Grief Update - Surface & Design Split Roof

[Matthew Poxon]

The roof on my Griff is starting to look a little tired so I am planning on getting Dave the trimmer to retrim my roof early next year. Dave did also mention when he did the the carpets in my car when he unbolted the roof from the car the fabric was looking a little fragile.

The roof I am planning on getting is a DTT special and has a slightly smaller rear window but still in the same shape as the original so looks OEM to the untrained eye but is much easier to fold down without creasing and should allow the roof to sit a little lower. It has always been a bug bear of mine how the roof blocks rear view mirror visibility when lowered.

This is the DTT style window on Dave Byron's Chim...

... and for those of you piss taking on the other thread, look... something on Dave's car that is not an LPG spreadsheet and doesn't envolve Lloyds Specialist Developments

I have a surrey roof which I always carry in the boot and I use on numerous occasions, infact I am very pleased with it. The issue I have with the Surrey roof is purely the fit and finish, it is absolutely fantastic as a temporary 'I have left the main panel at home' roof but it does not hold up very well to being left on stationary in torrential rain as it does not seal properly onto the windows.

After seeing Moycie's new S&D split roof at the Garner day I decided that the split was the way forward. I also had a chat with Dave at S&D about the new Mk2 split roof and was sold on it. All the benefits of a solid roof with proper seals but none of the hassle of having to empty out the entire boot to fit the panel in.

Dave at S&D I have met a few times and comes across as very nice chap. I am really pleased with the roof panels and S&D were really accommodating in making the roof panels in advance and doing the necessary modifications to taylor the fit to my car on the same day so I did not need to leave the car and get the train back to Essex which is surprisingly very expensive (cheaper to drive the TVR which is a piss take for public transport).

Fitting at S&D using temporary fabric to simulate the fit once trimmed







I am going to get Dave The Trimmer to trim the new roof panels and roof at the same time to ensure they match. I am going to get the inside trimmed in leather with the matching fluted design I have recently had on my seats.



A big thanks to Dave and the team at S&D. Looking forward to getting the roof retrimmed and the project finished next year.

Matthew

Edited by Matthew Poxon on Friday 16th September 11:58

[GlynMo]

Matt, the split roof looks the mutt's nuts. Can you give me some idea of cost (to which I'd have to add the cost of getting to and from the UK, but that's my problem) for the panels fitted? Thanks.

[mjlloyd]

just fitted a new roof on my griff 295 done it myself horrible glue

[Matthew Poxon]

PM sent Glyn.

[ray von]

I couldn't agree more about the surrey roof, indeed I sent mine back for a refund due to the finishing of it. In the interest of fairness I have seen one that is a very good fit and finish. I've also seen the threads on here about them.
I got a price off S&D but I've asked a trimmer for a price to trim it but got nothing back.
My concern for you would be once it's trimmed will it still be watertight? I personally would've had one of the local guys do it, one's next door to S&D I believe, so any problems could be addressed straight away. It looks as though logistics is a problem for you so maybe out of the question.

From my mails with S&D it does seem a well thought out idea but it is a lot of money. Does it lift off okay in one piece and go back on in one piece okay.
The splitting of it and getting it into the boot seemed a bit of a mystery to me.
My Griff has a smaller window as well, worth it in my opinion.

[Podie]

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

[ray von]

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

[Matthew Poxon]

ray von said:

I couldn't agree more about the surrey roof, indeed I sent mine back for a refund due to the finishing of it. In the interest of fairness I have seen one that is a very good fit and finish. I've also seen the threads on here about them.
I got a price off S&D but I've asked a trimmer for a price to trim it but got nothing back.
My concern for you would be once it's trimmed will it still be watertight? I personally would've had one of the local guys do it, one's next door to S&D I believe, so any problems could be addressed straight away. It looks as though logistics is a problem for you so maybe out of the question.

From my mails with S&D it does seem a well thought out idea but it is a lot of money. Does it lift off okay in one piece and go back on in one piece okay.
The splitting of it and getting it into the boot seemed a bit of a mystery to me.
My Griff has a smaller window as well, worth it in my opinion.

The way that Aaron had his done was probably the best option to be fair, dropped his car off at S&D and had the roof fitted then it went next door to D&C trim and they trimmed it along with the back piece so all matching and a one stop shop.

I am very particular with trimming and I like to pop in and see how things are going so Blackpool is too far away for me.

If you send Dave at S&D an email I am sure he will be able to get a price from D&C for you if you are struggling for contact with them.

Lifting on and off in one piece is possible, they interlock well and will do even better once trimmed I am told. On testing with my car I find it easier to put it on one piece at a time.

Thanks for the feedback on the window, good to hear.

[Podie]

ray von said:

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

Do you think TVR went to that trouble with he S series?

[portzi]

Podie said:

ray von said:

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

Do you think TVR went to that trouble with he S series?

Podie is correct TVR workers were on piece work so getting the cars out to get more money!! and to be fair you don't hear s drivers complaining too much.

With S&D they tailor each cars roof.

I don't have a Surrey roof but l can guess that they are not tailored to each car?

[GriffLee]

The split roof looks very good but what is the cost?

[portzi]

GriffLee said:

The split roof looks very good but what is the cost?

I am guessing you won't get any change from £500, labour and materials as quality Mohair is quite expensive

http://www.martrim.co.uk

[ray von]

Podie said:

ray von said:

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

Do you think TVR went to that trouble with he S series?

I never said they did. Like I said I was just putting scenarios out there for Matthew to consider, mainly suggesting as he did getting it done as a one stop shop job.
You've had plenty of TVR experience to have heard some always leak no matter what you do, but I'm sure you wouldnt think it's unreasonable to pay £xxxx for a bespoke roof and not have it leak.
As I said I'm not casting aspersions at all about any work and I'm still considering S&D roof.
Portzi you're absolutely miles away on price

ETA It wasn't D&C Trim who didn't give me a price

Edited by ray von on Friday 16th September 08:11

[portzi]

ray von said:

Podie said:

ray von said:

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

Do you think TVR went to that trouble with he S series?

I never said they did. Like I said I was just putting scenarios out there for Matthew to consider, mainly suggesting as he did getting it done as a one stop shop job.
You've had plenty of TVR experience to have heard some always leak no matter what you do, but I'm sure you wouldnt think it's unreasonable to pay £xxxx for a bespoke roof and not have it leak.
As I said I'm not casting aspersions at all about any work and I'm still considering S&D roof.
Portzi you're absolutely miles away on price

ETA It wasn't D&C Trim who didn't give me a price

Edited by ray von on Friday 16th September 08:11

So it's closer to £1000?.

I suppose if your paying £40 hour labour charges that's Only 2 days work?

Was the quote from S&D as they will do all the cutting and re-shaping and glass work so quite alot of hours involved?

Edited by portzi on Friday 16th September 08:38

[spikep]

Portzi cut my spare in half with a band saw!! Great for throwing in the boot and going to Le Mans. Need to work on the seal a bit more but I've got a one piece if needed.

[portzi]

spikep said:

Portzi cut my spare in half with a band saw!! Great for throwing in the boot and going to Le Mans. Need to work on the seal a bit more but I've got a one piece if needed.

I remember that Richard, at RAF Waddington, happy days pal.

I don't know whether S&D use a proper Wandkin bansaw , l reckon they may use a hand help circular saw? It's their many years of glass work that is the key.

Glad your roof is still ok, pal

http://www.wadkin.com/products/browse/-/26/-/Band+...

[Matthew Poxon]

portzi said:

So it's closer to £1000?.

I suppose if your paying £40 hour labour charges that's Only 2 days work?

Was the quote from S&D as they will do all the cutting and re-shaping and glass work so quite alot of hours involved?

It is a completely new roof from a mould so you get to keep your original which was a plus for me as I wanted to keep the existing OEM panel for originality.

[portzi]

Matthew Poxon said:

portzi said:

So it's closer to £1000?.

I suppose if your paying £40 hour labour charges that's Only 2 days work?

Was the quote from S&D as they will do all the cutting and re-shaping and glass work so quite alot of hours involved?

It is a completely new roof from a mould so you get to keep your original which was a plus for me as I wanted to keep the existing OEM panel for originality.

That makes perfect sense, l suppose the more they make the cheaper the 2 piece roof will become?

[Podie]

ray von said:

Podie said:

ray von said:

Podie said:

I don't see why it wouldn't be watertight - essentially it's a copy of the S series design.

It probably should be. However when the seal rails come off for trimming they need to be replaced in the exact position for window alignment and heights. If a trimmer doesn't get a 'nice' seam on the lips could it affect how they interlock or fit in the header rail or rear hoop
I'm not casting aspersions about anyones quality of work just thinking of scenarios if you're the one 'lucky' customer that I always seem to be

Do you think TVR went to that trouble with he S series?

I never said they did. Like I said I was just putting scenarios out there for Matthew to consider, mainly suggesting as he did getting it done as a one stop shop job.
You've had plenty of TVR experience to have heard some always leak no matter what you do, but I'm sure you wouldnt think it's unreasonable to pay £xxxx for a bespoke roof and not have it leak.
As I said I'm not casting aspersions at all about any work and I'm still considering S&D roof.
Portzi you're absolutely miles away on price

ETA It wasn't D&C Trim who didn't give me a price

Edited by ray von on Friday 16th September 08:11

Think we've got wires a little crossed - my point was, that with the S series, TVR threw them out in decent volumes rather than having a bespoke fit. If TVR's didn't leak (and I borrowed someone else's panels once) then I can't believe a bespoke product would. That's all, wasn't inferring anything else!

[Matthew Poxon]

portzi said:

That makes perfect sense, l suppose the more they make the cheaper the 2 piece roof will become?

If there are a few people interested it might be worth putting together a group buy and see if Dave at S&D is willing to do a discount for a run of roofs?

To be fair S&D, there has been a lot of work that has gone into making this roof, R&D, creating the moulds and refining the production process for what is essentially a very low production bespoke product for an already quite niche market. I know we all view value differently but for me I think it is good value for what is a good quality product.