Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[grahamec]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=210#211 date=11/03/04 at 10:25:43]Dico, Scott,<br><br>Thanks for the support. <br><br>Debbie[/quote]<br><br>And what kind of support is that Debbie ;D :-*

[F1 LOTUS]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=210#214 date=11/03/04 at 16:16:41]<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>N-I-C-E !<br><br>This looks s-o-o-o much better than any of the other offerings I've seen including Lotus's own attempt, I think this might even get Peter Stevens nod of approval, it would be interesting to shoot him a piccy?<br><br>A few questions for you Maestro...<br>Is the back window from another car or is it custom?<br>Are you using any fittings (like the front latches) from the soft top?<br>Did you need to make a mold for the inside surface too?<br>Is the compartment below the hood cover more easily accessed with your hard top in place than with the soft top up?<br>Have you weighed the first (glass fibre?) prototype?<br><br><br>Aero drag...one way you could check this (without going to MIRA's windtunnel) would be to simply do back to back coast-downs from speed and record with Elanscan?<br><br>Well played on making this happen!<br>

[Sy V]

Simon<br><br>Absolutely brilliant...well done.<br><br>Can I ask how you are tackling the seal aspect? One piece, fluted strip?

[new2u]

Simon<br><br>can't wait to see the prototype painted and in the flesh.<br><br>when do you think you'll be exhibiting the finished product?<br><br> [smiley=bowdown.gif]<br><br>Craig

[Neil D.]

Simon<br><br>Great job, how far are you from production?<br><br>Neil

[Kuching]

[quote author=Brian_MDB link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=210#221 date=11/04/04 at 22:45:29]<br>A few questions for you Maestro...<br>Is the back window from another car or is it custom?<br>Are you using any fittings (like the front latches) from the soft top?<br>Did you need to make a mold for the inside surface too?<br>Is the compartment below the hood cover more easily accessed with your hard top in place than with the soft top up?<br>Have you weighed the first (glass fibre?) prototype?<br>[/quote]<br>Brian,<br><br>Thanks for your positive comments.<br><br>The rear glass is custom made as I couldn't find a stock one similar to what I was looking for. <br><br>The front latches do use the convertible over-centre clamps. I have also designed an equivalent bolt on clamp but it's easier to just swap them off the convertible frame.<br><br>The inside surface is fully moulded and could be finished either with flock or carbon fibre weave.<br><br>If the convertible hood is removed, there is space to get a weeks shopping in there!<br><br>The glass prototype weighs in at 11kg (24lbs) but that is without window, brackets or seals.

[Kuching]

Sy,<br>I have a few possible options for the seals which I can now test on the prototype but they are all based on relatively cheap stock sections.<br><br>Graig,<br>If I can fix my driveshaft in time I plan to get to Stonleigh, so that should be a good opportunity for people to see it.<br><br>Neil,<br>No.2 is already in production.

[stevieshag]

Simon, <br>the picture looks great, you are proggressing brilliantly with this, & i am excited about seeing 1 at stoneleigh. it does impress me 100%. been trying to think of something technical to ask but think you have covered everything i can think of... <br> [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=cheers.gif]  think we as a group are lucky to have such a talent as a member.. <br><br>stevie

[GaryJ]

Kuching.<br><br>As my friend, Tina, often voices;<br><br>You're hood's simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than anyone. Anyone I've ever met.<br><br>

[Kuching]

<br>WORLD EXCLUSIVE<br><br> Work in progress but here's a sneak preview taken by some local paparazzi!!<br><br>      

[clemo]

i have just gone to the hat and coat stand ..<br>put on my favorite hat....<br>and then taken it off infront of the pictures...<br><br>well done that man ...<br><br>looks like it is coming on nicely.<br>i too as everyone else am looking forward to seeing it at stoneleigh...<br>(available on ebay soon , the original plans to this hardtop , doubles up as beer mat )to those at the lakes you will know what i am waffeling on about ...<br><br>once again well done..<br>clemo

[Paul.P]

Kuching, bloody marvellous !!!, cant wait to take delivery

[John_W]

[quote author=Dico link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=225#232 date=11/06/04 at 11:48:59]<br>just thinking that if we all have them painted at the same place (say cumbria somewhere  ::) ) we could perhaps get a price reduction?[/quote]<br>Dico,<br>Maybe if they were all sprayed the same colour (say Pacific Blue) you might be able to get an even bigger reduction.<br>John  ;)<br><br>PS: Kuching, I'm not interested in a hard top myself, but I do think  your design really suits the car and admire the work you've done.<br>PPS: how do you pronounce Kuching? Coo-shing? Coosh-ing? Kutch-ing? Ku-shing? Ku-tching (as in cash-register)?

[muley]

Kuching,<br><br>The hardtop is superb, take a bow!<br><br>Jim B<br><br>

[mark]

Kuching - looks fantastic!  I'm thinking  of glossy black againt the Norfolk Yellow!!<br><br>So, any ideas on how we can get them to the US at a reasonable price?  Between the dollar being in the toilet against the pound/euro (and forecast to get weaker over the next year) and shipping something that large, the top seems out of reach for me.  Is it feasible to think about shipping the dies here and doing a separate production run in the US?

[grahamec]

Well done Simon and Debbie, it looks great

[Doug]

<br><br> [smiley=thumb.gif] Simon<br><br> [smiley=clap.gif] Simon<br><br> [smiley=bowdown.gif] Simon<br><br>I'll collect mine at Donington if someone can help me figure out how to either get it on my plane back as freight or post it back to the US . . . .   :-*<br><br>PS -- Simon, I've Knighted you by making you an honorary Forum God now and forwarded the recommendation to the Queen herself  ;D

[Jeff]

[smiley=bow.gif] [smiley=bow.gif] [smiley=bow.gif]

[Neil D.]

Simon<br><br>As you are already on number 2 how long is the waiting list  ;)<br><br>Also the cherry on the cake, is that we get all winter to re spray our rear tonneau thus removing the horse shoe mark made by the hood  :D<br><br>I like it very much, may have to start coming back to Donington.<br><br>Neil<br>