Targa roof?

[enndee]

Just pondering roof options. I really don't like any of the hardtop options, even if I could find/afford one and I don't like the MGF conversion either. What I would really like is a Targa roof and my mind was idly wandering down the route of buying a hood cover and see if could find something interesting that could be permanently attached to it. The removeable centre panels shouldn't be hard to modify from the existing hardtop. Probably a totally stupid idea but has anyone actually considered this option and taken it any further than a passing thought?

[theelanman]

I think the only problem you could have is fixing it.......the hard top uses the header rail....
I suppose if you cut out a square section on each side.....(one for the driver and one for the passenger)....
kept the header rail with a central tie member going to the rear section it could work.....

IIRC there was a 'targa' conversion for the exige.....
I'll see if I can find it

[theelanman]

pics are near the bottom

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... 64461&nmt=

[theelanman]

[enndee]

Mmmm that looks interesting.
What I was thinking though was that the removeable roof section would be in one piece. My Elan lives in the garage and is normally only used when the sun is out so I would envisage that the middle roof section would rarely be fitted. Elan hood panels seem reasonably easy and cheap to find which would just mean sourcing a hard top that has potential. That also might be a problem as a lot of them seem to be wraparound rear windows which I certainly do not like. I am thinking more of a flat vertically mounted back window with sloping sides (not unlike the Elise and the Esprit), blending into the hood deck. The centre roof section is of secondary importance to me and I think could be fabricated relatively easily once the rear section was sorted.

[Don.Hasi]

The gullwings of the Elise could be demounted as one piece. So you have more options to decide how to drive

For the targa.... Kia has made prototype on the Élan. Look here:

[lotusgirlmarie]

Someday, after my current projects. I'll finish all of the bits I want to do on my car. Redoing the top to a convertible hard top is one of them. A more elegant dash and centre console. A better looking/functioning rear bumper. Those are my goals. At the rate I'm going, next year will be the start date for the dash as I need to replace my heater core. It's weeping.

[Don.Hasi]

If you want to keep all options to, perhaps the TVR solution is yours: targa & convertible

[enndee]

The gullwings of the Elise could be demounted as one piece. So you have more options to decide how to drive

For the targa.... Kia has made prototype on the Élan. Look here:

Mmmm, now that looks rather nice although somewhat beyond the skills of the average or even above average enthusiast to achieve!