Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[ailwyn]

Simon has told me that he will no longer offer the hardtop to fellow Elan owners......I will leave it to the membership to decide where the blame for the recent and immediate obsolescence of this valuable and highly-regarded resource now lies.

Hope my comments didn't influence that decision It certainly wasn't my intention.

[Sy V]

Ailwyn, there's nothing about which you should be concerned.

[Jackonicko]

Stu,

Some of us appreciate the hard work that has gone into this, and understand the limitations of small run after-market accessories.

Anyone who isn't fixated on their own narrow self interest might also pause to reflect on what Simon has done for the Elan community, not only producing the ONLY properly available hard top in 20 years of the Elan, but also producing roll hoops and associated fairings.

Throughout, Simon has made it clear that he's been running this on very tight margins - the roll hoops (get this) because he doesn't want anyone's safety to be compromised by the cost, the hard tops because he's a decent bloke and doesn't want to rip off his fellow Elan enthusiasts.

And you sit there making a fuss about paintwork and the liner because it's not what you'd expect for £1,500. Perhaps you should have gone and bought an MGF or an MX-5 and then you'd have been able to buy factory built accessories. And if they'd had a trivial fault you could have moaned and whinged to your heart's content, because you'd have been moaning to a company's complaints department, and not to a fellow enthusiast who bends over backwards to help all of us out.

The only SP hard top I've seen was superb, incidentally, and I had one factored into next year's Elan budget as a priority.

If, thanks to you, the supply has dried up, you won't be on my Christmas card list.

(Polite) Words fail me.

[Nige]

Having been away for a couple of days I am deeply saddened to come back and find what has happened. I will not offer an opinion on the rights and wrongs because I do not know all the facts and an opinion is just that.

What I will say, because I can, is that I am delighted with my hardtop, (which will finally be painted in a weeks time almost 3 years after I bought it!), with the lining recently fitted, my roll hoops, fairings and rear deck. The service I have had from Simon, Debbie and SPC has been first class in all respects and I have the highest regard for the fact that these parts which add greatly to my car have been produced at all. Whilst I wholly respect the opinions of others I have no hesitation in making the strongest personal recomendation of Simon, Debbie and SPC based on my experience.

[Enright]

(Polite) Words fail me.

Yes, they certainly do! But I'd be a bit surprised if anyone else criticises you on this occasion for that.
I would have liked a hard top at some point - no chance of that now.
And I hope that this doesn't have a knock-on effect to the other parts that Simon produces for the Elan.

[tigerdog]

I am deeply saddened by this circumstance. In my time here at LEC, one of the hallmarks has been the civility and respect offered between members of the forum. Of late, I've seen an increasing tendency towards expletives and inflammatory comments from a few individuals (seemingly newer members not familiar with our ways and chided in other forums.) To have this negative behaviour manifest itself in such a loss to the community is truly sad indeed. Whilst I do not have a hardtop or a need for one, I have always admired Simon's work and consider his Elan hardtop one of the finest designs I've seen for any vehicle, anywhere. It integrates so well with the car's lines as to think it was designed as part of the original concept.

Those who have one should be honoured, those who need one should be dejected indeed. Let this be a lesson to us all.

[theelanman]

Im with Jackoniko for a change.....
and Neil
I would have liked a hard top at some point but thats not gonna happen now....thank stu
Stu
I have now heard both sides of the story and feel that Simon had done his utmost to help you......including redoing a paint job free of charge that was not done by him........and other things
I think you have taken the pi$$....and got the better of Simons good nature in the hope he was helping an enthusiast......and then you post these comments resulting in withdrawal of the hard top.....
gee thanks very much.........
at this point Im gonna stop typing as there are to many things Id like to say but wont......maybe if I calm down...maybe later
but for now.......a little miffed to say the least....
G

[Jackonicko]

Gareth allow me:

Stu,

Gah!

*** ****'* ****, *** ***** ******! *** **** *** **** **** ** *** *** **** ** ** *** *******. * **** *** *** ***** ** ** *** *** ******* ***** ** ****. **** *** *** ****** - you and the horse you rode in on.

Sincerely,

Jacko.

Even when angry, Jacko was punctilious in placing his apostrophes correctly.

[Paul.P]

It does make you wonder why people make remarks like that, when the only outcome was going to be to upset Simon, perhaps it was done on purpose to spoil possible future enjoyment by other LEC members.
I can see why Simon feels he should withdraw from supplying the hardtop, but Simon, you must realise you can't keep everyone happy all of the time, & occasionally you will come across ( for want of a better word / words ) an akward one , so please consider why you started this project, & surely those reasons are still there ?

[abmunro]

All I woud like to add is that I'm very happy with my Hardtop.

I was most pleased with head lining as it made the interior of the car feel much lighter and larger. I loved the way the roof clips were fitted, which were as good as the origional soft top fitting.

I know the painting was not carried out by SPC.

I only hope that Simon is not so pissed off that he halts production of the Twin Bubble etc.

I would like to say thanks once more to Simon for my Hardtop and ask that he does not stop with further projects because of one bad experience.


Cheers

Tony

[theelanman]

All I woud like to add is that I'm very happy with my Hardtop.

I was most pleased with head lining as it mad the interior of the car feel much lighter and larger. I loved the way the roof clips were fitted, which were as good as the origional soft top fitting.

I know the painting was not carried out by SPC.

I only hope that Simon is not so pissed off that he halts production of the Twin Bubble etc.

I would like to say thanks once more to Simon for my Hardtop and ask that he does not stop with further projects because of one bad experience.


Cheers

Tony

here here!!!!

[Doug]

FWIW I can't wait to see some hardtops and hopefully some of Simon's rollbars at Hethel next month.

I remember when at Donington and he was taking all his time away from the event to fit a hardtop on an Elan.

I also remember how beautifully the design fit--how the subtle curves of the Elan bodywork are reflected in the hardtop design.

Furthermore, I'll bet there are people this side of the pond who'd gladly buy Stu's hardtop from him if we could just get it over here. . .

[Jackonicko]

Now that the anger has dissipated a little, I withdraw the decapitation 'hope' (which was jokey....ish!). Stu may (or may not) be a plonker, but he's also an Elan fan just like the rest of us. Of course I don't (grit those teeth Jacko) wish him dead.

I also note that Stu offered the chance for anyone to go and see his car for themselves, and without having done so, none of us really knows whether he's a finicky mardy bastard, or someone with a legitimate complaint - whichever we might suspect as a result of our gratitude and loyalty to Simon.

I must say that I don't quite follow why one dissatisfied customer would prompt Simon to abandon selling hardtops to us.

I just hope that common sense will prevail on all sides......

including my own.

[stu]

With regard to my post above, I posted about the hardtop because fellow Elan enthusiasts like to hear HONEST opinions and views on products/services we receive. You obviously read MY opinion, you are entitled to yours, however, I DO NOT expect derogatory comments like the few that have been made (jacko).

Simon is well aware of the frustrations I have had with the HT, and it was not my intention for Simon to 'pull' production of these. This was his own doing. It was however, to let fellow Elan owners know and understand my experience I have had.

As far as the 'free re-paint' is concerned, Simon told me that it was down to the sprayer himself, not him personally. I contacted the sprayer and he "re-sprayed the house brick!" (Quote, Sprayer).

I will be more than happy, once I have returned from my holiday, to post pictures.

But please remember, this is MY opinion, MY view, and MY wallet!

[Sy V]

Let's hope that time prevails and we as a community can re-kindle Simon's faith and perhaps persuade him to continue the hardtop supply to the more trusted members of LEC.

Stu

When you return from holidays and twist the knife that you have so skilfully planted between Simon's shoulders., perhaps you'll take time to explain the other absurd accusations that you made to/about him.

[stu]

Let's hope that time prevails and we as a community can re-kindle Simon's faith and perhaps persuade him to continue the hardtop supply to the more trusted members of LEC.

Stu

When you return from holidays and twist the knife that you have so skilfully planted between Simon's shoulders., perhaps you'll take time to explain the other absurd accusations that you made to/about him.

Sy, I don't have time to explain. As 'cheif honcho' would you like to come and see the HT for yourself? You are very welcome to do so, like I have ALREADY said.

Anyway, why would Simon want to pull the production of the HT's after only ONE 'complaint'? Something to me just doesn't sit right?!

No slight on Simon, or his company has been intented. I just feel as though I have been fobbed-off.

[Enright]

That just indicates how low Simon's profit margin must have been.

Mind you, who COULD sustain having to supply 2 of everthing and 3 resprays out of their own pocket?

[Jackonicko]

Someone please go and look and photograph the alleged problems.

The bloke has had the balls to issue the invite.

[surfboardfiller]

Stu,

You utter, utter, ***t.

Some of us appreciate the hard work that has gone into this, and understand the limitations of small run after-market accessories.

Anyone who isn't fixated on their wallet might also pause to reflect on what Simon has done for the Elan community, not only producing the ONLY properly available hard top in 20 years of the Elan, but also producing roll hoops and associated fairings.

Throughout, Simon has made it clear that he's been running this on very tight margins - the roll hoops (get this) because he doesn't want anyone's safety to be compromised by the cost, the hard tops because he's a decent bloke and doesn't want to rip off his fellow Elan enthusiasts.

And you sit there making a fuss about paintwork and the liner because it's not what you'd expect for £1,500, you myopic ingrate. Perhaps you should have gone and bought an MGF or an MX-5 and then you'd have been able to buy factory built accessories. And if they'd had a trivial fault you could have moaned and whinged to your heart's content, because you'd have been moaning to a company's complaints department, and not to a fellow enthusiast who bends over backwards to help all of us out.

The only SP hard top I've seen was superb, incidentally, and I had one factored into next year's Elan budget as a priority.

If, thanks to you, the supply has dried up, I hope that yours comes off in a freak accident and decapitates you, you miserable ****er.

(Polite) Words fail me.

I cannot believe this post! I am shocked by this attack and don't feel it justified. I have been put off this forum recently because of the negativity coming from a growing number of people. I have stuck to a few threads to avoid 'not enjoying the membership'. But before I disappear completely, I think I should say something.

Phil

[L.G.]

Agreed with Phil.

I don't see anything wrong with Stu's post I must add. It's just a complaint. Why stop making when you can solve the problem? I think Stu and Simon should get together and solve the problem so that everyone will be happy. As people have used these hardtops for sometime there must either be a problem with the production of this particular hardtop or a problem with Stu's painter.

I am sure there isn't a big profit here but for the sake of the camaraderie in this forum both sides should look for ways of getting round this.

Good day to all,
L.G.