Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[mark]

sorry, but what is flocked topped mean? [smiley=book2.gif]

[grahamec]

Mark<br>Its the finish on the inside of the hardtop, a little like a raised velvet effect but not as soft.( Hope I have that right Simon !)<br>Grahame

[Kuching]

[quote author=nitroman link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=330#337 date=01/07/05 at 15:02:56]Would be interested to know how much this cuts down on the headroom.<br>  <br>Please someone report in on this.  I can report from personal experience, my father having recently owned two Chrysler Tc by Maserati's (which came standard with BOTH tops), the hardtop dramatically cut down on road-noise, like night & day,  making for a true touring-car experience (but I also had to slouch-down in the seat due to the reduction in headroom).  Also the top, made of fibreglass, was a 2-man job to remove due to the weight, although I did do it by myself on a few occasions.<br><br>BTW the top looks great.  Great job Kuching![/quote]<br>I don't think you need to worry about the headroom, there is at least as much as with the convertible top. I am 6'2" and have room to spare.<br><br>I have tried to keep the weight to a minimum so that one person can easily lift it, however, it is easier to have someone to help position it on the car - more because of the size and shape rather than the weight.

[Kuching]

The proud new owner of the carbon hardtop is to be....Stef. But I will have some more available shortly.<br><br>Grahame, you are spot-on about the flocking. Its actually produced by bonding a dense coating of short fibres to the surface and electrostatically charging them so that they all stand upright. This results in a very luxurious look and feel. Readily available colours are black, charcoal grey (dark), or beige but it could be possible to do almost any colour. The distortion on the first top won’t be a problem again as it is possible to cure them at a lower temp.

[Stef]

;D

[Fubar1764]

At the danger of being presumptive Gary, I suspect Stef's more appealing than you are. . .unless you're driving a Boxster!  ;)

[Paul.P]

No need to be presumtive, Stef's definitely more appealing than Gary, no offence Gary, but them shirts ?

[Doug]

Lovely, Simon!<br><br>Will there be retained an option of plain CF within ??

[Kuching]

Yes Doug, carbon fibre is still an option but I was going to get the next batch all done with flock lining.

[Fumello]

I posted here long time ago while your project was started telling i was interested in your fabolous ht.<br>Can you tell me -/+ the times you need now to have one and the final cost? <br><br>Ciao <br>Francesco

[Kuching]

Over the next couple of weeks I will try and work out a build and supply schedule. I have not forgotten anyone who contacted me, so I will get in touch as the hardtops become available.

[Fumello]

Great, let me know on the other hand i have to shedule  my wallet cash flow

[PJB]

Hi there Kuching<br><br>Looks like real progress.<br><br>I too was wondering what the final prices were coming out like and how the wet weather testing was going (i.e. is it watertight!) Any updates on these?<br><br>Hope to see some examples in the flesh at Donington<br><br>Phil

[Stef]

Well, Blipi is sporting a rather fine crash helmet at the mo!  ;D<br><br>Many thanks to Kuching and his daughter who took valuable time out to fit it for me!<br><br>It is a rather fiddly initial fitting process and took about an hour all in all.  I decided to keep my soft top folded down rather than removing it which makes accessing one of the bracke tbolts a little tricky but Kuching suggested I fit an alan key bolt which would be easier to use.<br><br>The front clips need to be transfered to the hardtop so I will be looking for a couple to purchase at Donington (or from anyone who offers) to simplify the process further.<br><br>The seals fit very snug but I haven't had a water test yet!  As the lip of the seals are a little proud they do drag in the wind but Kuching re-assures me that the new 'new' type of seals are better and will send me replacements.  They don't make too much noise though.  I am getting more wind noise from the passenger side and think it is coming from where the bottom of the window seal is slightly shorter than the driver's side.  Wouldn't expect to get leaks from that though.<br><br>The inside feels strange.  Visability is excellent it's just the feeling of having a hard roof that is werid!  The CF lining does reflect a little but not in a way which distrcated driving at all.  Looks damn fine and I feel compelled to stroke it!  Stereo has a sudden better quality of sound! ::)  Like you can actually recognise what you are playing!!! ;D<br><br>The hard top is surprisingly light but I still think I'll do my first few removals and fits with assistance but I expect I should be able to do it solo once I was used to the process.<br><br>I will try and post pics  tomorrow as I can't find my camera at the mo.  I'm sure you are all keen to see the results!  I hope to have Blipi and the roof sprayed in the next few weeks and will update you all on the progress!<br><br>Well done Kuching!<br><br>Bring on the rain!!! ;D

[Sy V]

Great news Stef...get her sprayed and the stand's yours at Donington.<br>I also received my hardtop today, Simon and Charlotte (never have been able to spell that name... one L two Ts or two Ls one T) were wonderful company as Gail and I relaxed for the day.  The hard top now lies in the middle of the garage floor where a certain car should be.<br>Horizon are reluctant to promise any finish date...they've just sacked a mechanic.  I'm going daft waiting to be able to drive the new improved Stripey II.<br><br>Massive decisions about how is best to continue.  <br>Ideal scenario would be flock, paint, seals and fit.  However, because I can't let anyone paint her without the roof in place (so that the stripes line up) it might have to be; flock, seals, fit, paint.  Unless someone can come up with another plan?

[Stef]

Still struggling with awsnet pics here...<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>You may be able to follow the links.<br><br>It rained last night and guess what?  Blipi was dry inside!!!

[erod]

I would love to see the photos, but maybe threre is a problem with my browser, because I can not see them.<br><br>Congrats on the dry drive through the rain!!!<br>

[Stef]

Really dunno why the won't post.  They are in Awsnet.

[Sy V]

Are there any spaces in the filenames Stef.<br>If so, fill the links' gaps with %20 IIRC.