So I just finished driving 1000 plus miles of the power tour in my 66 skylark convertible. The top switch went out so I couldn't put the top down so it was either windows up with ac on or windows down and back window unzipped and I swear it was actually louder with the top and windows up. The wind buffeting over the roof was unbearable.Unless we were doing just 45 or 50 on backroads. I was wearing ear plugs and even with that I couldn't take highway speeds for very long. Anybody else have any input here. This is the only drop top I've owned and I gotta say, for the amount of time I can actually cruise with the top down and enjoy it, I think I'd rather have a hard top.
My 65 and 71 are pretty loud with the top and windows up, but quieter than with the tops down......less wind noise but more vehicle noise. With the top up I can at least hold a conversation on my phone. The 72 is pretty quiet with the top up, but it's a totally different design. I'll keep the top down on all three all spring, summer and fall - i dont enjoy them much with the top up. And in the extreme sun and heat, I've really appreciated having a hardtop with A/C. Guess I'm getting old.
My 64 that i recently sold was far louder with the top up. I always attributed it to exhaust resonance coming from that big trunk. With the top down the noise coming out of the trunk area was blocked.
BiggestRed is a quiet cruiser any way you go down the road. I only have a slight wind noise at drivers side window w/top and windows up.
I have a 62 Nova Convert - It's fairly loud either way compared to the Nova sedan I used to have. The noises are different but probably as loud top up or down. Up, the exhaust noise is louder and there is some whistling with the windows up. Windows up and top up the air inside is very turbulent until the back window is unzipped. Top down, the exhaust is muffled by the folded top in the well. The air flow is less turbulent seems louder with the more open space and surrounding road noise. I think mine is the most quite with the top down and the windows up. ---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ---------- BTW - how was the Power Tour?? We did part of it in 99 driving my Nova. It was too hot to have the top down then LOL.
I know my '66 isn't a convertable, but I find with the 4-dr hardtop with all the windows down it's less noisy then with just the front windows down. I've also noticed if I push the vent windows out like a 1/4 of the way they seem to deflect the wind around the opening and it's a lot smoother/quiter. I'll open the kick panel vents and run the fan a bit (no A/C).
Makes sense...top up, nothing between trunk and interior but fabric bag...down, folded up top muffles resonance/road noise. Exhaust drone is common enough problem...can see how closed convertible could make it worse...making exhaust choice even more critical for those who actually drive their cars...
My Wildcat is somewhat louder with the top and windows up , but most of that noise is attributed to the road noise coming from the trunk and the well area. There is normally very little buffeting as a result of the wind going over the top at highway speeds. With the top down it quiets right down until the occasional straight piped Harley or import with the coffee can exhaust goes by ....
I agree with what dynaflow said about the well liner. Many well liners you buy now are just thin 1 layer vinyl. I think originals were much thicker and like a double layer. Nelson might know, he has an original top 72 GS.
My car is quiet with the top/windows up...thankfully. I can enjoy the radio with the A/C blasting on those hot summer afternoons. I have ported exhaust manifolds, 2.5-inch exhaust, a pair of 'drone-free' Dynomax VT mufflers, and no exhaust leaks (thank you again Al Yeager!).
Only loud when my foot is down but that's what you get with headers and 3" exhaust. Overdrive heads a bunch.
