Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/automotive-styling-features

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

T-top

Automobile roof with removable panels

T-top

Automobile roof with removable panels

Note

the automotive T-Top

Corvette Stingray
C3 Corvette with body-colored T{{nbh}}top roof panels

A T-top (UK: T-bar) is an automobile roof with a removable panel on each side of a rigid bar running from the center of one structural bar between pillars to the center of the next structural bar. The panels of a traditional T-top are usually made of auto grade safety glass (tempered or laminated), or acrylic – but they can also be black or body-colored and made of other (often light-weight) materials.

The removable panel roof was patented by Gordon Buehrig on June 5, 1951. It was first used in a 1948 prototype by The American Sportscar Company or “Tasco.”

The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette coupe was the first U.S.-built production automobile to feature a T-top roof. This increased the popularity of the coupe, such that it outsold the convertible and later led to the discontinuation of the Corvette convertible after 1975 until it was revived in 1986. Post-C3 models were built with a targa top instead of a T-top.

Examples of traditional T-Top

  • Buick Regal (1976–1987)
  • Chevrolet Corvette (1968–1982)
  • Chevrolet Camaro (1978–2002)
  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1978–1988)
  • Chrysler Cordoba (1977–1982)
  • Datsun 280ZX (1980+)
  • Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volaré Coupe (1977+)
  • Dodge Charger (1977–1978)
  • Dodge Daytona/Chrysler Laser (1986–1989)
  • Dodge Magnum
  • Dodge Mirada (1980–1982)
  • Ford Mustang (1977–1978, 1981–1988)
  • Ford Thunderbird T-Roof Convertible (1978.5–1979)
  • GMC Hummer EV (2021-present)
  • Mercury Capri (1981–1986)
  • Nissan NX
  • Nissan 300ZX
  • Nissan EXA
  • Nissan URGE (concept)
  • Pontiac Fiero
  • Pontiac Firebird, incl. Trans Am (1976+) and Formula 350 (1989–92)
  • Pontiac Grand Prix (1977–1987)
  • Rover 200 Coupe (1992–1999)
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1976–1988)
  • Suzuki X-90
  • Subaru BRAT
  • Subaru Vivio
  • Toyota MR2 (AW11/SW20/SW21/SW22)

T-Top variations

  • Jeep Wranglers including 'JK' and 'JL' offer removable roof-panel designs that build upon the T-top construction concept
  • Suzuki Cappuccino - has an optional solid roof which can be converted into a T-top
  • Triumph Stag - has the underlying T-Top structure, but has a one piece, non-glass, roof panel which passes over the central front-to-back bar when in place

References

References

  1. "Vehicle top construction".
  2. "Gordon Buehrig 1904–1990". Coachbuilt.
  3. [http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-corvette/chevrolet-corvette-history-3.shtml Muscle Car Club: Chevrolet Corvette - History, Third Generation, 1968–1982] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-12-18 .)
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

automotive-styling-features
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about T-top — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report