Soft tops and Tickfords

[antelope]

Just for the Board's interest...

I'd always understood that Tickfords, who made hoods for Aston Marin and Rolls Royce amongst others, designed and made the hoods for the Elan M100. Hacked off as I am with havinbg to race for cover whenever it rains, I therefore Wrote to Tickfords [they're now called Trim Technology] to ask about designing a new hood.

My question to them was as follows:

"Hello

I own a 1991 Lotus Elan M100. I believe Tickfords designed and made the
original hoods that fit these cars. Unfortunately, the design is
somewhat flawed, as the hood leaks like a sieve in any rain, especially
from either end of the windscreen rail, and also from above both
passenger and driver windows. It renders the car unusable in anything
other than fine weather.

My question to you is, what would it cost me for you to design a new
hood...one that doesn't leak this time...preferably using the existing
frame to save money?

Thanks, and I look forward to your response."

The reply I got follows:

"Thank you for your email. Yes we used to manufacture these hoods as Tickfords and still do sell the canopy and seals to the original design to the spares market.
Yes we are aware of the hood leaking, this was always a design fault with the frame and seals. However the hood was designed by Lotus Cars, built by Tickford Ltd and we only now make the canopy for the spares market. The frames can no longer be made.
The design of a replacement canopy and sealing system would cost thousands of pounds and not something that we would be able to look at I'm afraid.
Please accept my apologies for not being able to assist you further.

Kind Regards"

Website: www.trim-technology.com

[theelanman]

This info is known.......they give us discount.......they used to offer us a fitting service too........theyre in bedworth.....and dean holt is a top bloke.......

[daveA]

Hi

When at the Lotus Fes Snetterton a chap named Mark was handing out flyers to all owners about OEM soft tops.

try here :- http://www.m100hoods.co.uk/1.html

said limited No. available....

[theelanman]

Thats my car:-D

[antelope]

Sorry..didn't realise i was covering old ground here. These hoods that Dean supplies..can anyone confirm that they deal with the leakage problems? Thanks.

[theelanman]

certainly do.......just my a pillar seals now.......
I fitted mine before I did the sliders in the window.....
now theres a bit of a gap which drips if the car is stationary in the rain.....
if I keep moving its not a problem......
in hind sight......do all the jobs before you change the seals

[MPx]

certainly do.......

Errrr - I beg to differ....

I bought one of the last 6 that Trim Tech did when they did the hood and frame together. I also got them to fit it as its a known b****r to get right. They say that no two M100s are identical so experience is all when getting a good fit (pressure on rear deck, angle of window glass, seal on top rail, A-pillar corners, etc etc). Their key fitting man retired when the last of the frames were sold so they wont do fitting any more. Even with his undoubted skill, my new hood has destroyed the seal at the top of the door behind the window - it catches on the hood every time the door is open/closed. Anyway, my old hood leaked alot. When they fitted the nice new one that leaked too but not so much. At the time my A pillar seals were knackered and unavailable so I blamed them, but 4 years later A pillar seals finally came back on stream and I got Matty's to fit a pair for me. They had 2 goes - the second time they did about as good as its reasonable to expect. The car still leaks in exactly the places described - but not too badly and certainly not as bad as it used to. Not so good tho having spent £1200+ on the hood and about another £400+ getting the A-pillars done - and I still need a towel on my leg when driving in the rain.

[m100hoods]

Hi All

It has taken me a while to get registered to LEC and I have been waiting to see if my presence at the Snetterton Festival was mentioned!

So thanks to the member who posted the link to my website, much appreciated. I spent a long time chatting to owners at the festival and LEC was mentioned, initially I was hesitant to sign up as I didn't want to "bang my own drum" so to speak. But now that I have been mentioned I thought go for it!

For those of you who didnt speak to me at Snetterton and have no idea who or what I am about I have put together an introduction !

My name is Mark Miller-Burrage and I launched m100hoods at the Snetterton Festival 25/26th June 2011. If you received a flyer in your m100 then that was me and apologies if your alarm went off!

The reasons behind my business concept are detailed on the website http://www.m100hoods.co.uk so no point detailing it all here!

Basically I have sourced the last 85 OEM spec full hood kits from Trim Technology and can supply or supply and fit.

A kit includes :
New webbing / fixings
Header Seal
R/H Falling Pillar Seal
L/H Falling Pillar Seal
R/H Intermediate Seal
L/H Intermediate Seal
New Hood inc Rear Window ( I have been asked if these are included also!)

The first 25 kits will also have the option to include the Rear Stowage Lid Deck Seal, replacing a deck seal with the hood should be regarded as a necessity, especially if replacing an original fitment.

I also supply and fit windscreen finisher trims and A Pillar seals / carriers, conduct servicing and other common m100 problems.

My background is LOTUS, I worked on M100 at the factory from pre production stages onwards, I own a M100 (91 BRG SE) and I am passionate about the marque!

Since Snetterton I have moved into a larger workshop in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

So thats me if I can help then drop me an email via the site.

Cheers for your time

Mark