Discussion
I don't know how the other pople who have been after these have got on but there have been several queries recently about replacement roof panels.
If you have an example (albeit damaged) would it not be possible to investigate getting some moulds made and re-manufacturing on a short run basis.
Maybe someone like David Gerald or the TVRCC would be interested in helping out.
Just an idea.
Colin
If you have an example (albeit damaged) would it not be possible to investigate getting some moulds made and re-manufacturing on a short run basis.
Maybe someone like David Gerald or the TVRCC would be interested in helping out.
Just an idea.
Colin
I would also be interested in a drivers side one should anyone locate a supply, mine is bubbling up where it is delaminating as the locating pegs have been rusting. I was going to try to cut out the damage and make some new pegs, bond them in and refinish the fibreglass. Has anyone else attempted this with any succsess ?
A colleague of mine who designs and builds boats and associated carbon fittings took a look at my panels and reckoned that once a mould had been made, it would be straightforward for replacement panels to be knocked up.
A mould could be made from any OK panels but these would require to have the interior and exterior trim removed beforehand and renewed afterwards (some form of release agent would have to be applied to stop the GRP mould from sticking) - is it beyond the realms of possibility that TVR may still have panel moulds stashed in the back of their factory ? Has anyone asked ?
Forming of the panels from the moulds would be easy as TVR didn't seem to worry too much about weight saving. New panels from a carbon covered high density foam could be made considerably lighter than the standard units with no reduction in either structural strength or flexibility. It is unlikely that the cost of foam, carbon, resin and lugs should exceed £60-£70 for each panel pair. Catches (RS Components plastic @£6 each or Leven stainless ~£50 per pair) and coverings would be down to the individual but it should be possible for panels to be made for a fraction of the £1500 I have heard being talked about.
It may be worth canvassing opinion on this one and seeing exactly how many S owners would like new panels. There are companies (such as Carbon Tech) who manufacture replacement carbon panels for performance motor bikes. They could provide a price for manufacturing the mould and a price for each unit thereafter. It is likely that the price of the mould construction would exceed the price of each panel - hence a number of S owners committed to this would reduce the non-recurring engineering cost.
>> Edited by sotons2 on Wednesday 16th June 11:35
A mould could be made from any OK panels but these would require to have the interior and exterior trim removed beforehand and renewed afterwards (some form of release agent would have to be applied to stop the GRP mould from sticking) - is it beyond the realms of possibility that TVR may still have panel moulds stashed in the back of their factory ? Has anyone asked ?
Forming of the panels from the moulds would be easy as TVR didn't seem to worry too much about weight saving. New panels from a carbon covered high density foam could be made considerably lighter than the standard units with no reduction in either structural strength or flexibility. It is unlikely that the cost of foam, carbon, resin and lugs should exceed £60-£70 for each panel pair. Catches (RS Components plastic @£6 each or Leven stainless ~£50 per pair) and coverings would be down to the individual but it should be possible for panels to be made for a fraction of the £1500 I have heard being talked about.
It may be worth canvassing opinion on this one and seeing exactly how many S owners would like new panels. There are companies (such as Carbon Tech) who manufacture replacement carbon panels for performance motor bikes. They could provide a price for manufacturing the mould and a price for each unit thereafter. It is likely that the price of the mould construction would exceed the price of each panel - hence a number of S owners committed to this would reduce the non-recurring engineering cost.
>> Edited by sotons2 on Wednesday 16th June 11:35
I may be able to help with a set of panels to use for a mould and to also re-home.
I'm having my car converted to a full soft top which is costing a fair bit of money but if I can finance this by others making a mould from mine and then buying my set then I'd be happy to part with them but obviously not until my soft top is finished.
Perhaps if a few want them you can collectively purchase mine to cover the cost of my new roof between several people and then you have a good set to use as a pattern for the several of you and anyone who needs them in the future. I get my soft top at a lower cost and everyone gets a much cheaper option for a new targa top, everyones a winner ....drinks all around!
Could be a nice little earner for the owner of the moulds!
I'm having my car converted to a full soft top which is costing a fair bit of money but if I can finance this by others making a mould from mine and then buying my set then I'd be happy to part with them but obviously not until my soft top is finished.
Perhaps if a few want them you can collectively purchase mine to cover the cost of my new roof between several people and then you have a good set to use as a pattern for the several of you and anyone who needs them in the future. I get my soft top at a lower cost and everyone gets a much cheaper option for a new targa top, everyones a winner ....drinks all around!
Could be a nice little earner for the owner of the moulds!
WildfireS3 said:
If there was a chance of Carbon panels at a reasonable price I would certainly be interested. It may be worth talking to someone like ACT who do carbon fibre, to see what the cost would be.
What sort of costs are people looking at for the moulds?
Hmm.. in a crash, wouldn't the carbon fibre risk big splinters..?
WildfireS3 said:
If there was a chance of Carbon panels at a reasonable price I would certainly be interested. It may be worth talking to someone like ACT who do carbon fibre, to see what the cost would be.
What sort of costs are people looking at for the moulds?
Reckon on 2 man days to construct the mould - next to nothing for the materials (polyester resin and chop strand mat).
Say £25.00 per hour @ 20 hours = £500.00 seems reasonable as a starting point. Not exact (as I wouldn't be doing it) but unlikely to be way adrift of this.
I know of a couple of guys who are very capable of manufacturing both the mould and the finished panels. Whether they would be interested - I'd have to ask 'em. If they were up for it, I could pin them down to provide more accurate estimates.
If it does progress further, KentishS2's offer of donor panels seems a good idea. I certainly couldn't be without mine until winter when the S will be laid up a while.
As an alternative to hard targa panels, are any of you interested in the full soft top conversion?
This will purely replace the hard targe panels leaving the rear section standard.
I know that I'd love to be able to stop and flip up the top without getting out of the car!
I'm waiting on the price for a one off at the moment but there will be drawings and possibly a jig so subsequent orders should be easy and cheaper.
I can probably get these manufactured at good prices if a fair number of us are interested. The more who order the cheaper they are likely to be.
So, please don't ask how much yet, just assume the cost is reasonable and whether it is of interest.
Cheers,
Kevin
This will purely replace the hard targe panels leaving the rear section standard.
I know that I'd love to be able to stop and flip up the top without getting out of the car!
I'm waiting on the price for a one off at the moment but there will be drawings and possibly a jig so subsequent orders should be easy and cheaper.
I can probably get these manufactured at good prices if a fair number of us are interested. The more who order the cheaper they are likely to be.
So, please don't ask how much yet, just assume the cost is reasonable and whether it is of interest.
Cheers,
Kevin
I've been scouring the Bible for what it says on roof panels. Apparently, the panel design changed several times from S1 through S2 & S3. Does anyone know what these changes were ? If it were simply cosmetic and the overall dimensions were the same (this would have to be the case if the moulds for the car didn't change - unless the door size change on later cars meant a dimension change from hoop to screen ??) then a single mould should be OK for all S variants.
There seems to be enough interest from this and other threads to do some more digging. If TVR cannot provide moulds, then the very least that is required is for comparisons to be made between S1, 2, 3, 4 & V8S panels to ascertain the differences.
My man seems to think that 1) it is straightforward to manufacture the mould - I'm sure he'd be happy to supply a one off price for this and 2) manufacturing of panels would be equally easy. I have spoken to him about the prospect of doing both and he seems interested. I've seen his work - its quality.
Evidently, the cost (if any) of the mould to S owners would be dependent on who would like to own it and how many panels were to be ordered. If enough interest existed and a set of donor panels were supplied, I'm guessing panels could be made with the manufacturing cost of the mould spread across the first few orders although this would mean that the moulds were owned by someone other than a TVR owner. I could have a chat with him and gauge his thoughts on the matter.
let me know what you think.
Neil
There seems to be enough interest from this and other threads to do some more digging. If TVR cannot provide moulds, then the very least that is required is for comparisons to be made between S1, 2, 3, 4 & V8S panels to ascertain the differences.
My man seems to think that 1) it is straightforward to manufacture the mould - I'm sure he'd be happy to supply a one off price for this and 2) manufacturing of panels would be equally easy. I have spoken to him about the prospect of doing both and he seems interested. I've seen his work - its quality.
Evidently, the cost (if any) of the mould to S owners would be dependent on who would like to own it and how many panels were to be ordered. If enough interest existed and a set of donor panels were supplied, I'm guessing panels could be made with the manufacturing cost of the mould spread across the first few orders although this would mean that the moulds were owned by someone other than a TVR owner. I could have a chat with him and gauge his thoughts on the matter.
let me know what you think.
Neil
sotonS2 said:
I've been scouring the Bible for what it says on roof panels. Apparently, the panel design changed several times from S1 through S2 & S3.
I would suggest a few of us with S's get together at pistonfest and try and Swap roofs.. I'd be happy for a pair of Carbon panels at under £100 from my S1..just think of the weight saving for starters!
Regrding splintering etc.. if it good enough for the Chimaera as standard then surely this shouldn't be a concern..??
Cheers
Matt
If you folks are thinking about getting some new roof panels, would you think about making them three piece rather than two? I looked into this a few years sgo and came to the conclusion that the panels c be made small enough to stow on the back shelf, also that they could still use the existing peg positions into the rear loop and windscreen. This would let you take the roof off without having to empty the boot, which can be a real pain if you have any luggage there. It may also be that this might appeal to more people because it is potentially an upgrade to any S series rather than just those few who have lost/knackered roof panels? I'd buy a three piece roof, for starters.
Having made the measurements and discussed various possibilities with a local fabricator, it looks feasible that we may be able to make the soft top targa replacement in just one piece and still be able to store it in the space behind the seats. The entire roof then becomes just two sections instead of the standard three. The same locating holes will be used and there will be no need to use the flip lock clamps at the front above the visors.
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