Such a thing

[Mike Baskette]

I have a question. Why are the removeable roof panels on the early coupes called T Tops? I have looked in my reference books and I can't find any factory statements calling them T Tops. What is shaped like a T on the car? or the roof? What am I missing? Please enlighten me.

 

[KOPBET]

T = targa

targa: A removable-roof body style popularized by Porsche that is similar to a convertible except that it incorporates a fixed, roll-bar-like structure running from side to side behind the front seats.

targa bar: A type of roll bar made of a relatively wide band of sheet steel rather than of tubing; made popular by the Porsche 911 Targa

targa top: A rigid, removable roof section between the windshield and targa bar

 

[Fishman]

Just a guess, but... I think it has to do with the roof and windshield support bar (the chrome part) looking like a 'T'.

Good question, and if I'm right... lucky answer.


Wow... hit the reply button right when KOPBET did... can I change my answer? :L

 

[Mike Baskette]

Ahhhh....well that answers one part. Did the factory ever refer to the car as a targa and if they did, then why do people refer to them as coupes?

 

[SG4206]

I believe you have the same quandry with roadster and convertible.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Just a guess, but... I think it has to do with the roof and windshield support bar (the chrome part) looking like a 'T'.

Good question, and if I'm right... lucky answer.


Wow... hit the reply button right when KOPBET did... can I change my answer? :L

Your answer is the correct one, don't change it.

The 'targa' answer is incorrect as a targa roof is a one piece deal, like on a C4. BTW, Chevrolet is not allowed to use the term targa roof as this is property of Porsche.

 

[KOPBET]

Your answer is the correct one, don't change it.

The 'targa' answer is incorrect as a targa roof is a one piece deal, like on a C4. BTW, Chevrolet is not allowed to use the term targa roof as this is property of Porsche.

I didn't say Chevrolet called it Targa. It refers to the shape or style of the roof. The center bar was added due to body flex in the original design.

You had better let these guys know they are wrong also.

http://www.idavette.net/trivia.htm

http://www.ogscc.com/trivia/triv68_82.asp

http://www.carolina-corvettes.com/Mar02News/Mar02page5.html

http://www.suncoastcorvette.com/individual-vette-pages/1968_page.htm

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3000/glossary.html

http://www.magneticred.com/faq/c3.html


Cheers!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

So show me a car that does not have a center bar AND is called a T top. The one piece tops (like a C4) are all called Targa tops whether Porsche likes it or not.

I also enjoy how the majorty of links above have obviously copied each other's text verbatim.

 

[olouieo]

"T-top does not refer to the shape of the roof, but rather it is short for Targa Top. The original design was a pure Targa but body flex demanded the center bar, discovered late in the design."

 

[KOPBET]

So show me a car that does not have a center bar AND is called a T top. The one piece tops (like a C4) are all called Targa tops whether Porsche likes it or not.

I also enjoy how the majorty of links above have obviously copied each other's text verbatim.

Show me links to support your claim.

I've already shown mine.



Cheers.

 

[Nick in OKC]

I always assumed it was the shape of the upper support for the tops

However, I have nothing to support that. Anyway, I bought my car new and was very active in the Oklahoma City Corvette Club in the '70s. I do not recall anyone at that time referring to the tops as "targa" tops.

 

[titan81]

Ahhhh....well that answers one part. Did the factory ever refer to the car as a targa and if they did, then why do people refer to them as coupes?

The factory called c4s with removable tops targa(coupe w/ targa top)
the c3 simply used T-Tops, meaning targa top. Nothing to do with the middle
peice from winsheild to back . And yes the factory did call them targa and t-tops. Find a brochure or sales window sheet. they're on there

 

[Nick in OKC]

I have the original '71 sales brochure and a single sheet '71 flyer

Neither mentions "targa." They just refer to "roof panels" or "roof panel sections." I'm not arguing the origin of "T-top." I'm just saying Chevy didn't mention "targa" then, and no Corvette owner I knew in the '70s ever used that term.

 

[Mike Baskette]

Thank you Nick. So.....what have we learned today? There is nothing from the factory that indicates T-Top or Targa. It appears that someone started calling the removeable roof panels T-Tops when in reality such a term has been totally fabricated by the public. At least this is what I get out of these writings.

 

[chevyaddict]

Was corvette the first GM car that came out with these tops? if not then perhaps the name was generated with the first car who had them and then it just carried over to all other makes of cars..

 

[Nick in OKC]

I don't recall any other cars that had T-tops at that time

I think they were used on some other GM cars later.

 

[norms72]

Porsche started building 911 Targas in 1966 so we have probably just been calling any car with similar removeable roof(s) "targas or "t"tops ever since. Unofficailly, of course.

Just my $.02.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Neither mentions "targa." They just refer to "roof panels" or "roof panel sections." I'm not arguing the origin of "T-top." I'm just saying Chevy didn't mention "targa" then, and no Corvette owner I knew in the '70s ever used that term.

Exactly my point. The word 'targa' became associated with Corvettes only started when the C4s (with a one piece removable panel) came out.

We called any car with two removable tops (including the Firebirds, Camaros, Mustangs, Capris, Dusters, Volares and all the other cars from the 60's and 70's that had similar tops) "T tops" because of the bar in the center.

I think somebody invented the convenient association of 'targa' with 'T top' much later on and it has now become part of internet legend.

 

[Fishman]

Good point Vettehead Mikey. Although the 70's are a little clouded in my mind, I do remember always calling them t-tops, even with my 78 Trans Am. The term 'targa' never entered my vocabulary until the C4 came out.

I still wonder what the origin of 't-top' is though. Not sure we have enough evidence regarding the center bar yet. I'll try and do some research on the topic as well.

 

[Robin7TFour]

here' a styling exercise with a lift off top!