Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[GaryJ]

Now Wednesday   :'(<br><br>How much was the bet again ? ;)

[davidjt]

No pressure........

[Kuching]

Didn't have chance to put anything on the thread last night as I was working quite late. However, the hardtop now really does exist!  [smiley=banana.gif] <br><br>Now I have a prototype, there are a few detail improvements that I want to make such as sorting out trim lines etc. but essentially, I am very happy with it. <br><br>I will post some pictures as soon as I can sort them out.

[WillB]

<br>  8)

[GaryJ]

You are the man!!!!!!!!      

[GordonBKK]

Hey Kuching, you better be quick.  <br><br>I just saw a finished (?) (metal) prototype at my service garage this afternoon. It was lying on the floor and looked real good.  The guy said he just got it today and will be sending it off to make a mold for fibre glass.  Looks quite similar to the photos I see here elsewhere in LEC forum but with space for a flat large glass rear window, unlike the rounded one posted by Neil D.  More similar to RYO's picture.    :o<br><br>Seems he will put it on the net once it is done.  I am in line for one and he said there are about 5-6 others waiting for it.   <br><br>

[GaryJ]

May be a bit pricey from Bangkok though.

[GordonBKK]

Doh.... the prices  I see in the earlier threads are about Stg. 1200-1500? I can't give out the actual price since I truly don't know until it is done and fixed with a real working example on one of his first lined up customers.   :-X<br><br>But if his rough off the hip figure holds (and I think it is still expensive by local standards), he can still put Kuching truly out of business. But of course locals like me get a better price, while exports will be more expensive, at least that is what he said.  Hint??? Hey Asians and don't get paid half of what you guys are paid.    ;D  ;D   :-X  :-X  :-*<br><br>You just don't know how enterprising the Thais can be; and usually at much cheaper prices in my experience.  I am installing locally produced drilled and slotted front discs @Stg. 30 each (half of the EBC quoted locally to me). He showed me a pair of clear indicators for about Stg. 36 per set (which I think is very expensive as I can take out mine and find a plastic maker to copy for less if I had the time -- I estimate his cost is about a third looking at it).<br> ;D<br>

[quiksilva]

just my 2p's worth<br>ive used plenty of pattern parts over the years on many different motors and have generally been happy - but... <br>there is no way i would ever put brakes on which hadnt been thoroughly tested for strength and integrity (especially cross drilled / grooved) on any of my cars - especially the elan where the fronts do over 80 percent of the breaking load  and arent that brilliant stock anyway - buying a  quality brand helps me sleep easier  :)<br>qs

[Scott J]

The freight, packing, and insurance costs would wipe out any cost savings of producing in BKK .<br><br>Also, with UK supplier we can drive to Kuchings for a factory fit.   [smiley=bowdown.gif]

[Kuching]

Dico, Scott,<br><br>Thanks for the support. <br><br>Debbie

[GordonBKK]

For Dico and Scott J., I do agree the shipping cost, import duties, etc. will wipe out much of the price advantage. I do support Kuching as he has put in hell of an effort from what I read and it makes sound good sense to be able to turn to local help when after-sales service is needed.  As for myself, I will wait and see if the finished product is truly well finished before I part with my hard earned money.  ;)<br><br>Quicksilva, I fully share your well-intentioned concerns on untested slotted + drilled discs failures, but he has never seen failures so far (fingers crossed here).  Wonder if he supplies also for the Esprits I see in his service garage and if so are there any problems - that will be indicative; willl check that out. Besides, I don't think I will go further than MBC+bypass valve or a chip from Elanscanman; doubtful if I make 200hp.  I will be taking the originals discs to be slotted too as a reserve as it is in good condition after less then 50,000km use.  :)

[Darren]

My money is on the one named "Kuching".<br><br> [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  [smiley=UK.gif]  

[Kuching]

<br><br>

[Doug]

Bring it on, Baby!!!  ;D<br><br>picture time, Simon!!

[F1 LOTUS]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=195#202 date=11/03/04 at 05:29:36]Didn't have chance to put anything on the thread last night as I was working quite late. However, the hardtop now really does exist!  [smiley=banana.gif] <br><br>Now I have a prototype, there are a few detail improvements that I want to make such as sorting out trim lines etc. but essentially, I am very happy with it. <br><br>I will post some pictures as soon as I can sort them out.[/quote]<br><br>Hey Simon, how about publishing a 3D model of your hardtop assembly using this software: -<br> http://www.solidworks.com/pages/program ... N=56249863<br><br>The viewer and publisher software are free, the files it creates are small enough to be e-mailed (600k - 800k for your assembly?) this would be a great way for people to see the level of detail and visualise the final product from any angle. <br>I use the publisher and viewer all the time at work and it really is an impressive piece of kit for communication with non-CAD users?

[Stef]

Yeah yeah!<br><br>Wanna see pics!!! <br><br>Also fitting directions etc.<br><br>Cheers!  ;)

[Kuching]

[quote author=AV8NDOC link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=210#215 date=11/03/04 at 21:22:45]Bring it on, Baby!!!  ;D<br><br>picture time, Simon!![/quote]<br>See my post above. The picture didn't work at first as I must have mis-typed something.<br><br>Apologies for the poor quality of the picture but it was dark and late........ I will get some better shots once it is painted and fully fitted.

[Kuching]

Brian,<br>That site looks really cool  8). I'll try putting the hardtop file on there once I get chance.