Since the coupe forums been slow & since no tinted targa is being offered, I wonder if a sunroof could be installed in the hard top targa?
Biggest problem I see is the targa looks to have a convex shape and sunroofs are generally flat.
1. If so, what would be the largest you could go?
2. Suggested used car, or sunroof from an aftermarket supplier?
TIA
Even most aftermarket "sunroof" suppliers will provide flat glass as it retracts easier. Plexiglass can be molded to fit various shapes (look at airplanes) so conceivably you could (with the right $100,000 press or heat mold) create your own 100% plexi duplicate of oem roof.
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This seems like the best pic from another thread showing it looks like installing a sunroof into the targa top is doable, or even cutting out a portion of the hard targa top itself to fashion it into a removable panel that you could possible store in the back.
Maybe the best of both worlds would be to install a sunroof, and still use the soft interior portion as a sun blocker.
This seems like the best pic from another thread showing it looks like installing a sunroof into the targa top is doable, or even cutting out a portion of the hard targa top itself to fashion it into a removable panel that you could possible store in the back.
Maybe the best of both worlds would be to install a sunroof, and still use the soft interior portion as a sun blocker.
That's exactly what I was thinking of after having sat in several of them at the MECCA II tour.
SD's exploded view of the top panel gives an idea how it's constructed too.
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Back in the 90's I had a Honda Del-Sol and many aftermarket parts were made for it. One I did consider buying after seeing at a show was the replacement targa top done in acrylic smoked glass. Given this top if very similar to the Del Sol top looks like a company will so be building them next year or so. If GM doesn't add it to the accessory list items first. Love the soft, stowable top; something Honda didn't think to do.
Just need to get inline and order my Coupe when they start taking orders.
So if you look at the exploded targa view, the part number 1, could be reproduced out of a tinted plexiglass and bonded back to all the original hardware.
So if you look at the exploded targa view, the part number 1, could be reproduced out of a tinted plexiglass and bonded back to all the original hardware.
That would probably be the easiest, quickest, and cheapest route to go. Just paint the underside of the plexiglass/lexan so you can't see the mount areas and it would be a pretty solid design. I believe that's the part that is mainly made of magnesium too.
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I just hope GMs doesn't use the the same techniqued they used on the Corvette that help establish the "flying roof club", after the top came unglued from the subtructure.
I just hope GMs doesn't use the the same techniqued they used on the Corvette that help establish the "flying roof club", after the top came unglued from the subtructure.
I agree, taking part no. 1 from the diagram and replacing it with a modified see-through glass construct would be the easiest way. They could dark tint the section that covers the roof internals and allow a lighter inside smoke finish on the part that appears from inside. This would appear to be same color finish from the outside view (appears to be an entire one smoke glass top) with the inside being lighter in color to allow for a nice outside view.
GM must be looking at doing this as an accessory once they get over a certain coupe sales number. My guess would require between 30K-50K sales of coupes before GM would consider making it an option.
I think we're going to need an aftermarket company to come along with a clear replacement. The expected volume on this car must be low at this point. The plant is now down to 1 shift which already greatly limits kappa production, and only a fraction of that will be coupes. Add the bad economy on top of it, and the coupe is going to be pretty rare. I cannot see GM doing another roof with very low volumes in the near future. It would be nice, although, I wonder how hot the greenhouse affect would make the cabin?
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Isn't GM/Ford/Toyota more in the project managment business than car business anymore
Sub-contract out the production/assembly of a tinted top, then sell it at a profit. I'm assuming that's what their doing with the canvas targa top that you have to order from a GM dealer.
Maybe they could sub-contract it out to the same company that's doing the Corvette tinted top. GM doesn't have any unions or pensions to deal with, just warranty cost/issues, and even those are probably factored into the sub-contractor contract.
Isn't GM/Ford/Toyota more in the project managment business than car business anymore
Sub-contract out the production/assembly of a tinted top, then sell it at a profit. I'm assuming that's what their doing with the canvas targa top that you have to order from a GM dealer.
Maybe they could sub-contract it out to the same company that's doing the Corvette tinted top. GM doesn't have any unions or pensions to deal with, just warranty cost/issues, and even those are probably factored into the sub-contractor contract.
Problem is they're not good at keeping costs down. They'd probably end up spending $20 million designing a part that would be an option for a car that will sell less than 10k units per year. GM sold a whopping 330 Solstices in Oct, that's it 330... To date so far they've sold an entire 10k Solstices this year. It's seriously not in GM's best interest to try doing any new projects Solstice related at this point, which I don't expect them to.
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One thing for everyone to consider, if the bailout does not happen, we will not see the Solstice coupe or even the convertible anymore.
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As a former corvette owner with a clear roof panel, I wouldn't want one again, the only good use I saw for that roof was in the winter, it did make the car warmer on a sunny day.
I don't care that much for sunroofs,because I don't like to drive with my ass in a puddel.
Even the targa roofs leak, that is one reason I now own a Zo6 with a fixed roof.
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& since no tinted targa is being offered, I wonder if a sunroof could be installed in the hard top targa? 
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