Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[Kuching]

I am planning to design and construct a removable hard top for the Elan, having got fed up with getting wet even after replacing the convertable hood. <br><br>It would be helpful to know if any other owners out there would be interested in buying one of these hard tops when I can get it produced. I don't expect this to be a profit making exercise but the greater the interest, the better a job I can do and invest more in the tooling.<br><br>I should add that my profession gives me access to 3D measuring equipment, CAD system, CNC machining facility etc., so I intend it to be a professional quality job.

[Doug]

Welcome, and certainly a quality hard top would be a big success (as big as it could be in our micro-Elan-world)!!  There is a company out there SUPPOSEDLY near production for a hard top, so check the search engine in the Forum for the details!!<br><br>Problem with even hard tops is the seal--so we're told!  The seals make or break it--whether it is a soft or hard top!<br><br>I'm in, but still doubt I'll ever see one.  Should be interest I'd bet to sell 20-30 or maybe more if priced reasonably and proper seals!<br><br>

[Sy V]

http://www.ntccars.com/ntcframe.htm<br><br>http://www.m100world.com/hardtop.html<br><br>...and still we wait...

[Stef]

Yes!<br><br>I would be very interested!<br><br>One other selling point would be ease of fit and removal.  I'll want to rip if off mighty fast on those odd sunny days in the winter

[stevo]

if you could there would be at least 20-30 orders with mine at the front of the que. it would all depend on ntc and m100 world pulling the finger out. if either one of these companys has given up on the idea perhaps you could see what they already have.

[Kuching]

It looks like there will be enough interest to make this project worthwhile. I will sort out some pictures of the concept design and post a link but in the meantime I would welcome further helpful suggestions.

[Doug]

[quote author=Stef link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=0#3 date=04/09/04 at 09:25:43]Yes!<br><br>I would be very interested!<br><br>One other selling point would be ease of fit and removal.  I'll want to rip if off mighty fast on those odd sunny days in the winter [/quote]<br>Let me get this straight; you want to rip your top off on sunny Winter days??<br><br>This is good!   ;D<br>

[Paul.P]

Certainly be very interested, if quality was good !.<br>Paul.P

[dave_ward]

maybe this is a silly Q but  is there no chance of slightly copying the mx5 hard top, i saw one outside my house last week on a new mx5 and it looked f**king amazing even if it was on  toni and guys car!!!!!

[Doug]

Dave, call me crazy, but I'd bet you'd have the best luck with actually buying a MX5 hardtop and taking it to someone who is well versed in fibreglass--and have them cut/slice/adapt it to fit the Elan--than you would holding out for an Elan hardtop.  It appears it just wasn't meant to be.<br><br>Call me a skeptic (and I am) but this is one thing that just may never happen.  Perhaps someone will prove me wrong--I used to say the same about reading the ECU sensors until along came ElanScanMan to prove me wrong on that!!  :-[

[Sy V]

He also used to say the same thing about Elises being launched in the good old US of A too.<br><br> ;D

[Doug]

[quote author=Sy link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=0#10 date=04/09/04 at 22:27:33]He also used to say the same thing about Elises being launched in the good old US of A too.<br><br> ;D [/quote]<br>That's correct  :-[ but I was saying that since 1999!!<br>I have yet to see them launched here  ;D<br><br>I must admit that Arnie must be some businessman! It just worries me that it will pull the ship under again! <br>It's one thing to be able to buy an Elise in the Us, and completely another to figure out where the fcuk there's anywhere to service it.  And like taking your Elan to the Isuzu or GM dealer to get service, I can tell you what the toyota dealers will say when you show up in your Elise looking for parts and service . . .  the fact that there is no support infrastructure at all is disturbing!<br>

[timmo]

Very interested in the Hard Top !! Count on an order from Maidenhead

[Fubar1764]

Ditto here. Just as soon as I get an Elan. . .dammit.  :'(<br>Cheers!<br>Jack

[ianad]

I would be interested,,, did KIA ever do anything about a hard top?

[clemo]

did somone start this thread on april the 1st??<br>even though we have been here before , put me down for one....<br><br>if it looked like the one in the book that me and AV8NDOC were dribbeling over a while ago...<br><br>good luck kuching i feel you have the backing of the whole LEC site...

[Kuching]

Check out the pictures of the hard top styling concept. I will post more/better quality pictures as the design progresses.<br><br>Constructive feedback will be welcome.<br><br><br>

[Monty]

That looks superb!  :o<br>how would that work with the hood storage lid?<br>Think u`ll have a few buyers off here if this project pulls off!<br>What time limit would u think for manufacturing is? 1 year!  ::)

[Jeff]

Looks great!  Would like to see some side profile shots as well.

[Doug]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=15#16 date=04/29/04 at 13:10:55]Check out the pictures of the hard top styling concept. I will post more/better quality pictures as the design progresses.[/quote]<br><br>FANTASTIC !! [smiley=bluewinky.gif] [smiley=bowdown.gif] [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=cheers2.gif]<br><br>[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=15#16 date=04/29/04 at 13:10:55]Constructive feedback will be welcome.[/quote]<br>It looks to me to be rendered a bit to rounded across the top. I'm sure you'll keep the bonnet and boot lines in mind, but those surfaces are rather flat; so the arc across the rear of the Hard Top will need to be a bit flatter on top. <br><br>____________________________________<br><br>