Do all 1997 Coupes have removable tops?

[Johnnykretentiv]

Hey all, my first post here.

I will be buying a C5 in the late winter /early spring next year. My wife has told me to go and buy one so I stop drooling everytime we pass on the tollway. We currently have a M**tang GT and she wants to keep that for herself. What a great woman! Anyway.....

I want a C5, probably a 97 - 99 it depends on what I can afford (looking at about 23K or less). Here is my question. I have read that all coupes since 1984 have had removable tops. Is this true?

 

[Gorgon]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Yes, all coupes have removable roofs. The C5 convertible was introduced in 1998 and then an FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) in 1999. The FRC does not have a removable roof (hence "fixed roof) and eventually became the Z06 in 2001. Good luck with your search!

- Leon

 

[Erik S. Klein]

Hey all, my first post here.

Welcome to the CAC!

I will be buying a C5 in the late winter /early spring next year.

Congratulations!

I want a C5, probably a 97 - 99 it depends on what I can afford (looking at about 23K or less). Here is my question. I have read that all coupes since 1984 have had removable tops. Is this true?

Actually all coupes since 1968 (with the exception of the aforementioned FRC/Z06) have removable tops. The C4 and C5 were targa tops which means that the roof panel is a one piece unit. The C3 was a T-top that came off in two pieces and left a bar along the midline of the car.

You shouldn't have much trouble finding a nice C5 in your price range. You could also consider a late C4 if you were partial to that body style.

Best of luck and enjoy the search!

 

[Patrick]

Hello, Johnny! Welcome to the C5 Forums at

As you've already mentioned from Erik & Gorgon, all C5 Coupes have removeable roof panels. If you are in the previously owned market, one other aspect to be aware of is that the removeable roof panel can be either a solid panel, or a glass top, depending on what the original owner ordered. In some cases, you may find one where the owner purchased both tops.

Jump right in if you have any other questions!


-Patrick

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Thanks All. I will most certainly keep everyone posted as I progress. I have an interesting year ahead of me. I can't wait!!!

How are the 97s interms of bugs? It usually is quite common for the 1st year of a new body style to have some bugs or reoccuring problems. From what I have read they seem to be pretty dependable. Anything to look out for?

Of course I will search the forum for more answers on my own.

Thanks again.

 

[Patrick]

How are the 97s interms of bugs? It usually is quite common for the 1st year of a new body style to have some bugs or reoccuring problems. From what I have read they seem to be pretty dependable. Anything to look out for?

Johnny,
That's certainly been the rule of thumb I've heard from lots of people looking to buy a new car- the first year of a new style is often the one to avoid.

In the case of '97s, I don't know how true that is. I simply don't have the anecdotal evidence from owners of '97s to know. You might try checking out the CAC's Knowledgebase for TSB's and Recalls specifically on '97s to see.

-Patrick

 

[MsSchroder]

Johnny,

Welcome to the CAC. I do believe I hear some determination in that statement "I will be buying a C5 in the late winter /early spring next year."
heh heh. Been there, know how you feel...

Good luck with your search. I don't recall any particular horror stories about 97's, but I would probably go with a 98 or later if possible, just for good measure.

Tammy

 

[medicine man]

Having the wife's blessing is good enough for me. That's exactly the blessing I had when we bought our 97 coupe. There have been a lot of negitive things said about 97's but from what I read on this forum not many of the problems target 97. In fact I have had zero problems with mine. I believe in maintaining the car according to the factory recomendations and maybe a little beyond that.
Good luck in finding your corvette coupe. may even fing one with both tops.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Yep, my wife is the best. I get a 'vette she gets a fully restored 60's Vespa. The Vespa is going to be harder to find than the vette.

My brother-in-law has worked at a Corvette speed shop in Minneapolis for 20 years so I am going to have to buy some beers and have a good long talk with him. He knows all about the skeletons in the Corvette's closet if there are any.

I told him that I will buy him a plane ticket to Arizona or Florida to help me look at some candidates when the times comes. He just smiled and said, "This is gonna be fun."

When I was 17 - 20 I used to work for this guy back home who was the local big shot. He had a patent on a few products and ended up doing really well for himself. I would cut the grass, clean the pool, and of course wash the Corvettes, Jags, Harleys, Cigarette Boats, and Airplanes. I also dated his daughter for a long time but that's another story. Ever since then I have loved 'vettes. He told me that if I went to college and got a degree I could get a 'vette too someday. Smart guy.

 

[napacruzerC5]

If I remember past threads, there was a slight design change on the top's latching system between the 97 and 98. If your 97 top is damaged in any way it may be difficult to replace since the newer tops won't fit.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

If I remember past threads, there was a slight design change on the top's latching system between the 97 and 98. If your 97 top is damaged in any way it may be difficult to replace since the newer tops won't fit.

Now that's the kind of info I need. Thanks

 

[napacruzerC5]

Now that's the kind of info I need. Thanks

The more I think about it it may have been between the '84 and '85 C4 tops that there was a design change and not between the '97 and '98 tops. Can anyone else help out on this?

 

[bossvette]

If I remember past threads, there was a slight design change on the top's latching system between the 97 and 98. If your 97 top is damaged in any way it may be difficult to replace since the newer tops won't fit.

I have a late 97 and I purchased a 2004 lexan top which fits perfectly, if you go to the Chevy dealer there is one part mumber for painted top and one for the lexan.

I don't have any problems with my daily driven 97, but I drive mine every day sometimes quite hard. There were less then 10,000 97s made so the 98 might be easier to find.

there are a lot of old wives tales about first year cars and that is just what they are Sure they make running changes but that happens with most cars anyway.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Thanks.
It looks like the 98s are much easier to find. I am going to put my attention toward a 98. You are not the first person to tell me that today. I think I will be getting both tops.

 

[6 Shooter]

Don't know if ya have found this info yet . . .

CAC's Corvette Model Center

CAC's 1997 Production and Performance

CAC's 1998 Production and Performance

I will be buying a C5 in the late winter /early spring next year.

Boy that's along time off . . .

BTW - Welcome to the

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[atmmac]

i have a 1997 and the only problem was the steering column. Good luck finding one.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Boy that's along time off . . .

And it is killing me already!!!!! I really doubt that I will be able to wait until late winter. But I would hope they are a little less expensive then. Right now, as I'm sure you know, the prices are at a premium.

I will use this time to start building a new garage in the back and make room for the Corvette.

Thx for the links.

 

[Inaband]

Dont let the first year C5 1997 scare you off, I dont think they have the oil burning or tranny seal leaking issues that the later C5's have....also my interior is still solid, and the leather is still as good as a newer one, but then again I'm biased towards my car......