I'd like some opinions on the safety and integrity of T-top cars versus the hardtop cars. I know T-top cars involve certain compromises. I've heard/read opinions that hardtops are significantly safer, in addition to this, I have seen or heard of a couple of T-top cars splitting in two (front/rear). One more question - Would sub frame connectors make this much less likely? Again, I'm just looking for some opinions. Thanks.

 

If you hit a tree the wrong way I don't think that being in a Hard top will be any safer than a T-top. These cars are okay in crashes, but nothing spectacular.

I do know that the Hard tops body is structurally stiffer than a T-top. I also know that SFC's can really improve these chassis. I'm not sure that SFC's will prevent your car from being torn in two during a crash though. I don't think I could work up the nerve to do that to a Third Gen even if I had the money to do something like that.

 

I have a t-top car with subframe conectors and you can really feel the car is more ridged with them. As far as safty I really don't think there is large difference unless it is a rollover. That is the only way I see a t-top as being measureabley more unsafe.

 

Well, the two cars that I was referring to were actually 2nd gens, and one hit a pole sideways at a high rate of speed, the other was hit in the rear quarter by a semi. I know bad things often happen in a catastrophic accident, and a recent conversation got me thinking about it. I thought about those cars and wondered if ours (being lighter) were even more prone to this. I guess sometimes I let my mind wander too far. Thanks for the input.

 

i hit somone hard in my iroc-z camaro and the t-tops did not even break/buckle... just the frame went it

but a rollover i would not want to be in a t-top car

subframes connectors help alot, i need to get mine from sophn soon..

 

This was a t-top IROC that the owner we bought the car from wrecked. He flew out the roof.....obviously not wearing his seat belt. It rolled and all kinds of crazy stuff. Yep he's still alive by ***'s grace.

 

another angle....he rear ended first....thats the quarter panel sticking way out there....

 

yet another gruesome angle....don't look if you have a weak stomach. This used to be the rear....

 

he was driving 140+ miles per hour and still lived. I believe by an miracle. Shows you how the cab portion still remained in pretty decent shape. If there was someone siting in the rear they would have been killed.

later,
bill

 

Thats quite gruesome but it looks like an accident that happened a few monthes ago here in RI some kid in a camaro was driving quite fast and hit a firetruck head on...The camaro was almost indistiguishable and the firetruck was totaled , the engine went back a few feet and the whole cab was destroyed but sadly the kid in the camaro didnt live he was only 18,19

 

Kinda recently around here a younger guy died up in the mountains (well he was from around here anyway) hit a semi head on and died. His car was pretty unreconizable I hear. Even Worse is that father was following about 4 - 5 miles back and since he is a doctor pulled over when he saw the wreck .....not expecting for it to be his son.....kinda sad...

 

Add a 12 point roll cage or a 8 point roll bar.
And toss in a 5 way harness.
Don't skimp on safety messures