periods.

Does not make me feel too confident that my 5th bow won't break again at some point, as the structure/frame is the same parts as before.
Time will tell I guess.


DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE 5TH BOW REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE BETTER QUALITY THAN THE ORIGINAL POS(PIECE OF S#-T) PARTS THAT WERE ON
THE VERTS IN THE 1ST PLACE?

[Nutbutt]

From what I can tell on my mechanics that were replaced the 5th bow looks almost the same. It does sit better on the rear deck and seems to move nice and smooth when the top is retracted.

[95birdible]

I just noticed that also Nutt. My top drops about 4 to 5 inches under the rear deck. The water bag is nice and flush so no getting in the way of the 5th bow. It seems to track lower than my previous car also.
As far as 5th bow I never had a problem on my old car so I couldn't tell you.
You can tell from my full size pic how the top now sits in the well with the side guides up in the air toward the front of the car. The curved portion is now more rounded and not as a sharp of an angle as previous also.