Loz
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 posted on 9/3/05 at 07:16 PM |
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Hardtop?
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
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clbarclay
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 07:34 PM |
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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.
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 09:18 PM |
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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
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tom_loughlin
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 09:58 PM |
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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]
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mlgates
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 10:36 PM |
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How about this....
 
Rescued attachment seven19.jpeg
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macspeedy
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 11:07 PM |
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heres the one westfiled tried
 
Rescued attachment hardtop.jpg
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macspeedy
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| posted on 9/3/05 at 11:08 PM |
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wonder why it didn't sell ?? 
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JAG
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 10:56 AM |
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I would be interested. I guess I'd pay between £80-120 for a basic fibreglass moulding that I could trim myself.
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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Fred W B
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 11:06 AM |
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I love the alloy one. Make the 7 look like a lakes style coupe rod.
Fred WB
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smart51
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 12:03 PM |
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The alloy one makes the seven look cool. the black one isn't bad but what were westfield thinking?
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Danozeman
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 06:16 PM |
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Surely if u left it on youd have trouble getting in and out?? Or am i just being a tit?
Dan
Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk
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Peteff
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 06:57 PM |
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You want some running boards on it as well, you'd look like the Anthill Mob coming into town 
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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Loz
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 08:45 PM |
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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?
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lukefab
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 08:56 PM |
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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]
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clbarclay
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| posted on 10/3/05 at 08:59 PM |
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How about making the hard top a targa top, just remove the roof when you get in/out.
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 07:10 PM |
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smart51
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 07:45 PM |
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mangrooveworkshop
What is that curved screen that fits the narrow 7 scuttle? I want one of them!
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clbarclay
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 08:44 PM |
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Does that one have the option of gull wing doors?
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Mave
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 09:45 PM |
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I like this one:
(new Donkervoort)
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andyps
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 11:55 PM |
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The Donkevoort looks great, but I can't see how you could possibly get in or out of it.
Andy
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less
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chunkielad
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| posted on 11/3/05 at 11:57 PM |
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There appear to be hinges on the rear edge which would suggest it all hinges backwards
EDIT It actually seems I am wrong Looking 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]
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Loz
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| posted on 15/3/05 at 07:23 PM |
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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
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Liam
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| posted on 15/3/05 at 07:38 PM |
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Another Donkervoort...
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Liam
 
Rescued attachment donkervoort.jpg
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macspeedy
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| posted on 16/3/05 at 10:55 PM |
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wow
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DarrenW
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| posted on 22/3/05 at 05:02 PM |
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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.
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