Hard Top - Now Obsolete

[Kuching]

OK, I guess its time to end the speculation. <br><br>I am pleased to announce that Paul Matty has kindly agreed to supply and fit the hardtops. <br><br>This project has been so well received that I think it deserves the expert and professional service and facilities that Paul Matty Sports Cars can offer.  I would invite any enquiries to be made directly to Paul.<br><br>

[Nige]

Simon,<br><br>Thanks for the update, perfectly happy to deal with Paul Mattys as I have done ever since starting Lotus ownership in 1984.  Have you passed details of those of us who had registered a wish to purchase with yo to Paul Mattys or do you want us to make a fresh approach?<br><br>Nige

[Houdini]

Was there a discussion with regards to those who would like to purchase in the USA?

[F1 LOTUS]

[quote author=Turbocharger link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=450#462 date=05/06/05 at 12:40:52]Was there a discussion with regards to those who would like to purchase in the USA?[/quote]<br><br>The idea was floated to get a second set of molds made for hood production in the US but we're not sure there would be sufficient interest... :-/<br><br>Exporting hoods to the US is probably too expensive given the present exchange rate :'(

[nitroman]

Turn the blighter upside-down, affix a sail to it... problem solved!  Pin a note: please deliver to 'xxxx' of course.  It is fibreglass after all; should be a seaworthy craft.  If you are really serious, stock up on supplies & row it yourself.  Better still, mount an outboard motor to the header-rail end and off you go, captain Ahab!  (take your GPS along!)

[Doug]

yeah, next time someone ships their Elan to the States for a year stint we should get a hardtop imported along with it   ;D

[Kuching]

[quote author=elanman link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=450#461 date=05/06/05 at 11:55:40]Simon,<br><br>Have you passed details of those of us who had registered a wish to purchase with yo to Paul Mattys or do you want us to make a fresh approach?<br><br>Nige[/quote]<br>I haven't passed any contact details on as I cannot be sure that everyone would want me to. You could let me know if you want me to pass on your request to Paul, or otherwise feel free to contact him directly

[Nige]

Very happy to deal directly with Paul Matty's (probably a phone call on Monday morning) and simply place an order directly with them.  I understand entirely why you did not want to pass details on and think it was entirely the right thing to do.  Thanks for all you have done on this, enjoy some time off.  There again, as Sy said, what about an M200 style front end, or a rear panel that takes Elise S2 lights  ;).<br><br>Nige  

[Kuching]

[quote author=Brian_MDB link=board=body;num=1081474915;start=450#463 date=05/06/05 at 13:09:48]<br><br>The idea was floated to get a second set of molds made for hood production in the US but we're not sure there would be sufficient interest... :-/<br>([/quote]<br>I haven't dismissed this idea, but it seemed sensible to test and develop the design before making any more moulds. <br><br>Also it would require spending yet more money on restoring the original patterns (which were damaged when extracted from the first moulds), producing more moulds, and shipping them to the US. Considering that I am still a long way off recovering the costs so far, I am in no hurry to spend even more at the moment.

[Houdini]

FYI!<br><br>Just had a response from Paul Matty. He will sell and ship to the USA. Price is approx. $3000+shipping. Hardtops would be unfinished (needing paint and proper fitup to each car).<br><br>,Russ<br><br>p.s. Don't everyone reach for there check books at once!

[Kjeld]

$3k + shipping + paint?? 32 pages on this topic too. I suspect that if the last posting were the first, it would have been a very short thread. Still, awfully exciting to watch a project like this unfold as it has. A little depressing to see the market at work though. <br><br>Guess I will just replace my shabby soft top.<br>

[Fubar1764]

Oh, I dunno. It sounds about right to me. A custom hardtop for the price of a MB mass-produced one (for the SL). I think that's a bargain!<br>Just IMO.

[Bolsom]

:-[ I'm with kjeld on this.  Comparison it to a Merc hardtop which of course is bespoke also and carries high tooling costs doesn't  cheer me up.  I was quoted <br>1650 + VAT + paint + fitting by Paul Matty Sportcars.<br>This is about 2250 GBP I would estimate.  Like kjeld<br>sadly I will look elsewhere.<br>On another topic, I have just changed my headlights to<br>LHD for France. I used the guide from this site. I found<br>that it is not necessary to disassemble the linkage that raises and lowers the headlamp pod.<br>

[F1 LOTUS]

I think there are a few more Merc's than Elans sold, over which the tooling and development cost could be spread

[Don.Hasi]

Hi

I´m new to this superb forum.

I´ve read the whole 23 sides but haven´t got a hint whether the HT does fit also to a kia version? If so what would be the price for shipping to germany?

thanks for answering

Kind regards


EDIT: I always forget the half Or does for the kia version exist an alternative? (Sorry, I have also searched the complete forum)

(please forgive the bad english.... )

[Nige]

Welcome to the forum. I don't know if Simon's hardtop will fit the Kia Elan and don't know of anyone who has tried (don't know anyone with a Kia Elan). However, unless Kia made changes to the hood cover panel the windscreen header rail or the door glass and seals I can't see any reason why it wouldn't fit.

[theelanman]

I was interested in this until....well just until!!!
thought the original price of £1450 was atainable and had kind of prepared myself for £1500........then it all went pear shaped on the last page.....I know its easier to get someone else to sort it and what have you but as mattys do they stick a huge proffit on top.... (I have personal experience of this with him buying cars and doubling the price when it lands on his forecourt.......should at least purchase the car at a fair price and sell at a fair price rather than make a huge proffit...!) anyway the change in price from £1450 to £2250 has put it out of my price range.....I'd rather get a new hood and seals and sit it out.....anyway is anyone else going to be making/providing these or are we left in the solitary hands of mr matty...

doh!!!

[clemo]

bet we could all do with one of these in the next few weeks...
(except cj, ) but it would stop him getting sunburnt so maybe....

[GeePee]

So the hard top story has come to an end, I have followed this with anticipation and a fist full of pounds ready to get one ' BUT' I have to agree with theelanman about the supply.
Once a dealer gets involved all sorts of things happen, first the VAT then the fitting, then the spraying and anything else they can think of.
I know they have to make a living but not out of me thank you.
Part of owning an élan is the involvement of doing most of the stuff yourself and if you can’t do it then the guys on this site will do there best to help you do it, so fitting a hard top can’t be hard.
Can I get one without dealer mark up and all the VAT added, handling charges and any other price booster bits.
So when I have fitted it I can pass on the help and advice to others, is this not what it is all about ??????.

[Sy V]

Hard Top Summary

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... 7&start=60

You're well out of date.