T-tops vs Targa Tops

[entropy454]

I was checking on something on the internet and came across the definition of t-tops. It said the T stands for targa. I didn't know that, so I dug a little deeper and it says that a targa top is basically a t-top that does not have the center support beam that goes between the two t-tops.

While reading on here about something, I read that the 68 vette is the only vette of the C3s at least, that doesnt have the support on its t-top.

So technically, the 68 is the only true t-top? (ie targa top)?
Could someone clarify this for me? Not really important, cause if it has what I think of as t-tops, its a t-top to me.

thanks

 

[LVMYVT76]

I believe the 68 also has the support, so it is not a t-top like the others??? THw newer corvettes have no support, so are they the only true t-top vette? My 76 has the support, so I guess I will stop calling then t-tops.

 

[entropy454]

I read somewhere and hopefully a 68 owner can help out, that the 68 does not have the support and in 69 they changed it.
If you dont have a brace between the two pieces of the top, its considered a targa top or t-top. So I think of the 68-72 at least, only the 68 is a true t-top.
Someone else have any idea?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Someone else have any idea?

My idea is that you should change your source(s) of information. All '68-'82 Corvette coupes have the bar linking the front to rear hoops of the birdcage.

Some people claim that the top of the windshield plus the brace form a T shape, hence the name.

 

[red70vette]

I agree with Mickey find another source of information. Better yet look at a 68 Coup. the middle support is obvious in any photo's you see. And besides that what is the difference whether it is a T Top or a Targa top? They are what they are just take them off and let the wind hit you in the face.

 

[petes74ttop]

T-Tops

You got me curious so I looked in the my original replica 1974 brochure, GM listed the coupe's as having "remove and store inside roof panels". I've either called a Vette a convertible or a T Top, most likely Vettehead Mikey is correct, when viewed with the tops off it looks like a "T". I call mine a T-Top.

 

[82ColEd]

Somehow i recall, that GM wanted to call them Targa Tops, but couldnt/cant because some little company in Germany has that as a license L Porsche) on that name. They've always been T-Tops to me. Whether as an abbreviation to Targa Tops or as in the T bar in the middle dont matter to me.


-Stefan

 

[entropy454]

I re-read the page I was reading and discovered I read it wrong. it says
"The center bar in the T-Tops was not part of the original design, however because of body twist it had to be added in production cars. "
Kind of interesting, the convertables must have something built in them to help with this problem.
http://members.aol.com/licoa/trivia.htm

My info on the targa top, whcih I had never heard of before, came from wikipedia.
Im with you guys, its a t-top to me no matter what. I just found the targa top thing interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_top

 

[Fast Freddie]

"T-top" is the 2 piece removable top panels commonly found on 1968 thru 1982 coupes. When these roof panels are removed, you will see the center support bar. "Targa Top" is the one piece removable roof panel commonly found on 1984 and up coupes. When this roof panel is removed, you will not see any center support bar. to me, T-Top and Targa Top are totally different and are not interchangable terms. also, im thinking there were aftermarket one piece roof panels for the 68-82 coupes, so i dont know what these would be considered.

I re-read the page I was reading and discovered I read it wrong. it says
"The center bar in the T-Tops was not part of the original design, however because of body twist it had to be added in production cars. "
Kind of interesting, the convertables must have something built in them to help with this problem.
http://members.aol.com/licoa/trivia.htm

My info on the targa top, whcih I had never heard of before, came from wikipedia.
Im with you guys, its a t-top to me no matter what. I just found the targa top thing interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_top

 

[stepho1975]

As was stated already, a Targa top is one piece, a t-top is two pieces.

My mother's 04 has a targa top (one piece), but they called it a removable roof on the invoice due to Porsche owning the trademark.

I like the look of the one piece roof. I think it looks better without the t-top bar, but its a lot easier to take off a two piece roof by yourself. Of course with a corvette its easy to get an attractive female to help remove the top.*

*The corvette's top, not the girl's.