There seems to be a reasonable amount of interest in hardtops especially with british weather.

I’m looking at making a set of moulds to produce a hard top, which should hopefully fit a range of narrow bodied cars, I’m currently still at the stage of playing in the wind tunnel with scale models to see if I can lower the drag and see if it can improve the handling, I’ve still got all the stress analysis and initial testing left to do.
A few questions to keep me on track
Weight vs. comfort?
Perspex or glass rear screen, Lined roof, reading light,
what would you be looking for?
Do people just want the shape to finish themselves?
Roughly how much would people be willing to pay?
Thanks
Laurence

You want at lest one model as a basic build to your own spec model so people can make it as racey or comfortable as they like.

A complete model depends on what market/demarnds there are. You would probably need sveral different models to suit all demands.

Would there be the option for a intergal fully aproved full roll cage? would be usefull for racing.

Another thing to bear in mind is height of driver/passanger.

A guy on the Robinhood site has made one for his car and although not finished, i think it looks spot on !!

What dya reckon ?
Rescued attachment post-10-1108424579.jpg

heres one i made earlier....






Tom

Well. theyre not working, but theyre in my archive under CAD then hardtop 1 and 2

[Edited on 9/3/05 by tom_loughlin]

How about this....
Rescued attachment seven19.jpeg

heres the one westfiled tried
Rescued attachment hardtop.jpg

wonder why it didn't sell ??

I would be interested. I guess I'd pay between £80-120 for a basic fibreglass moulding that I could trim myself.

I love the alloy one. Make the 7 look like a lakes style coupe rod.

Fred WB

The alloy one makes the seven look cool. the black one isn't bad but what were westfield thinking?

Surely if u left it on youd have trouble getting in and out?? Or am i just being a tit?

You want some running boards on it as well, you'd look like the Anthill Mob coming into town

i really dislike the westfield version, what are they doing with the windows and the plastic underneath, The robin hood version looks nicely finnished, Was it just built as a one off?

Dead right , it is a bit awkward getting in and out with a hardtop fitted.
Especially if you are 5'-9" tall and weigh 14 stone like me.
It takes a bit of pratice but once you are in its O/K with loads of room.
As for the original question I think the lighter the better.
To bring the costs down offer them untrimmed.
I think £80 -£120 sounds fair.
What about doors ?
Gullwing or hinged from the screen pillars.

(See photos in my photo archive)

[Edited on 10/3/05 by lukefab]

How about making the hard top a targa top, just remove the roof when you get in/out.

mangrooveworkshop

What is that curved screen that fits the narrow 7 scuttle? I want one of them!

Does that one have the option of gull wing doors?

I like this one:




(new Donkervoort)

The Donkevoort looks great, but I can't see how you could possibly get in or out of it.

There appear to be hinges on the rear edge which would suggest it all hinges backwards

EDIT It actually seems I am wrongLooking again it seems to be partway through the build and is therefore absent of finer things such as door design.

[Edited on 11/3/05 by chunkielad]

on the donkervoort website it doesn't give any clues http://www.donkervoort.nl/ I do love the curved windscreen shape though and some of the features are stunning

Another Donkervoort...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Liam
Rescued attachment donkervoort.jpg

wow

I dont think you need to worry too much about drag and downforce with the hardtop. They are most useful in bad weather when the right foot should be used a bit wiser. Room for elbows would be nice. Built in windscreen and wiper motor useful (or at least provision for such so that it can be finished as a kit). Could the firbreglass structure be minimalist then use press studded (eg) large doors to cover the gaps. Maybe call it a hardish/softishtop

What about just developing a soft top that removes and stores into a small space but easily fitted. I guess if you get caught out in bad weather being able to keep off the worse with a 'getyouhome' temp hood would be better than getting drowned. Something like one of those gazebo thingys with the folding aluminium frame that fit into a small bag. dont know how to stop it turning inside out and resembling a drag car parachuteover 40mph tho'!!!

brainstorm some ideas - maybe potential to blend a few well proven ideas into a new better one.

Id say removable hardtop, like Mazda and beemer do (and most production sports cars.
How about having it fold behind the head backwars or gul wing fashion.

Id also say just a shell. Id want to do my own thing to match the intereria. As for reading lights Id want it plugged if they have to be there so it could be removable. Spoils the summer fun!

Speaking of Down force, i think that donkervoort could do with some more. Looks like all the wheels are of the ground

Yep, the Donkey is doing its record run on the Ring. Faster than any other production car (although one could arguee about the spoilers; they're not really a factory standard....). But still; nice going for a Seven!

HI,

anyone got a picture of that new Donkervoort roof from the front?

the silver one Mave posted.. if anyone one has one they could post on here.. would be much appreciated

DarrenW,

try a search on the 'flinstones hood' surrey dave is the man

Ned.