DIY Hardtop.

[lotos]

The guy i had given it to disappeared off the face of the earth after cutting it up. So i gave up last year

That sucks, sorry to hear that... At least he didn't abscond with the top in the process!

As its split down the middle i was considering fitting the Exige style scoop as the spine will need to be re-enforced, not sure about the look on the Elan though.

Lotus-Exige.jpg

I vote no. Keep the lines simple and clean. The only thing I thought was tasteful was the flying buttresses of the bespoke custom hardtop someone made from LEC a few years back. But the MGF one looks really good too.

[a5gcd]

Feel free to ask any questions and I will feel free not to answer them until my ad finishes

Another guess the part comp?

MGF?

Do you retain the original MGF seals? Does the soft top need to be removed. If you answer these questions I WILL DEFINITELEY BUY A CD - I PROMISE

Geoff

[Readit]

Geoff,

Rear seal is re-used, window seals are removed but can be adapted for re-use. I have not seen an MGF front seal as they are with the car so Lotus part or stock length required. Also MGF rear catches used.

Lotus hood stays on car folded away, hood cover is also left intact.

[Gazza]

What is it like for leaks and wind noise?

Cheers, Gazza

[addict]

my cd came today thanks

[Readit]

Sorry for the delay in replying Gazza. The hardtop reduces noise, you can hear the radio at speed.
I think it could be improved though as mine is a prototype and I could make improvements second time around.

[addict]

u want to do one 4 me lol

[Readit]

Sorry addict. If I had the time to do more, I would sell finished hardtops rather than "how to do it"

[Gazza]

When are we going to get a first viewing?

[terry randall]

Very Interesting. A lot of owners would like a nice hard top. The question isn't about the £10 CD, it's about how good is this hard top when it's finished and how hard is it to do it. Well done Readit if you've adapted a MGF top to fit, but the more people who contribute the neater the final solution. I like the heated curved glass, a lot of the expensive work has been done in the initial design and production, so this could be a really cost effective top. I wait to hear from someone who has bought the CD made the top. I would like to see a finished one. If they are quite feasible then I'm sure there could be commissions for someone with a dab hand at adapting them.

[terry randall]

just looked at Cd. Conversion quite possible if you can do a bit of fibreglass work, filler and spray. A few questions to anyone well ahead on this project. Can the cantrail spacer that is sold cheaply for the MGF roof be used as a front edge seal and spacer? Has anyone come up with a simpler or neater solution for new front and rear fixing clips? Would a small set of profile templates make the front fibreglass sections easier to do and some patterns for interior headlining? Has anyone any other useful ideas or advances to refine the project? There appears to be cheapish MGF heated rear window relays and switches for sale on ebay.

[theelanman]

just looked at Cd. Conversion quite possible if you can do a bit of fibreglass work, filler and spray. A few questions to anyone well ahead on this project. Can the cantrail spacer that is sold cheaply for the MGF roof be used as a front edge seal and spacer? Has anyone come up with a simpler or neater solution for new front and rear fixing clips? Would a small set of profile templates make the front fibreglass sections easier to do and some patterns for interior headlining? Has anyone any other useful ideas or advances to refine the project? There appears to be cheap MGF heated rear window relays and switches for sale on ebay.

.....mmmmmmmmmmm

[terry randall]

...mmmm "Faint heart never won fair hardtop" I thought many M100 owners would be fibreglass experts (certainly those who have regular little prangs! ) Still think its a viable project-- MGF tops readily available from ebay--£200 gets you a reasonable one to work on. At least 90% of the work is already done (compared to those made from scratch) Just need to develop the techniques and pass on the info. to others. Certainly a hybrid catch at the front using as much of the existing hood catch as possible would be good. Also a front piece and two side pieces in fibreglass or aluminium to stitch into the prepared top would be really good if someone could run them off for a price. Let's pull together on this one- there's certainly enough MGF tops out there looking for a home.( I suspect the hard tops will outlive the MGF's! )

[Dico]

I'm up for on. No fibreglassing skills tho. I do like the MGF roof.

[rip]

Sorry for the delay in replying Gazza. The hardtop reduces noise, you can hear the radio at speed.

Without an amplifier I trust

I'm up for on. No fibreglassing skills tho. I do like the MGF roof.

I wasn't aware there was a group buy for this

[bobbrown]

wot! crystal set

[terry randall]

Maybe a group workshop rather than a group buy sometime in the spring! I'm keen to see a finished top before i get stuck in. Readit, are you too far away and willing ?( you car picture is in Kent). Anyone else got one up and running and can assist ?

[GeoffSmith]

wot! crystal set

Cat's whiskers..... dog's bollocks!

[bobbrown]

do not think yo will get much music out of "dog's bollocks" but a Cat's whisker.............

crystal.jpg

Battery not required.

[GeoffSmith]

That is something I promised myself that I must do before the radio waves go digital.... I've even kept an OA70 point contact germanium diode in case the cat's whisker isn't the dog's bollock.