I've been busy designing a hardtop for my La Bala. It's a 3 piece design with vertical rear glass behind the seats, a fixed rollbar center section and a removable targa section. The targa section will hinge or detach from the leading windscreen header edge (stowed under the bonnet) and uses a gas strut to assist lift when not being removed. It latches to the rollbar section at the rear edge. This hinged targa design will allow the driver to enter the car without requiring doors. I've made the design to fit on the existing no-door side panels or the new door side panels I already have made molds for.

This week I've created a foam and cardboard mockup. Once I get a basic shape I like I'll cover it in a layer of fiberglass matte and create the plugs.

I used photoshop to paint the foam and cardboard a uniform color. But I think the targa may be a lightweight fiberglass outer frame with tonneau cloth cover and the 2 pieces that bolt to the rear decklid will be similar lightweight tonneau canvas stretched over lightweight frames. The center rollbar section will be a more durable fiberglass construction with a real steel rollbar fitted inside that will bolt to the frame and this will replace the existing rollbar design.

Comments appreciated:

I do like that a lot!

I think if you followed the top curved edge of the window opening/side of the targa section down to the panel gap just forward of the aerocatch it could look good (if you understand what I mean). But overall it does look very good and compliments the shape of the car very well.

yeah that looks just right

Mmmmm, nice

I'm not sure the rear structures are wide enough, they look a bit of an afterthought at them moment to me. Though they would help with reducing blind spots...

The rest is great!

S

To my mind, and from that angle, that design fits the car perfectly.

Regards
Hugh

The roof sections are very well proportioned (IMO) and look very professional.

But, I'm sorry, I agree with Steve Hellfire above that the rear uprights are overly long, even the off side one that's shorter...

ATB - Great work as always!
Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett
The roof sections are very well proportioned (IMO) and look very professional.

But, I'm sorry, I agree with Steve Hellfire above that the rear uprights are overly long, even the off side one that's shorter...

ATB - Great work as always!
Steve

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very nice.

my 2 cents.
the uprights are bit too long IMO.
also check the angle of the rear side window - make it in line with the rear vent, that I assume is in lionewith the front bonnet (hood) gap - the pink lines.


now wirth added rear vents - just to break up the area
Rescued attachment loBala.JPG

By Jove I think you guys are right! Was there any doubt that asking for opinion here would result otherwise?

O2GF74 your edit shows the shorter sailpanels and I think that I will give that a go today.

I wonder if the vents along that area are correct for the principles of extraction from the engine bay? Or would they suck air in and compete against my side intakes...

Further updates by tonight then!

It's 7am and raining in Phoenix today btw.

Steve

May be an idea of help for the roofline you seek...

http://www.altblech.at/pages/gallery/maserati-merak-2-631.php

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Originally posted by cheapracer
May be an idea of help for the roofline you seek...

http://www.altblech.at/pages/gallery/maserati-merak-2-631.php

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Ooooo! Positively pornographic.
Beeeautiful.
If it was mine I'd clean it like this...

You may have missed my point Steve, I meant the way Massa did the 2 rails from the roof back to make it look like its part of the roof when its actually not kinda thing. Very clever design I thought.

I love your idea! It compliments your car so well. I not really feeling the Maserati style, no offense guys.heres my input:
Rescued attachment La-Bala-Hardtop-Proto-3 copy.jpg

Made some changes today based on suggestions. Then I just used photoshop to clean/clone the cardboard and foam again, but that's the actual shape on the car.



I uploaded a video to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQxveGQYnuw

Gawkes I like the idea of a small spoiler across the back and may test one out later. Depends on the aero really as I am currently getting 45mpg topless, should improve drastically with the top, then fiddle with spoilers at a later date. I'll also look into making the decklid vented.

quote:

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Originally posted by Gakes
I love your idea! It compliments your car so well. I not really feeling the Maserati style, no offense guys.heres my input:

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From your initial picture, my first reaction was to shorten it. I'm glad that I wasn't alone.

You'll eventually need to add a more distinctive lip on the rear deck as I'm sure the roof has added some rear lift.

[Edited on 24/5/09 by akrallysport]

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Originally posted by sgraber


Depends on the aero really as I am currently getting 45mpg topless,.

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It looks already really good.

I have some questions however.

The first try was definitly too long but the second trashes a nice curve. Is there a way to get something in between?

The other question would be: How does it look from the back? A nice sideline and a bad view from the back would be pitiful.

Geoff

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Originally posted by geoffreyh

I have some questions however.

The first try was definitly too long but the second trashes a nice curve. Is there a way to get something in between?

The other question would be: How does it look from the back? A nice sideline and a bad view from the back would be pitiful.

Geoff

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Steve first of all I like the La Bala very much. Here is a rendering of the roof line if the La Bala stood in my garage
Rescued attachment roofline.JPG

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Originally posted by dr-fastlane
Steve first of all I like the La Bala very much. Here is a rendering of the roof line if the La Bala stood in my garage

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I've made a bit of progress today. I lengthened the side panels and did play around with the window treatment as was suggested, but the new rollbar configuration places it up next to the leading edge of the opening, it's just not ideal to reverse the line of the opening. I also prefer to continue the upper curve of the roof line as shown by the blue tape.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhnm5NXCHE

Here is my (late) 2 cents.

A quick sketch. I've made the roof more related to the shut lines you already have on the car, to make it blend in more. Also moved the 'bulge' of the roof a little closer to the windshield so it looks more dynamic.

And while I was at it, quickly changed some of the graphics and the color, just because I can ;-) Adding some graphics to rear of the sill instead of the front helps to pull the eye to the back, were the design is more interesting (in my humble opinion).


Description

Now thats shweet!

Nice work Garbrand, good eye

Yeah, that's a WOW from me too. I'll be looking closely at how to get those lines working on the real thing now.

I should have left the car orange....

Glad you like it.

Here is another one, it is drawn over the roof line from one of the first pictures, so your head should fit in

Just tweaked the existing curve a little, the 'intake' in the rear pillar will be a little tricky to make but looks worth it in my opinion.


Description

I've made a bit of progress on the hard top (and the doors, and the windshield wipers, and the longitudinal 4.2L Audi v8 engine design, and the independent rear suspension, and... yes lots of other things) but this is a hard top thread so if you don't mind viewing a Youtube video and providing comments please! Please note that the scoops and other design elements are yet to be added, but they will, they will... once I get the overall shape to my liking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYSr2V-SDI

Thanks!

Graber

Love the lines on the orange version, as stated a good eye.

I have to say this a great looking car. Any plans for a La Bala to be built in the UK or is somebody already building one?

Hi Steve

sorry for the slight hijack but I've been following the Bala for a few years and am really impressed with the end result.

Did I read right that your are looking at an Audi 4.2 la Bala? I've been wondering for a little while if the Bala would take the Audi v8 because I'd love to build a mid-engined v8 sportscar, but would prefer to start with a proven design as I don't think I'm experienced enough to scratchbuild like the guys in here.

I've been having a look through your forum but hadn't seen much talk of the Audi v8.

Cheers
Dan

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Originally posted by DanP
Hi Steve

sorry for the slight hijack but I've been following the Bala for a few years and am really impressed with the end result.

Did I read right that your are looking at an Audi 4.2 la Bala? I've been wondering for a little while if the Bala would take the Audi v8 because I'd love to build a mid-engined v8 sportscar, but would prefer to start with a proven design as I don't think I'm experienced enough to scratchbuild like the guys in here.

I've been having a look through your forum but hadn't seen much talk of the Audi v8.

Cheers
Dan

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Hubba Hubba Steve! No wonder you've been too busy to post much lately. This deserves a thread of it's own?

Cheers

Fred W B

[Edited on 6/9/09 by Fred W B]