HARDTOP - Silly question or is it ? MGF ? MX5 ? Any others?

[thewheelrestorer]

Hi All,

Hardtop.

Just asking has anyone offered a top from an MX5 or MGF or BMW Z3 ?? etc...to see if its anywhere near modifable ??

I know a very good fiberglass specialist does a lot of bodywork repairs with TVR & Lotus. just wondered if the design from another car may be close enough to get it to fit?

Any thoughts?

[ailwyn]

Why bother when there is a custom made one available

[paulwatkins]

Why bother when there is a custom made one available

Cost would be a good starter for 1!

Its likely the hardtop for a mass produced car like the mx5 is going to be significantly cheaper than the custom Elan one. Granted, theres likely to be some alteration work required. But has suggested if the fit is close and theres not much alteration work required it could be a cheaper alternative for people.

I suppose it depends how close a fit they are


......so, no, I dont think its a silly question

[ailwyn]

I'd be surprised if you could get one for less than about £1300, then you pay for the alterations, then you pay to have it (re)painted, total cost is likely to be £1500+

Don't forget that it's not just getting the fit right, you have to factor in changing the attachments as these for the Elan are not likely to be the same as the original hardtop.

But, if you did want to persue it, I believe that the MGF and MX5 (also the MR2) are narrower than the Elan (certainly my impression when I've sat in them), so you would probably be looking at S2000, BMW Z3/4, or SLK (unless you can think of any other car).

[Gazza]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hardtop-for-MGF-or- ... 638Q2em122

[thewheelrestorer]

thanks for your replies, it was just a thought as Paul mentioned the cost.

There are laways loads of Tops for sale on ebay for these vehicles MX5, MGF and I was just wondering if they were a million miles of being modifed in any way.

ailwyn mentions there is a custom made one available, where exaclty and who maked this ? and do you know the lead time ?yo get hold of one?

regards

[esprit888]

I decided to go the Corvette route in part because of the look I wanted and also due to the fact that in most areas it’s a reasonably close enough fit that a good glass guy can make it work. It’s the same width and profile up front but wider at the rear and the window slope needs to be towards the rear not the front. Because a section is being cut out I cannot save the rear glass which is a shame as I like the heated feature. All the seals can be re-used and the only area requiring creative thought is the front latch system, unless someone has a spare set to sell me that is ? The top sits high on the car in the pictures as it still has the steel vertical install supports on it and I did not want to damage the cover. It does not help the UK viewers but this one set me back $250 so far and I am toying with the idea of making it a targa as the Vette comes with this as standard on many later models which should be a simple (?) fit. However, as this will add another set of seals to leak maybe not !

IMGP2174-a.jpg

IMGP2162-a.jpg

IMGP2164-a.jpg

[Specky]

That looks very close to the Lotus version...(now that is rare)

Not a bad fit, all things considered

TTFN

[tweetdriver63]

Interesting, the Corvette thing. I had noticed a while back when hunting for potential replacements for the A-pillar seals, that certain corvette's windshield slope and A-pillars looked very very close to the Elan's. Hmmm...

[L.G.]

Corvette thing is interesting, I'd loved to see the finished pictures of that. Good find by the way...

L.G.

[esprit888]

Corvette thing is interesting, I'd loved to see the finished pictures of that. Good find by the way...

L.G.

Thanks, it took a while, i measured every HT i could find & tried five in all, Mazda MX5 early style and later style, BMW and two Vettes. Without question the later Vette is the closest fit and made like a typical American automobile (AKA thick as a brick Sh*# house) Its weighs almost twice the MX5 due in most part to the steel structure mounted inside it to connect it to the rear of the Vette. Even when this is removed it is a very solid piece and the difference in rigidity is significant given what I am trying to do. I have arranged to drop it off at the glass guys shop on Saturday however he is super busy and says it will be a couple of months before he can get to it, not that I am in a rush as I am taking the car off the road for the winter anyway until I can fix some more of her problems. Attached are a few more pictures of the test fitting and a shot of the latest Vette style hardtop. I am hoping to take pictures as the work progresses and will post if I can. My two decisions are whether to make it a targa and whether to mould it into the existing soft top cover for strength (also eliminates a seal and possible water intrusion) or to make it fit similar to the corvette with pins down through the cover, any thoughts ?

[esprit888]

Started marking up for cutting today, i love the way the top makes the car look so much wider, not sure how much has to be turned in to line up but i am hoping the look stays as it makes the car look so much better, IMHO. Guess i should move this to a project thread.

[Doug]

Looks like a lot of work!!

It looks close, but still it does not fit in any dimension: length, width of windsheild, curvature across front top, likely latches can't be correct yet, and you'll have to make the window shape fit too.

there's going to be a lot of cutting and pasting . . .

[esprit888]

No question Doug, its a ton of work, which is why i won't be the one doing it The guy i have builds AC cobras bodies and moulds for rare cars for a living so i am sure i have the right guy, just not sure about the right price yet It was the closest fit of any and the later vette hardtops have a double layer finished interior with cloth headliner, it also has a large foam filled aluminum roll hoop which should help with the rigidity during the cutting and pasting process. Its more of a long term project intended to end up looking the way i would like the car to be than a 'i need a hardtop for winter' deal so i doubt it will be done until sometime next year. I initially asked for interest on making a mould but had no takers so this will be a one off (1/4 the cost) and will be moulded into the cover and utilize the soft top latches.
Cheers

[tigerdog]

How did you get your Dachshund to lie still between the top and the car while you snapped the photo?

[ovi]

How does it ends?

[esprit888]

How does it ends?

It hasnt.....yet-see here:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=18215&p=238270#p238270