t-tops anyone or maybe customized

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs13/f/2007/044/9/a/__08_Camaro_T_Tops_by_bobtheowl001.jpg

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/238/a/8/Camaro_SS_Chop_by_gt1750.jpg
from the deviant art website

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/227/1/c/Chevy_Camaro_Concept_chop__by_RedOXM.jpg

The black SS is nice, but the silver one with the mesh grille is ugly. Mesh grilles are just WAY too 'busy' to me.

I've said it before, I'll say it again... TTops looks just fine on the 5th Gen imo.

the concept camaro looks better than i have imagined with t-tops(i still think a single targa top would look the best, bc it could be body colored or smoked) but i would have to see a pic with t-tops on the car to get the full effect.

I think targa would look better.

Dont like the look of those T-tops. Targa would be better.

Im in love with the black one although Im confused as to why the exhaust tips are in the front like that.

Dont like the look of those T-tops. Targa would be better.

Im in love with the black one although Im confused as to why the exhaust tips are in the front like that.

i love it also but i disslike the exhaust and the giant ss badges

T-tops on the 5th gen= drool :)

wow, the t-tops look better than I had expected. I'd want to see them extend further forward than shown in the picture though.

I won't buy the Camaro unless it has T-Tops. My dad and I both have them on our 02s and I will never buy a car without them again. I love being able to see the sky above me. Oh, and I refuse to buy a Camaro with a moon roof even more so.

I won't buy the Camaro unless it has T-Tops. My dad and I both have them on our 02s and I will never buy a car without them again. I love being able to see the sky above me. Oh, and I refuse to buy a Camaro with a moon roof even more so.


I agree! I Plan on buying the 09, but only if T-Tops are available. I dont think a camaro is a camaro without the t-top option.

I highly doubt that we will a T-top option on the Camaro again. It would compete with the convertable. I think that Ford has set the pace in that respect and GM is following suite.

Some of the insiders may want to chime in here....

PS. I LOVED my T-tops too, and I had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen cars wif' em!

i'd take a folding hard top in place of the tops

I highly doubt that we will a T-top option on the Camaro again. It would compete with the convertable. I think that Ford has set the pace in that respect and GM is following suite.

Some of the insiders may want to chime in here....

PS. I LOVED my T-tops too, and I had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen cars wif' em!

I thought I had read somewhere that Ford was considering TTops in the Mustang in the near future?

I don't see TTops as competition for convertibles. Most that want a convertible would not settle for TTops. And those that don't particularly care for the look of a convertible (myself included) would opt for TTops.

A hardtop convertible (WITH a sunroof) is the ideal, but not likely to ever happen. Let alone at a price most of us that want TTops (generally a $1000 option) would want to pay.

It's simple. GM should offer TTops as an OPTION. Those that want it can take it, those that hate it don't have to have it.

There was talk of Ttops on Mustang early on but I never heard much about it. Maybe after the refresh but its not like they're pressed to move models.

If anyone has forgotten its not simply a matter of to include or not to include, modern crash standards, and by modern I mean 2009 and not 2002, and not 1969, don't really allow for a car without a B pillar, like the 5th gen concept, to have Ttops.

The crux of the issue is to include them they would have to make some serious design changes for an option they're not crazy about.

T-tops on the 5th gen= drool :)

Agreed.

I honestly don't think that t-tops fit the image of this car. If you look at the roofline definitions, it just doesn't seem like t-tops could be made to fit reasonably. Additionally, I don't see it happening if the production version is to be a full hardtop and have quarter windows without the B-pillar (just like the concept). If there is a B-pillar, then I guess anything is possible. However I just don't see it.

But then I'm just an enthusiast like the rest of you, so what do I know? :p

I have a bad feeling that we wont see T-Tops...atleast not right away. I am hoping that I am wrong tho...and if not T-Tops, Targa would be great too..infact I think it would look more appropriate on the 5th gen.

Scott put nails in the Targa coffin too.

According to him in addition to the same structural issues as Ttops, targas have the added disadvantage of being larger and heavier. Apparently they're already getting complaints about the C6 targa being too big and heavy, and of course the Camaro targa would be bigger and heavier...

THAT'S the black one I have been looking all over for! thanks for posting!!

dont expect T tops on the mustang anytime soon, the structural support for the roof is along the rails. That's why companies like CDC make glass roof kits for them.
I expect the camaro is the same way, what with the new safety standards and all

The T-tops looks good, IMO, but what about a removable solid roof like the vettes?

The T-tops looks good, IMO, but what about a removable solid roof like the vettes?

IMO one removable panel would be too big to store in the trunk. Let alone the possible weight to take off alone.

Gimme TTops.

^ It works fine w/ the vettes, right? :shrug:

Scott put nails in the Targa coffin too.

According to him in addition to the same structural issues as Ttops, targas have the added disadvantage of being larger and heavier. Apparently they're already getting complaints about the C6 targa being too big and heavy, and of course the Camaro targa would be bigger and heavier...

^ It works fine w/ the vettes, right? :shrug:

:think:

^ It works fine w/ the vettes, right? :shrug:

Isn't the roof of the Corvette quite a bit smaller?

^I'm not exactly sure.. Don't get me wrong, I would be ALL FOR the t-tops. Also to go w/ the CAMARO theme of things... :lol:..... Camaro = T-tops.

I just don't think it's going to work on this type of body. :cry:.. Either that or the Vette style removable roof. For structural reasons.

Scott put nails in the Targa coffin too.

......Apparently they're already getting complaints about the C6 targa being too big and heavy......

Not sure who's complaining about the weight of the C6 top, but they OBVIOUSLY never owned a C4 :rolleyes:

My wife loved driving with the T-Tops off of my 92, 95 Z's & 01 SS. She tried pulling the top off my 85 Vette...............once! :)

Weight is all relative, but I would call a C6 top "light". Targas have come a long way. I don't see weight being an issue for a possible targa. Only issue I could see would be the structural support issue. Not too wild about how the car might look with an extra support/pillar between the front and back seat windows.

Hell, I love tops (targa or "T") too and would DEFINITELY get them if they were an option, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if it didn't. It wouldn't make me go to a convertible either, unless they have a "hard" vert top (yeah, I know, probably won't happen) that looks like the "regular" coupe roof when up.

That T-Top chop on the first pic looks great. Honestly, I'll have a hard time talking myself into an f-body without T-tops. I don't like the way convertibles look with the top up and some of my fondest memories of my '89 Formula are cruising with the T-tops off. That could erase a lot of stress from my day.

^ I'm w/ the stress relieving T-Tops. I took a cruise last weekend after sundown. Had the tops off and it was a comfy 80 and :cool:...

It was an ear to ear grin for an hour or so... :D.. I LOVE them friggin T-Tops SOOO MUCH! Owning my Current Z28 has allways been a dream of mine... :)

I think what GM should be looking at is the old "Hurst" ttops on the 76-78 TA's. I think they would fit this roof much better than the 3rd/4th gen style. The early TA ttops left plenty of metal between the tops and I think that might be the ticket on the 5th gen (if ttops are going to be a viable option)

http://members.aol.com/fbodycars/kevindush77ta1.jpg

I think what GM should be looking at is the old "Hurst" ttops on the 76-78 TA's. I think they would fit this roof much better than the 3rd/4th gen style. The early TA ttops left plenty of metal between the tops and I think that might be the ticket on the 5th gen (if ttops are going to be a viable option)

http://members.aol.com/fbodycars/kevindush77ta1.jpg

i have to agree

I think what GM should be looking at is the old "Hurst" ttops on the 76-78 TA's. I think they would fit this roof much better than the 3rd/4th gen style. The early TA ttops left plenty of metal between the tops and I think that might be the ticket on the 5th gen (if ttops are going to be a viable option)

http://members.aol.com/fbodycars/kevindush77ta1.jpg

Makes the opening too small imo. I'd rather have a sunroof than that type of TTop. Make the opening as big as possible for me.

I've never been a fan of the Hurst tops.

Better than nothing though?..........maybe :shrug:

Im still pushing for a targa top

Didn't the hurst-style tops also have way more issues with leaking?

I really would like to see th 5th gen with T-Tops. At least offer it as an option!! The 5th gen picture with the t-tops looks good. Crash standards I guess are not allowing it. :(

Can we get a photochop of the concept with a targa?

IMO if T-tops are offered on the new camaro, they should offer body colored and clear. Like the vette tops.

Didn't the hurst-style tops also have way more issues with leaking?

In a word....... YES!

I had Hurst and Fischer. That's last century tech. 4th gen fbody tops were superior and if we ever get anything, it will be a repeat of that design. At this point Camaro will come in two flavors:

HARD TOP or
'VERT

Maybe we can get the aftermarket interested in doing something?

I'm not saying use the actual Hurst tops... just the concept of a top that leaves a little more roof in between. I'm sure it could be designed to be much better than the old 70's tops.

I won't buy the Camaro unless it has T-Tops. My dad and I both have them on our 02s and I will never buy a car without them again. I love being able to see the sky above me. Oh, and I refuse to buy a Camaro with a moon roof even more so.


Isn't that a bit shallow? You would refuse to buy a great car simply because it lacks t-tops? So I guess you will never buy a Camaro ever. Sorry to break it to ya, but the Camaro will never have t-tops again. It's moonroof or no roof will be your only options. T-tops jeopardize the structural integrity too much, and attempting to put them in yourself is asking for trouble with the curtain air bags and how they design body structures today. Since the last 4th gen rolled off the assembly line 5 years ago, car design has advanced so much that the entire unit body is desgined down to the last millimeter on computer, and all the forces, torsions, supports, and crash zones are analyzed near microscopically. This promises to be the most solid, tight, rattle free, well balanced Camaro ever built. That's due in no small part to the fact there won't be two big chuncks of the roof missing.

When the 4th gen was designed, the body was pretty much stamp some steel and weld it together. And I'll bet the body structure was so weak in comparison to the 5th gen that whether you had t-tops or not it was still loose and flimsy.

I dont want T-tops again, ever.
Two reasons- they are to hick and they leak. To many seals.
Give us a targa top or nothing please.

For those who cant stand the weight, they dont have to purchase the option. Problem solved.

Can't go after the competition these days half-assed ready and offer a removable top a few model years down the line.
GM has done to much of that kind of "baiting" and unless Ford and GM want to go under its time to give us what we want. This is 2007, not 1969 when they had the market to themselves.

Isn't that a bit shallow? You would refuse to buy a great car simply because it lacks t-tops? So I guess you will never buy a Camaro ever. Sorry to break it to ya, but the Camaro will never have t-tops again. It's moonroof or no roof will be your only options. T-tops jeopardize the structural integrity too much, and attempting to put them in yourself is asking for trouble with the curtain air bags and how they design body structures today. Since the last 4th gen rolled off the assembly line 5 years ago, car design has advanced so much that the entire unit body is desgined down to the last millimeter on computer, and all the forces, torsions, supports, and crash zones are analyzed near microscopically. This promises to be the most solid, tight, rattle free, well balanced Camaro ever built. That's due in no small part to the fact there won't be two big chuncks of the roof missing.

When the 4th gen was designed, the body was pretty much stamp some steel and weld it together. And I'll bet the body structure was so weak in comparison to the 5th gen that whether you had t-tops or not it was still loose and flimsy.

I'm with you brother. Moonroof works for me, esp if its removable. I'm not really torn between targa or moonroof, either will be fine.

How about customization? It's mentioned in the title, but not the thread itself. You think anyone would make conversion kits?

How about a Webasto Glassback roof? I think it might look good if they could mold the glass to the roof lines found on the concept.

How about customization? It's mentioned in the title, but not the thread itself. You think anyone would make conversion kits?

These people do one for the Mustang -- you might want to hit them up when the Camaro comes out.
http://www.jmsproductsinc.com/

Just for fodder, here is a quick chop of a targa (not a great looker in my book, although I love the idea of the functionality).
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9953/targa2kv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I, personally think a "glassback" would be worth a look (though to see with the concepts tint though):
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9562/glassbackth5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the glass roof is sweet.

ttops are sweet too, but their days are pretty much over.

we musn't forget, the main reason we had ttops to begin with was because GM decided in the 70's that convertibles were dead.

I, personally think a "glassback" would be worth a look (though to see with the concepts tint though):
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9562/glassbackth5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yes. Make it partially retractable and I would certainly pay for it.

the first pic with the t tops looks horrible. I think the main two reasons being too much roof behind the t top opening and a lack of a B pillar.

the targa pic looks pretty bad too unfortunately. Again due to the lack of a B pillar. It looks the the roof and going to break off or something.

I like the glass roof idea although I don't think it fits the image of the car. I definately want to roof to be open somehow and a glass roof seems like it may be the best option imo.

The black ss pic looks real nice except the tail pipes and I definately want headlights similar to that or retractable rs style lights

Who ever said that there wasn't a B-pillar? There could be one behind the side glass. I had thought that for a while and then saw a picture of the new Charger with a hidden B-pillar on another thread the other day. I would EXPECT it to have that pillar.

That said, I am still not sure if it would pass crash standards with t-tops but, man, I would love it if the new Camaro had them! :D

:confused: i guess im the only one that thinks t-tops looks terrible on all cars? i searched for a good while to find a 4th gen WITHOUT t-tops.. my dad owned a grand national with t-tops when i was 16... they came out once or twice.. but mostly they were just another rattle, and made the car way too hot without the shades, thus defeating the whole being able to look up and see the sky when theyre on... they just look tacky to me

:mad: :mad: :mad:

No! T-tops are awesome! :D

I am curious to see how they would turn out in terms of rigidity and quality with the new quality and structural advancements.

Can they even do a targa top on on the 5th gen.
I would like it even more than the t tops.

I'd love to see t-tops but believe that will take away from the roof lines. So, my next fav option would be to have a targa top. But, with the looks of that PS up there and the targa (this is the first and only time I'd say it), you'd need a b pillar to make it look right and prolly work right. My last option would be to have a hard top vert.

Get rid of the leaky T-tops, I prefer more headroom, more security, more crash protection, more rigidity, less heat inside, no more suntanned forehead, less of a chore cleaning and detailing, less cost and less weight in the highest point of the car to lower the center of gravity and improve the handling.

the 1st gen. on which the styling is based never had t-tops anyway, it looks weird with them. Without a B-pillar, it looks like someone just cut the top in his garage (like some people have done with Mustangs).

Get rid of the leaky T-tops, I prefer more headroom, more security, more crash protection, more rigidity, less heat inside, no more suntanned forehead, less of a chore cleaning and detailing, less cost and less weight in the highest point of the car to lower the center of gravity and improve the handling.

the 1st gen. on which the styling is based never had t-tops anyway, it looks weird with them. Without a B-pillar, it looks like someone just cut the top in his garage (like some people have done with Mustangs).

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545430

I would be thrilled with a targa or t-tops! Any one know which is more feasible (ie, inexpensive) for GM integrating into the vehicle?

GIVE IT T-TOPS THATS AWESOME WITH T-TOPS!!!!!!!!!!:drool:

Red Z/28 with black stripes and T-Tops. I'm sold :D

I don't like TTops. They did offer more headroom, but when you hit a bump. OUCH!
The storage was the biggest issue with them. If you were carrying any luggage where did they go?
Also I don't think any of the modern non hatchback cars are set up for them.
I took the TTOps off of my '85 IROC maybe 6 times. Froze my head off each time(i'm tall). They took out much needed structural rigidity, leaked and were pretty expensive.
When I special ordered my '87 IROC there I specifically didn't order them and the body structure was still loose after about 6000 miles.

i highly doubt the availability of t tops... i think its more of a structural issue. A rigid structure resultd in an overall rigid platfrom, less vibration less harshness when hitting bumps... if they have to compensate for the roof not being there the damn things gonna be even heavier than it already is. So i dont forsee a T top... tho i love mine in my T/A

Deebo

I took the TTOps off of my '85 IROC maybe 6 times. Froze my head off each time(i'm tall). They took out much needed structural rigidity, leaked and were pretty expensive.
When I special ordered my '87 IROC there I specifically didn't order them and the body structure was still loose after about 6000 miles.

I was there at GM's Milford proving grounds in the early 90's when the fourth-gen first came out, and saw the actual data that showed T-tops in 3rd-gen and 4th-gen didn't adversely affect torsional rigidity that much over hardtops. It was nearly unmeasureable even with strain gages on the body. The car bodies still twisted, no matter if you had a hard-top, T-tops in, or T-tops out.

As for my car, the tops come out every time I start the engine, except when it's raining or when I'm racing.

If there is any way possible to do T-tops on a 5th gen you can be sure I'll have a guide on how to do it. :D

Been confirmed for months, solid roof or moonroof. The solid roof will have the inverted contours of the concept, and mooroof models will have a traditional flat roof.

With curtain airbags T-tops are impossible. You can do your own chop job if you want, but good luck getting your DIC to quit flashing "check air bags".

I hated the T-tops on my 3rd. gen, I hate them on my 4th. gen and I would hate them on my 5th. gen. Besides it looks weird because the original '69 on which it is based never had them, it looks like an afterthought.

:cry:I will be very disapointed if they dont have a t top or a targa option, If not I think I might just look into getting a used C6.

:cry:I will be very disapointed if they dont have a t top or a targa option, If not I think I might just look into getting a used C6.

better start looking then

The fifth-Gen is a redo from the 1st gen. The 1st gen didn't have T-tops. Wait until 2015.

The fifth-Gen is a redo from the 1st gen. The 1st gen didn't have T-tops. Wait until 2015.

Lol, I can barley wait til next year. I still love the new Camaro without t-tops but it is disapointing especially since the vert isnt supposed to come out until 2010. Im not sure what ill do yet, I guess ill judt have to see one in person before I decide.

How about a removable hard top, ala Vette?

I'm for any T-Top or Targa top, but not the lame sunroof, just doesn't work right on a car like this. The first two pictures are really nice.

It was expressed alot to GM that a removable roof was wanted and I think they were for it, but something made them eventually go against it. Most likely design or structure issues. Maybe we'll get them down the road somewhere.

Maybe structural rigidity would be too weak. *snicker*

everyone knows t-tops are just for letting mullets breathe.

So if there is a B pillar then there is a possibility we could see the Camaro with T-tops or a Targa or whatever? But if there is no B pillar than neither of those are possible is that correct?