New hardtop Fitted

[Rusty Wishbone]

Back in the summer, I bought an SPC/ Kuching hardtop. Unfortunately it got damaged in transit from Scotland, so before I could have it painted, I had to get my local fibreglass people to repair it. Now that it has been fixed and painted, I have spent some time installing ot to the car. So without further ado, here are the pictures:












Overall, I'm very pleased with the result. You will see that I have had it painted two-tone. I have to say that the pictures of hardtops that I have seen which are black all over don't look right to me where it fills in the place that the hood cover would normally go.

I've still got some work to make it fill properly. It seems to fit too far to the near side. The only way to adjust it towards the off side seems to be to adjust the position of the latch plates on the windscreen header rail. I'm not sure how easy that is yet.

[novacaine]

looks awesome. I really want one of these, might have to try and make one myself in the summer

[HJ2]

Like!

[Rusty Wishbone]

looks awesome. I really want one of these, might have to try and make one myself in the summer

I was originally going to try and make one from an MGF hardtop. In fact I went so far as to buy one. I actually prefer the shape of the MGF hardtop, but it would require a very large amount of work to make it fit. The Kuching hardtop is a much easier gig.

If you want an MGF hardtop to use as the basis for a project, let me know. I am happy to sell on mine for the same kind of price that I paid - which was fairly inexpensive, I think. Alternatively, the Kuching hardtop moulds still exist, and a new run can be done - probably costing about £1500.

[niall]

Looks very good. I like the two tone solution although I don't think it would be necessary on a HT painted the same colour as the rest of the car.
I actually have one of these painted Pacific Blue and which I am happy to offer for sale. I'll try to get round to placing an ad in the correct section.

[novacaine]

Haha I want first dibs :p

Lucky for me I have a dad that was a fibreglass specialist, so a MGF conversion may be fairly easy with his help. But I like the flat window of the Kuching hardtop

[lotos]

f**k me that looks terrific! Well done. Love it.

[whippit]

lookes lke youve been rallying it,

slight of subject nice front door same as mine

[Rusty Wishbone]

lookes lke youve been rallying it,

slight of subject nice front door same as mine

You will not believe me when I tell you that the mud is the result of two test drives, each the length of my road, to test the brakes. Total distance, less than a quarter of a mile. That is unmade roads for you.

My front door is fantastic. To a significant degree, we designed the house around that front door.

[tigerdog]

I'm very glad I live someplace where I can drive my Elan with the hood retracted, year round. That said, if I ever fitted a hardtop, I'd be pleased to have it look even half this nice. Black on red looks great!

[Gazza]

Love the two tone paintwork

[Gazza]

Lucky for me I have a dad that was a fibreglass specialist, so a MGF conversion may be fairly easy with his help. But I like the flat window of the Kuching hardtop

So when is your dad going to start knocking out MGF hardtops for us?

[novacaine]

Haha maybe once we've made the first one

[LotusEnthusiast]

Love it! Now only if we could get a group buy with one of these haha

[Rusty Wishbone]

The moulds still exist...

Or you can bid on the one which has just gone on ebay.

[lotos]

Or you can bid on the one which has just gone on ebay.

Nope, that one was a "factory extra"

[tb10]

Ladies and Gents,

I have sourced two MGF hardtops and I am designing two different types of hardtop.

I will be using two header rail sections from two deceased soft tops to ensure the leading edge profile is correct. In addition, the existing clamps will be reused to secure the hardtop on the header rail. The headlining will be reusing the old MGF headlining but to also cover the old grab handle plastic which is, on most of the grab handles which are available, cracked.

If the source of these can be determined then that will help with the design. Does anyone know or can source a replacement?

On the one hardtop I will be using an old rear deck section to ensure a complete moulded hardtop results which would do away with issues of rear clamps to secure the top at the back.

On the second design, it will be a hardtop that sits on the current rear deck and therefore new rear clamps will be required.

I have already spoken to a friend of mine who has a contract with McLaren and who sprays their MP4-12C cars to do the paint and he in turn has sourced a supplier who will make moulds. I just need to do the prototypes.

Please don't start a 'group buy' list just yet as I need to find some time to get around to this project as I'm busy with my own work. However, if there are any volunteers who can assist the design process then I'm based in Bromsgrove about 2 miles from Paul Matty.

I'll keep the forum updated.

Kind regards


John

[novacaine]

Ladies and Gents,

I have sourced two MGF hardtops and I am designing two different types of hardtop.

I will be using two header rail sections from two deceased soft tops to ensure the leading edge profile is correct. In addition, the existing clamps will be reused to secure the hardtop on the header rail. The headlining will be reusing the old MGF headlining but to also cover the old grab handle plastic which is, on most of the grab handles which are available, cracked.

If the source of these can be determined then that will help with the design. Does anyone know or can source a replacement?

On the one hardtop I will be using an old rear deck section to ensure a complete moulded hardtop results which would do away with issues of rear clamps to secure the top at the back.

On the second design, it will be a hardtop that sits on the current rear deck and therefore new rear clamps will be required.

I have already spoken to a friend of mine who has a contract with McLaren and who sprays their MP4-12C cars to do the paint and he in turn has sourced a supplier who will make moulds. I just need to do the prototypes.

Please don't start a 'group buy' list just yet as I need to find some time to get around to this project as I'm busy with my own work. However, if there are any volunteers who can assist the design process then I'm based in Bromsgrove about 2 miles from Paul Matty.

I'll keep the forum updated.

Kind regards


John

Sounds like you have a similar idea to me. But I was thinking of fixing the hardtop to the rear deck, but in a fashion that it is still removable from the deck. I'm thinking of drilling holes in the deck (which will be capped when the roof is off) to fit the hardtop with bolts of some sort. Therefore the rear of the hardtop shouldn't need any extra fixings as the decks hinges and front clips should be sufficient for a secure fix. Might need to reinforce the deck though

[Don.Hasi]

However, if there are any volunteers who can assist the design process then I'm based in Bromsgrove about 2 miles from Paul Matty.

I'll keep the forum updated.

Kind regards


John

Sounds good

I would prefer a design like the original one with a round back of glas. I think, there will be other owners too for this. Keep on the work

[WienLot]

I would prefer a design like the original one with a round back of glas. I think, there will be other owners too for this. Keep on the work

Me too ! Me too !