the Le Mans hardtop

[wireflight]

I kinda like the Le Mans top, but I'd like it better if it had a smaller blind spot. I'm thinking along the lines of a wraparound rear window like in the 1964-1966 Barracuda or the C4/C5/C6 Corvette. Heck, even a rear window like the "blanket" shape used in the C2 Corvette (not a hatchback) would be nice.

Any way you go, it means adding weight above the CG; it might not hurt much on a dragstrip, but around the twisties at a competition, there would be a slight performance penalty. On the other hand, it (or current versions of the "Le Mans" top) would perhaps improve top speed and maybe even fuel economy. Fuel economy -- LMAO! I'm sorry: I just realized how that sounded!

Historically, I've been a hard-roof guy (better torsional rigidity and something to keep my noggin from getting skinned -- not to mention helping keep the sun and bird doody off me). On the other hand, the older I get, the more I like the idea of a breezer. Maybe I'm getting senile, or maybe I'm just tired of fighting the go-slow laws: if I can't enjoy a speedy ride, maybe I can attract attention as the sun bleaches my remaining hair and blisters the parts the air doesn't cover.