Targa Top

New Corvette owner here...I recently purchased a 1995 and I have been reading on the "ole" internet about the targa top and removing it. There are a lot of negatives about driving with it removed because it is considered a structural part of the car. Can any of you vette veterans give me some "hands on" advice on what I can and can't (or shouldn't) do? Weather getting nice in Central New York and I would like to remove the top.

There's a reason the targa tops are bolted on, instead of clamped....they do add to the structure stability. That being said, MANY folks drive with the tops off all the time. It might increase the likelyhood of things getting out of alignment, as far as taking the top off/re-installing it, but...in the long run, the cars were designed as targas from the git-go...the chassis structure is supposed to be stout enough to handle going topless, but...adding the "X" brace from the convertibles is a good way to stiffen up the structure, and add a little piece of mind, if you're really worried about it.
I personally never take the targa off my '85...I think it's been off maybe twice since I bought it in '98. Just a personal thing for me...I'm lazy, for one, and I believe keeping it bolted on helps with keeping the water out, by not damaging the weatherstrips. The car will still creak and moan when driving over inclines, such as in my driveway, so the added stiffness of the top is comforting.
If you want to go topless, by all mean take it off and enjoy.

I take mine off and keep it out now that the weather's good.  It doesn't see rain though it's a nice weather only driver.

Thank you all very much for the responses...I have already ordered a rear window hatch vent bracket to help reduce cockpit turbulance with the targa removed...so guess its coming off. (course its going to wait a few days as its only 49 degrees outside and staying in the 40's for the next few days)! 

I wouldnt want to do a lot of Autocross racing without the top on, but for your everyday driving tops off is a great way to go. Run mine both ways, depending on the time of year and the temps outside, nothing beats the wind in your hair and the sun on your face for a great time of corvette cruisin.

Carl, how long have you lived in Rome?

If you're not going to "drive it like you stole it" you'll be fine...I have an '88 with 24,000 actual miles on it and never had an issue with it...but mine is a bit babyed......btw you'll love the hatch extender....really makes a big difference in the amount of cockpit turbulance.

Some people say the car feels too loose, others don't. In my case I hear a few squeaks now and then but the car rides and handles about the same either way.
As mentioned above, there are fixes if it shakes too much for you, like using the brace from a convertible, or a brace that looks like a t-top bar that bolts in it's place.
Either way, it's just more fun to drive with the top off.

|UPDATED|3/25/2012 9:46:30 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I take the targa off every other weekend or so, but I don't leave it off for long and I try to keep the weatherstriping moisturized with some "Armor-All" or "WD-40 wiped on with a cloth..it doesn't take long for the sun to do it's dirty work.