Grief Update - Surface & Design Split Roof
Discussion
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
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
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 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.
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.
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.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?
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.
The price will vary based on what you want done. I would recommend getting what Aaron had done which is Surface and Design new spilt roof and get D&C Trim to retrim the split roof and renew the rear folding section. The decision will depend on how old the rear section is whether you want to replace it or not, mine is original so well past it's best and would benefit from replacement. If I had recently had it changed then I would probably just get the split roof done and matched to the rear. The leather that Aaron had done on the inside of his I would expect to be extra, might also look good in alcantara or maybe even quilted depending on your existing trim.
Mine was a bare roof, which I will be getting trimmed at a later date as mentioned in my initial post.
For pricing give Dave at S&D a call to discuss requirements.
01253 595 800
Info@surfaceanddesign.com
http://www.surfaceanddesign.com
Mine was a bare roof, which I will be getting trimmed at a later date as mentioned in my initial post.
For pricing give Dave at S&D a call to discuss requirements.
01253 595 800
Info@surfaceanddesign.com
http://www.surfaceanddesign.com
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