Roll-over Hoops - Who would like to be part of a group buy?

[Rusty Wishbone]

You might have seen from my postings elsewhere that I have just bought my first Elan (Hooray!). I really want to use it every day, but my main concern, having spent the last few years driving a hugely strong and robust Subaru Impreza, is that the occupant of the Elan (ie, me) is very exposed. So, I would like to fit some roll-over protection. So far as I can see, the strongest-looking and best engineered hoops are those designed by Simon at SPC Design, but the 20 or so which have previously been made have long since been fitted. So, I would like to set up a new group buy for the SPC designed hoops.

I have begun to do the background work to get this underway, but there is more to do before a group buy can be finalised. I have been in contact with Simon, and have got his consent to set up a group buy using his design. Previously, SPC fabricated the hoops, but that is no longer possible, but he has directed me to a skilled fabricator (in fact the same man who fabricated the previous batches) who would probably be willing to do the work.

The cost will depend on the volume made because there are fairly significant set-up costs. Simon suggests that 10 units is probably a minimum. As to costs, this is something which will need to be finalised, but I think that each unit previously cost about £800.

Fitting the hoops will be quite involved. I have a copy of the installation instructions, and there is a lot to do because the hoops are attached to the chassis, not to the bodywork. SPC reckoned on an installation taking 3 days' work. No welding is required, and a competent DIY mechanic should be able to carry out the installation. I can supply you with the installation instructions if you ant to take a look. Alternatively, I expect that a couple of Lotus specialists would be happy to do installations, although there would clearly be a commercial cost to this.

As for timescales, I want to make it quick. After all, the design work has already been done. My aim is to finalise the list of buyers in early April 2013, with deliveries at the beginning of May. I'm not sure how realistic this is, but I don't want the timetable to drift much from that.

So, we come to the real test. Who wants to be part of a group buy of these hoops, probably costing £800-1000? At this stage, I am after an indication of anyone who would buy them at this price to assess demand. Once all of the details are finalised, I shall ask for a final commitment (and a deposit) before proceeding to manufacture.

Yes, I would like to buy some hoops (add your name below):
1. Rusty Wishbone
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[Steve A]

I'm Interested but they've gone up a bit £800-£1000

That leaves just two spots left for the hoops at the £595 special price.

Any other orders for the hoops after that, the price is going to be £675 each.

[Rusty Wishbone]

I have to admit that I rather plucked the price out of the air! My research hadn't found the actual cost of the previous batches, and relied on Simon's instant recall of what they cost last time. I also added a bit for inflation. I am in the process of making contact with the fabricator, and should be able to give a better indication of cost in the next few days. In the light of your revelation as to the previous cost, I hope it will be less than the £800 I have suggested.

[theelanman]

price at 2009..

Roll hoops - £595
Rear Deck (unpainted) - £325
Fairings - £240

Fitting - £150


so £800 sounds about right what with the price of everything going up...
especially metal....
and production costs

[woody]

Gareth wrote:-
so £800 sounds about right what with the price of everything going up...
especially metal....
and production costs

As I recall the final cost came to £1500 with painting, and the dreaded 20% vat.

Cheers,
Woody

[Rambo]

Are you sure Woody ?? I thought the increase in VAT only came in early January 2011

I'll ask Ronnie (ronjr) what he paid for his two which I believe Simon fitted for him

[theelanman]

As I recall the final cost came to £1500 with painting, and the dreaded 20% vat.

Cheers,
Woody

sounds about right for all of it....hoops, fairing and rear deck......
and it comes to £1539 incl VAT at 17.5% .....

[Rambo]

Sorry - I was confused. I thought Woody meant £1600 inc VAT at 20% just for the hoops/roll over bars

[paulsmithmk]

You might have seen from my postings elsewhere that I have just bought my first Elan (Hooray!). I really want to use it every day, but my main concern, having spent the last few years driving a hugely strong and robust Subaru Impreza, is that the occupant of the Elan (ie, me) is very exposed. So, I would like to fit some roll-over protection. So far as I can see, the strongest-looking and best engineered hoops are those designed by Simon at SPC Design, but the 20 or so which have previously been made have long since been fitted. So, I would like to set up a new group buy for the SPC designed hoops.

I have begun to do the background work to get this underway, but there is more to do before a group buy can be finalised. I have been in contact with Simon, and have got his consent to set up a group buy using his design. Previously, SPC fabricated the hoops, but that is no longer possible, but he has directed me to a skilled fabricator (in fact the same man who fabricated the previous batches) who would probably be willing to do the work.

The cost will depend on the volume made because there are fairly significant set-up costs. Simon suggests that 10 units is probably a minimum. As to costs, this is something which will need to be finalised, but I think that each unit previously cost about £800.

Fitting the hoops will be quite involved. I have a copy of the installation instructions, and there is a lot to do because the hoops are attached to the chassis, not to the bodywork. SPC reckoned on an installation taking 3 days' work. No welding is required, and a competent DIY mechanic should be able to carry out the installation. I can supply you with the installation instructions if you ant to take a look. Alternatively, I expect that a couple of Lotus specialists would be happy to do installations, although there would clearly be a commercial cost to this.

As for timescales, I want to make it quick. After all, the design work has already been done. My aim is to finalise the list of buyers in early April 2013, with deliveries at the beginning of May. I'm not sure how realistic this is, but I don't want the timetable to drift much from that.

So, we come to the real test. Who wants to be part of a group buy of these hoops, probably costing £800-1000? At this stage, I am after an indication of anyone who would buy them at this price to assess demand. Once all of the details are finalised, I shall ask for a final commitment (and a deposit) before proceeding to manufacture.

Yes, I would like to buy some hoops (add your name below):
1. Rusty Wishbone
2. Paulsmithmk
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[markv]

Just to say that I'm very happy with mine, which Simon fitted in the last batch

[Rusty Wishbone]

Mark,
Thanks for your endorsement of the SPC design. That is good to know. Did you have any other bits fitted at the same time, such as deck or fairing?

[trig]

Fitted mine myself from the last batch, its a lot of messing about but easily doable ,, I paid £517 before VAT just for the hoops and it was money well spent
Original Price's from 2009
Part No Price
Hoop Assembly MH5-12-020-B £ 517.39 0 0.00
Rear Deck - Faired (black) MH5-14-015-A £282.61 0 0.00
Rear Deck - Faired (white) MH5-14-015-A £282.61 0 0.00
Hoop Fairing LH (black) MH5-14-011-A £104.35 0 0.00
Hoop Fairing RH (black) MH5-14-012-A £104.35 0 0.00
Fitting £150.00 0 0.00
Delivery (UK) £95.00 0 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Total Excluding VAT 0.00
Total VAT @ 15% 0.00
Amount Due Inc. VAT 0.00

[theelanman]

total VAT @ 15% 0.00

[paulsmithmk]

total VAT @ 15% 0.00

but now VAT is 20% so it will go up to £0 surely?!

[markv]

Mark,
Thanks for your endorsement of the SPC design. That is good to know. Did you have any other bits fitted at the same time, such as deck or fairing?

No, I preferred the original lines for the car so just had the hoops. I have seen cars which had the works and they looked fine to me, just not my preference.

[paulsmithmk]

Mark,
Thanks for your endorsement of the SPC design. That is good to know. Did you have any other bits fitted at the same time, such as deck or fairing?

No, I preferred the original lines for the car so just had the hoops. I have seen cars which had the works and they looked fine to me, just not my preference.

[Rusty Wishbone]

Thanks for all the comments.

I've spoken to the fabricator now, and he is happy to weld the tubes together, although there are a few hurdles to cross that I won't trouble you with here. He is going to give me an indication of the cost of his work, and a request has also been made to the tube-bender (I'm sure that there is a better description for this job) for his costs. So, I hope that I will have news on price soon.

Installation might be more difficult because the person with most experience of installing the hoops has moved to Western Scotland, so most of us will be looking for someone else to take that job on. Happily, paulsmithmk knows someone who might be available to do this.

[DavidEJM]

Just to add my thoughts as someone who had the last of the last lot fitted. I'm delighted with the fit and the finish of the items I have (though I appreciate that this is going to be a different batch from different manufacturers). I have the full works with the fairings, deck and hoops. I know there is a weight penalty (they were nowhere near as heavy as I thought they would be) but the added feeling of security is not to be ignored.

They do change the lines of the car, but i like that anyway.

Enjoy.

[Rusty Wishbone]

This project isn't yet fully costed, but on the basis of the fabricator's views, I hope that we can keep the cost of supplying each unit to between £700 and £800. This is based on 10 units. Installation is not included in that cost.

I'm pretty happy with that cost. I just need another 8 people to sign up, so if anyone reading this knows someone who might want to preserve their head, please let them know about this group buy. It will probably be at least a couple of years before this opportunity comes around again.

[nicowalker1]

I am still wanting roll hoops, but fitting for me is an issue, also the timescale as I doubt ill have the cash that soon. i have a few other things the car is crying out for before I buy anymore parts.