Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[Kuching]

A Targa style roof probably would be cheaper to produce patterns for, but it also adds complexity. <br><br>To my mind, part of the problem with the convertible roof is that it is complex, with numerous joints and multi part seals, and the end result is - it leaks!<br><br>If I were to produce a hardtop that is also prone to leaking, not only will I have missed the point of the project, but I wouldn't gain many friends out there in LEC Land.<br><br>My philosophy is to keep it simple, reliable and don't create problems if I don't need to, even if that costs more to begin with. <br><br>The main reason that the pattern work is so expensive is because I am creating a fully moulded lining surface as well as the outer skin. This effectively doubles the tooling cost but will produce a much stronger, stiffer, better quality component that looks as good from the inside as it does outside. I think you will agree.

[Doug]

[smiley=bow.gif]

[Scott J]

[quote author=stevo link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=75#79 date=06/21/04 at 15:39:08]with holes in for a roll over bar? <br><br><br>holes for a roof rack - snow boards,  ;D mountain bikes,   ;D luggage racks for le mans   ;D - how practical.<br><br> [smiley=bananasex.gif]<br><br> [smiley=hyper2.gif]<br><br><br><br><br><br>project creep strikes again! [smiley=devil2.gif] [smiley=evilimu.gif][/quote]<br>

[Kuching]

I have now sent the hardtop design to have the patterns cut.  :) It should take 2-3 weeks before I see the results.<br><br>The cost of the finished component works out at £1450 based on a glass fibre layup, unpainted but with seals, fixing brackets and hard coated polycarbonate rear window.<br><br>I plan to make a lightweight carbon fibre version available and will have the cost for this in the next few days.

[stevo]

your a legend! ;D<br><br>well done mate, post pic's asap, i cant wait to see it!<br><br>cheers, stevo [smiley=cheers.gif]

[Doug]

£1450 = ouch  :o<br><br>still by far the best deal on an Elan hardtop tough  ;)<br><br>luckily the $100 I put in the bank for a hardtop eons ago has nearly appreciated to that amount now!<br><br>any chance you can have a BRG one done for me to pick up personally at Donington 2005??  ;D

[F1 LOTUS]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=75#83 date=06/24/04 at 14:59:10]I have now sent the hardtop design to have the patterns cut.  :) It should take 2-3 weeks before I see the results.<br><br>The cost of the finished component works out at £1450 based on a glass fibre layup, unpainted but with seals, fixing brackets and hard coated polycarbonate rear window.<br><br>I plan to make a lightweight carbon fibre version available and will have the cost for this in the next few days.[/quote]<br><br>Sounds reasonable to me, consider that a POS carbon Hood (Bonnet) from China cost around $500...<br>Is this cost fixed or dependent on quantity ordered?<br>

[Kuching]

[quote author=Brian_MDB link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=75#86 date=06/24/04 at 23:21:31]<br><br>Sounds reasonable to me, consider that a POS carbon Hood (Bonnet) from China cost around $500...<br>Is this cost fixed or dependent on quantity ordered?<br>[/quote]<br><br>The cost has been calculated according to the number of people who have shown an interest. If fewer orders materialise, I will stand by the figure given and take the risk of the investment myself. Furthermore, if the project fails completely due to development problems, I lose everything. <br><br>On the other hand, if the number exceeds expectations, I might have something to put towards the next project. Does that seem fair?

[F1 LOTUS]

More than somewhat ;D<br><br>Your design would replace the existing deck lid wouldn't it? If so there should be a fair weight saving if the ragtop assembly is completely removed, what do you think the carbon (PrePreg / foam core?) version could weigh?

[Kuching]

[quote author=Brian_MDB link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=75#88 date=06/25/04 at 00:04:15]More than somewhat ;D<br><br>Your design would replace the existing deck lid wouldn't it? If so there should be a fair weight saving if the ragtop assembly is completely removed, what do you think the carbon (PrePreg / foam core?) version could weigh?[/quote]<br>Here are the figures based on a layup of 4ply 2x2twill (CF0300) although 3 might be sufficient.<br><br>Outer Skin  (2.1688m^2)   2.951kg<br>Liner          (1.4160m^2)   1.903kg<br>Foam Core                        0.350kg<br>Polycarbonate Window     0.904kg<br>Brackets                            0.800kg<br>Seals                                0.462kg<br>Total                                 7.370kg<br><br>I have approximately weighed my convertible top at 17kg and 5.5kg for the deck/cover. This gives a weight saving of just over 15kg (33lb) which, coupled with a probable reduction in aerodynamic drag, should be quite noticeable on the track.<br><br>The glass fibre top is more difficult to calculate but I would estimate it to be 15kg.<br>

[F1 LOTUS]

33lb off the top of the car should be quite noticeable in reduced body roll and worth about 2HP too <br>

[Neil D.]

Simon,<br><br>I have finally taken some measurements to compare the SE to S 2 Elan.<br>The data is still on the portable which itslf for obvious reasons is not on the network.<br>I will transfer the data with flash memory tomorrow.<br><br>still here are some pics which will help interpret the results.<br>The dia of the measuring probe was 15 mm, not sure in the measurements are corrected for this as I did not set up a reference system ( lost your previous mail )<br><br><br><br>front cone<br><br><br><br>rear rivet<br><br><br><br><br><br>low quality to save space  ;)<br><br>Neil<br>

[Sy V]

Neil<br><br>Good work (good effort with the picture size too, thanks).<br>This is really getting technical...WTF is that thing you're using? Some sort of infra-red measuring jobby?

[stevo]

who is the sci-fi freak that tryed to build the stargate in the background. :-*

[Doug]

c'mon, Sy, remember way back on the thread when they were talking about one and 2 arm plotters . . .  ::)<br><br>wait a minute, Stevo, you mean you guys in Scotland don't use stargates for transport yet  

[Neil D.]

Sy queried:<br><br>"WTF is that thing you're using? Some sort of infra-red measuring jobby?"/[i]<br><br>almost, but not quite<br><br>http://www.romer.fr/<br><br><br>stevo wants to know<br>[i]"who is the sci-fi freak that tryed to build the stargate in the background. "<br><br>guilty...<br>more details about the transition radiation tracker can be found at:<br>http://atlas.ch/atlas_photos.html<br><br>One of the two experiments in the large hadron collider ( largest particle accelerator in the world ) Also were the web was born (CERN)<br><br>http://public.web.cern.ch/public/<br><br>Enough publicity, Now I need to get the data to Simon  :)<br><br>Neil<br><br>

[Sy V]

Doug harangued me with:<br><br>"...when they were talking about one and 2 arm plotters . . . "<br><br>Yes Doug but (probably because we use "plotters" in our line of work) I envisaged that these plotters would be drawing instruments...or are these kinda "softcopy" drawing devices?

[ESM]

Its a 3D measuring system innit - never heard them called plotters before (probably because I never actually used one) <br><br>BTW have you lost weight Sy? you look a bit peaky

[Neil D.]

<br>Simon C.<br><br>The values are at:<br>http://www.awsnet.co.uk/lec/images/elan.xls<br><br>These are basic, but I could re-measure, if we could agree on some precison points. The down side is our arm is 2500 mm ( radius ) so not much reach.<br><br>do not forget the probe dia I used was 15 mm I did not compensate.<br>keep me posted<br><br>have a good week end<br><br>Neil<br>

[Kuching]

Thanks Neil, <br><br>I should get chance to work through the figures next week and will let you know how it works out, or if I need any more info.<br><br>Well done <br><br>Nice shiny motor BTW