Want a convertible? Step in here........

[Bikerjulio]

I'm really hoping that the convertible is included in the initial production. If not, I'm going to have some serious thinking to do.

I'm given some encouragement by the fact that there are clearly 2 styles of test cars running around, differentiated by their different roof seams, and buttress shapes. If I'm correct then I'm expecting a Ferrari or McLaren style folding hardtop.

The "convertible" has a roof seam about 6" in front of the rear of the door, if my interpretation is correct. Other test cars have the seam almost lining up with the rear of the door. Interestingly, the car covers are also different on the 2 styles, with the "convertible" cover coming further forward and covering more of the B pillar. Consistent with the Ferrari style solution are fat buttresses on the "convertible" cars.

Additionally the convertibles have the exposed rearview camera nub whereas the coupes place the camera in the car behind the rear window. Presumably the camera will fold away and the mirror will revert to being conventional when the top is down.

[John]

Thanks for starting this thread! The last convertible we had was about fifty years ago. Since we have had 53 coupes/sedans/hatches/pickups in a row. We would very much like to get a 2020 HT convertible ME, but like you, if the HT version were delayed into production, that could be a deal breaker for us. Of course, we could wait a month, but if the HT convertible were to start production six months after the coupe, we would pass on it.

[Mark JD]

I would definitely want the retractable top or convertible! Like John says, an extra month or two wait would be okay, but for me, not a deal breaker.
I'll just get the fixed roof....... then as soon as the retractable comes out..... I will TRADE-IN!!!

It's only money!!

[powderbrake]

I'm looking to the convertible, or spyder, or what ever they call it. I don't care when it comes out, I will wait for it. As long as I can push a button, and have the top retract and stow away, I don't care if it's cloth or metal or fiberglass. I just want a ME Corvette convertible.

I have a C6 convertible now, and I love it. The only negative thing about it is the requirement that the parking brake be set to lower the top. I got caught in a situation where it was raining hard, I was between two trucks, and there was no shoulder to pull over and stop. Got a little wet, but with a newer car that allows top drop when moving, I'll be OK.

[Bikerjulio]

I was just thinking about the timing. If the assumption is that the earliest deliveries will be forth quarter 2019, then perhaps a 6 month further wait for a convertible in the second quarter 2020 isn't too intolerable. More than that would be a problem. I don't do too much driving with the Corvette in the winter here (Ontario, Canada).. Although earlier is still best.

[Mobius]

I'm also planning on getting the ME "Spyder" once it's available.

Given that there are apparently convertible test cars out-n-about, I'm optimistic that the hard-top convertible will go on sale at the same time as the coupe.

[John]

Let me call Mary Barrra and get your Spyder order build the first week of any ME production. I wish!

[ABorC]

Considering it's an ME, I'm skeptical that it would be a convertible and would more anticipate it being a spyder with removable "hatch" or some sort of tonneau, etc. IMHO if GM/Chevy spends a lot of time/money designing some elegant roof that electrically stores somewhere (eg bmw hard top convertible mechanism) it's only going to make the car more expensive and it's not really needed. I guess we'll see when we see

[Bikerjulio]

Considering it's an ME, I'm skeptical that it would be a convertible and would more anticipate it being a spyder with removable "hatch" or some sort of tonneau, etc. IMHO if GM/Chevy spends a lot of time/money designing some elegant roof that electrically stores somewhere (eg bmw hard top convertible mechanism) it's only going to make the car more expensive and it's not really needed. I guess we'll see when we see

Perhaps we are not clear about our terms. As far as I can tell a "Spyder" is just a Euro term for convertible, be it ragtop or hardtop. The video I posted shows a Ferrari ME hardtop convertible. It is not the only ME convertible. So why not Corvette?

A car with a removable roof section is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_top), a "Targa" which is not a convertible.

And as I also said it's pretty clear that there are hardtop convertible versions of the C8 running around.

[John]

And while not directly addressing this thread’s topic, for all “coupe wanters” who are reading here, it is expected that there will be a removable roof coupe as the C7 has, as some of the C6’s had.

[ABorC]

Perhaps we are not clear about our terms. As far as I can tell a "Spyder" is just a Euro term for convertible, be it ragtop or hardtop. The video I posted shows a Ferrari ME hardtop convertible. It is not the only ME convertible. So why not Corvette?

A car with a removable roof section is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_top), a "Targa" which is not a convertible.

And as I also said it's pretty clear that there are hardtop convertible versions of the C8 running around.

Bikerjulio - I purposely chose/used the terms that I posted, as my post was and is meant as a general response, not an attempt to contradict or redefine the terms that you used.

Throughout history, the term spyder can be and has been used to describe various roof and non- roof vehicles. I wasn't referring to your video, just speaking in general. That being said, when I used the term "spyder", I meant a roofless version, i.e. nothing retractable, possibly with a closure that is akin to a tonneau or snap in soft top. Additionally, i used "hatch" in general on purpose as there are many terms for a solid or canvas/cloth roof depending on manufacturer, type of car, historical period etc.

Regarding your last statement of 'it's pretty clear that there will be hard top versions of the C8", i understand that that is your and other's opinions, and it most probably will be, but none of us know for sure. But again, I wasn't challenging you on anything, my post was just a general observation.

Disregarding all of the parochial terminology back and forth, the main point of my post was that I hope that GM/Chevy doesn't spend time/money developing an elegant and complicated roof apparatus that will drive up the cost of the car.

Cheers.

[Bikerjulio]

As far as the cost of a hardtop spyder, I'm not agreeing that it should be super expensive. From an engineering perspective the examples out there don't look any more complicated than the current soft top mechanism. And it's not like they are inventing the wheel. There's an array of other manufacturers efforts to analyse. As an example, Mazda's MX5 hardtop convertible adds $7k CDN or about $5k USD to the price of the car. I don't like the final result which looks more like a targa, but just using as an example. Much prefer the Ferrari/McLaren approach.

[John]

Thanks for the video Bikerjulio. I agree that the new MX5 approach is not stylistically my favorite either. For those who are not aware, in the $5K U.S. price cost extra, Mazda’s HT includes some upgrades in its HT version (not found in its softtop convertible entry car).

I am thinking that we could see the 2020 Corvette’s HT convertible version costing around $6,000 more (US), than the coupe —but off course that is just a gut guess, not based on anything more.

[4U2ENV]

anyone seen this, there are two test mules their using

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2018/...would-it-work/

[Bikerjulio]

anyone seen this, there are two test mules their using

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2018/...would-it-work/

It's a copy of work that myself and others like FVS have posted extensively over the past couple of months on that "other" corvette forum.

[4U2ENV]

I hardly go to the "other" corvette forum. LOL

[Bikerjulio]

I just checked. I posted the Ferrari video on May 6th, with comments about the different roof seams, and how one style was consistent with the Ferrari style roof. I guess ripoff is the sincerest form of flattery.

[4U2ENV]

I have looked at the 488 Spider on YouTube, I think I did post it at the "other" corvette forum. I'm using the same username here as there. https://youtu.be/iqxIu1cyRfk