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.[1] It was first used in a 1948 prototype by The American Sportscar Company or “Tasco.”[2]
The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette coupe was the first U.S.-built production automobile to feature a T-top roof.[3] 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.[citation needed] Post-C3 models were built with a targa top instead of a T-top.
Examples of traditional T-Top
- Buick Regal (1978-1987)
- Chevrolet Corvette (1968–1982)
- Chevrolet Camaro (1978–2002)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- Chrysler Cordoba
- Datsun 280ZX
- Dodge Daytona
- Dodge Magnum
- Dodge Mirada
- Ford Mustang (second and third generation)
- Ford Thunderbird (seventh generation)
- Mercury Capri
- Nissan NX
- Nissan 300ZX
- Nissan EXA
- Nissan URGE (concept)
- Pontiac Fiero
- Pontiac Firebird, incl. Trans Am (1976–2002)
Pontiac Formula 350
- Pontiac Grand Prix
- Rover 200 Coupe (1992-1999)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
- 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
See also
References
- ^ "Vehicle top construction".
- ^ "Gordon Buehrig 1904–1990". Coachbuilt. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ Muscle Car Club: Chevrolet Corvette - History, Third Generation, 1968–1982 Archived 2007-12-18 at the Wayback Machine.
This page was last edited on 5 March 2024, at 00:31