C5 Clear top

[8kgold69]

Are all clear tops from 1984 to current of glass or lexan? I know in 1984 is when the one piece targa started. The reason for my interest is very body advertises their tops as "glass" top. However, I don't remember seeing a "glass" top. I believe all tops are made of lexan plastic. Reasons: 1) Weight. If the targa top, being a large panel, was constructed of glass it would be to heavy for one person to lift on and off the car. 2) Safety. If you were in an accident, glass would shatter, where lexan would crack. 3) Weight. Again weight would play another roll. Because the glass top would be heavier than the lexan top this would add extra weight. EPA requires all cars to obtain certain fuel mileage requirements based on size, lenght, etc... The lexan top is one way to keep the pounds off. Some please let me know about the material of these tops. Glass or Lexan?

Thanks
8kgold69

 

[Patrick]

I may not be the most knowledgeable source in answering this question, as my C5 is a Z06 (fixed roof coupe). On my old '91 Coupe, the "clear" top was glass (hence, the weight.) C4s used glass, which made them rather squeaky when you drove down the road- glass doesn't flex and bend the way fiberglass does.

I believe since the C5's came out, the clear tops were made of Lexan. If I got that wrong, some of you Coupe owners, please correct me.


-Patrick

 

[DRTH VTR]

I may not be the most knowledgeable source in answering this question, as my C5 is a Z06 (fixed roof coupe). On my old '91 Coupe, the "clear" top was glass (hence, the weight.) C4s used glass, which made them rather squeaky when you drove down the road- glass doesn't flex and bend the way fiberglass does.

I believe since the C5's came out, the clear tops were made of Lexan. If I got that wrong, some of you Coupe owners, please correct me.


-Patrick

My '97 had some kind of plastic on the top. I don't know if it was lexan or something else. It was NOT glass.

 

[8kgold69]

I made some phone calls today and found out a little history on Corvette tops from 1984 to current. According to 2 large companies that produce tops for Corvette, there was never a "glass" top made for the C4 and C5 years. In 1984 when the Corvette went to the one piece targa top design the tops were constructed of a material called acrylic. Then in 1992 a company named LEXAMAR started manufacturing the tops for Corvette. The material was called LEXAN. To this day all clear Corvette tops are made of LEXAN which is a form of plexiglass. On a C5 top, on the inside, passenger rear corner there is a stamping in the top that reads LEXAMAR CORP. Glass was never used to make a clear top for the C4 - C6 Corvette.

 

[6 Shooter]

Yep C4's were Lexan, my 96 had started the dreaded corner cracking before I sold it!