Anyone see the new Opel ? It looks like it has a power folding hard top and the deck lid opens just like the Solstice. I know you think GM will want to save weight and cost with a manual soft top but look at the
Opel.

http://autoweek.com/specials/2004_geneva/

I understand the enthusiasm for this type of top, and the chevy SSR will also have a similar style top, but I just cannot foresee GM building the Solstice with this style top AND still keep it under $20000.

From what i've read those tops cost between $4000-6000 above and beyond the cost of the vehicle. I would be surprised if the Solstice sports a hard top and also cringe slightly since this might bump up the price.

Wait until the fall (2004) for more details on the Solstice (and it's top), the dealerships will get info eventually and the press will get the car to test + feature in magazines (during 2005).

I can't wait for the EXACT details to come out too, the top, the engine, power options, the colors, the interior options, there's so much to still be unveiled, patience.....must be patient! :bouncy:

Check these pics out. I got these from www.gminsidenews.com. I'm thinking the Solstice's top will function somewhat like the Vette's.
http://portfolio.iu.edu/mabsimmo/vette_top_up.jpg
http://portfolio.iu.edu/mabsimmo/vette_top_close1.jpg
http://portfolio.iu.edu/mabsimmo/vette_top_close2.jpg
http://portfolio.iu.edu/mabsimmo/vette_top_close3.jpg
http://portfolio.iu.edu/mabsimmo/vette_top_closed.jpg

I can handle that, looks good!!

Steve

I like the looks of the Corvette mechanism. Assuming the Solstice employs a similar arangement, I wonder how much usable space will be left in the trunk with the top down? Another concern is how easy it will be to get to the space. The C6 has two trunk openings, but the Solstice photos to date just show a single clamshell opening. It means you'd have to load/unload the trunk over the rear fenders.

-Stephen M

Check out this vw top. It has a sunroof and a folding hard top.http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/autoshows/article_690.shtml

While those pictures are very interesting (VW concept C) I can't help but think of little money signs when you consider all the engineering that would take.

The VW "crossfire" (concept C) is a great idea, and it looks great too for a crossfire knock-off, but the top would virtually eliminate trunk space which might be a problem and why exactly do you need a sunroof when you have a convertible hard top? :confused:

My guess is that the Solstice top will be like the convertible top Corvette pics above. It seems to be fairly conventional and has nice looks with the top up or down. Plus it wouldnt necessarily have to be powered, which would keep Solstice costs down.

I don't know if any one has seen this, but I found this concept picture of the the solstice with the top up.

I haven't seen that one... only the clay model with the top on.

I'm suprised no one has photoshopped it yet. Or.... photo-unchopped the top. Yeah, I came up with that one all by myself.

ASC has done some convertible conversions for GM in the past, they've done alot of hard top/convertible setups, very neat.

I went to the NY auto show, and took a bunch of pics. Nothing new really, if you want me to post I can. I did take one picture and photoshopped a top on it. I'm not a pro, but you can get a decent idea of how it will look.

I'd like to see all the pics ya got :)

Here ya go, I posted them in the pictures section http://solsticeforums.com/showthread.php?p=110282#post110282

I've got a Z4 with a manual roof, and it's extremely easy to put up or down. It takes me about 2 seconds, and I can do it easily from the driver's seat (I've often put it up or down at stop-lights). The way the rear deck-lid lifts up on the Solstice may make it a bit more difficult, but I wouldn't even think about paying the approx. $2000 (plus extra weight, plus something else to break) for the electric roof.