Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[Paul.P]

Never done it myself, but been told if you take soft-top off, it can be very troublesome getting it to fit right when you come to putting it back on. Anybody know ?

[muley]

[quote author=Paul.P link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=300#301 date=11/23/04 at 11:14:12]Never done it myself, but been told if you take soft-top off, it can be very troublesome getting it to fit right when you come to putting it back on. Anybody know ?[/quote]<br><br>Well, +I+ found it to be a complete pain, because all the trim around the top of the B post has to be removed, and I did it twice when I swapped them ...aaarrgh<br><br>Jim B

[Kuching]

[quote author=Paul.P link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=300#301 date=11/23/04 at 11:14:12]Never done it myself, but been told if you take soft-top off, it can be very troublesome getting it to fit right when you come to putting it back on. Anybody know ?[/quote]<br>The trick is to mark the position of the frame bracket with a marker pen before you remove anything. The new hardtop bracket then fits onto the 2 existing bolts, either with the convertible top left in place or with it removed. <br><br>If the frame is left in place, the front bolt does not have to be completely removed (to avoid having to strip all the 'B' pillar trim) and once this bracket is fitted, it simply stays in place whether the hardtop is on or off. Subsequent fitting or removal of the hardtop should then only take a few minutes.<br><br>When I get chance I will sort out some better pictures and fitting instructions but meanwhile, be assured that I have tried to think of everything.

[muley]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=300#303 date=11/23/04 at 11:58:54]<br>The trick is to mark the position of the frame bracket with a marker pen before you remove anything. The new hardtop bracket then fits onto the 2 existing bolts, either with the convertible top left in place or with it removed. <br><br>If the frame is left in place, the front bolt does not have to be completely removed (to avoid having to strip all the 'B' pillar trim) and once this bracket is fitted, it simply stays in place whether the hardtop is on or off. Subsequent fitting or removal of the hardtop should then only take a few minutes.<br><br>When I get chance I will sort out some better pictures and fitting instructions but meanwhile, be assured that I have tried to think of everything.[/quote]<br><br>Neat! Marking the post would work if you are refitting the same frame. <br>

[RYO]

Kuching.<br>It,so great!! <br>My product is a child's toy if compared with yours :'(<br><br>But ,Japan is since there are many good days of the weather and opportunities to make it opening since many although it is rainy.<br>Since there is the necessity that it can be made to perform the desorption of a hardtop simply,  can be carried out in one person. The soft top uses. Wearing is easy.<br>It was difficult to make them possible. ???<br>

[Paul.P]

Just a thought here, & not trying to be negative, if the soft-top is kept in the car with hardtop on,  do you think it will be ok to keep it folded down for 2-3 months at a time ?

[Sy V]

If you're careful folding it and insert a rolled towel across the rear window where it has a tendency to fold/crease I would think it would be OK.

[Doug]

agree with Sy -- the towel is a must

[Fubar1764]

Very clever!<br>[smiley=luxhello.gif]

[Kuching]

Hardtop out on test.  <br>

[ab2cv]

Looks absolutely stunning  :o<br><br>Were there any torrential downpours to test it's water resistence?

[Fubar1764]

Wow, Kuching! Had to excuse myself for 15 minutes to "contain" my enthusiasm. <br>If you need some rain for testnig, you can borrow some of our famous downpours!  ;D We'll throw in the pollution with our compliments!

[Doug]

[quote author=Kuching link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=300#310 date=11/28/04 at 08:52:38]Hardtop out on test.  <br>[/quote]<br><br>BETTER THAN PORN !! [smiley=thumb.gif]<br><br> [smiley=clap.gif]   [smiley=clap.gif]   [smiley=clap.gif]   [smiley=clap.gif]

[Bolsom]

Hi,<br>     It certainly looks very good. If it proves to be leakproof it will be perfect.  Having phoned NTC every few months for a couple of years I know the seal problem must be considerable.  I visited them early on, and they fitted their hardtop to my car so I could see how it looked - it fitted with no problem.  Please add my name to the list.<br>      I shall be in the States for the winter but will return in early April, by which time I hope you will be in production mode.<br><br>   Regards - Colin Bolsom

[ElanSteve]

Boy, am I coming in to this late!<br><br>First, great job on the top Kuching, it looks awesome!    :)<br><br>Jack, you mentioned and then got cold on the idea of bringing a container into Houston. Maybe Frank at SCW could become the US distributor and help with the financial risk? After all he provides all sorts of other Lotus fiberglass. Or, as somebody else suggested there's Dave Bean in California, and Jeff at JAE would be another option.<br> <br>Finally, count me in as a potential US customer - even though I must be about the only guy who's soft top doesn't leak (at least on the driver side, there is a small leak where the seals meet mid window on the passenger side).<br><br>

[ElanSteve]

I forgot to mention: mine must also fit over the Auto Europe roll bar (you can see it in my pic if you look closely). However since the soft top clears the roll bar, and looking at the pictures already posted it shouldn't be a problem. However it may depend on how the inner shell has been done - if it intrudes further into the car than the soft top it may be a problem.<br><br>Steve

[Fubar1764]

Hi Steve,<br>Yes, I got cold about bringing over a container of hardtops for several reasons. Since I guessimated that a small container could carry about 50 crated hard tops, it's unlikely to be cost effective given the number of actual takers. My best estimate is there are going to be about a dozen serious ones. Furthermore, shipping via a carrier, we could also get the shipment insured so that our investment in the hardtop won't crack in shipment.  :o However, I'm perfectly happy warehousing and being the waypoint for US distribution. Since you're in Dallas, I'll have to insist you pick yours up at a LOST (Lotus Owners of South Texas) meeting. <br>Cheers!<br>Jack