Wedge Roll-Up Targa Cover
Discussion
At last - a new optional extra for the Wedge after 20-odd years!
I am developing a roll-up targa panel which can be stowed behind the seat. Three years in the concept stage and finally I've pulled my finger out and made a prototype.
The idea behind the panel is:
- to protect against the odd rain shower
- you don't have to fish it out of the boot
- less wear and tear on the main targa
- no wet roof in the boot - and the water just shakes off this panel
- quick and easy to put up and to stow
- use it in the garage to keep the dust off but be quick and ready for a roofless exit.
As you can see on the very first installation it started raining - how obliging of the English weather! But it did allow me to test it and it does work!
I can of course make them in different colours to go with your existing roof.
How to get in and out:
Stows away neatly:
It's worth noting that this roof is for parking only - no use on the track or road (apart from manouvering speeds), and for prolonged use over many days I'd recommend the proper targa panel as although this one will keep the rain off, it isn't guaranteed to be leak-free.
I will of course be bringing it along to BBWF for closer inspection.
Edited by adam quantrill on Saturday 28th May 13:48
Yeah sorry Neil - I could put a big smiley logo on it for you perhaps? It's possibly because it sits below the normal roof line. I'll look into how it could be raised to be flush. Thanks for the criticism though - it's exactly what I'm after at this stage.
I did sit in the car and you can fiddle about with the suckers from inside and stick them back in place if you are that way inclined. I'll post up another photo but the first couple I took from inside are badly lit so don't look good.
I did sit in the car and you can fiddle about with the suckers from inside and stick them back in place if you are that way inclined. I'll post up another photo but the first couple I took from inside are badly lit so don't look good.
Edited by adam quantrill on Saturday 28th May 14:15
I think it is a great idea too.
Having been around boat covers, you might consider a rib to give it a bit of positive camber in the middle so any rain would run off and not pond
And I'd make it a bit bigger so you could have a couple of suckers on the the windshield and have a bit of overhang on the back. Wouldn't be as elegant but might be more practical, particularly in wind.
One more thought... the suckers should be replaceable.
Grady
Having been around boat covers, you might consider a rib to give it a bit of positive camber in the middle so any rain would run off and not pond
And I'd make it a bit bigger so you could have a couple of suckers on the the windshield and have a bit of overhang on the back. Wouldn't be as elegant but might be more practical, particularly in wind.
One more thought... the suckers should be replaceable.
ROOODBOY said:
Just one question though, how do you push the suckers on to the windows from inside the car?
Since you can't drive with it, why would you need to install it from the inside?Grady
Actually I did consider a rectangular umbrella! But it would not be as compact, and it would end up in the boot.
Yes the suckers are replaceable - they are the screw-on types. Yes the mark II will have a centre rib - in fact I'm going to add an offset to the end ribs to raise it to normal roof height and a whole folding strut between the two outer ribs to make it easier to put up - it can be a bit fiddly at the moment to align the struts. This will also raise the centre slighly to avoid any puddling. The whole thing must be kept simple though to keep manufacturing costs down and weight down too.
You might want to put the roof on while sitting in the car at the motor races for example, so I do see the point of this functionality.
Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.
Yes the suckers are replaceable - they are the screw-on types. Yes the mark II will have a centre rib - in fact I'm going to add an offset to the end ribs to raise it to normal roof height and a whole folding strut between the two outer ribs to make it easier to put up - it can be a bit fiddly at the moment to align the struts. This will also raise the centre slighly to avoid any puddling. The whole thing must be kept simple though to keep manufacturing costs down and weight down too.
You might want to put the roof on while sitting in the car at the motor races for example, so I do see the point of this functionality.
Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.
I'm currently working on a spare roof I have. I'm putting a hinge in the middle so it folds in half and should fit behind the seats. (Not perfectly, but much better than the standard one).
I would be interested in your soft targa if the front and rear could line up better with the existing roof line, maybe a hinged bar?
I would be interested in your soft targa if the front and rear could line up better with the existing roof line, maybe a hinged bar?
What - including
I will be working on the ugliness aspect in MK II... I can't get a good match in green which doesn't help, maybe I shall try blue next.
- getting out of the car
- putting key in ignition
- turning key
- pressing button
- opening boot
- pressing button again 'cos the boot lid has slammed shut in the wind!
- removing from roof bag
- stowing roof bag
- lowering mullet
- raising roof
I will be working on the ugliness aspect in MK II... I can't get a good match in green which doesn't help, maybe I shall try blue next.
Grady said:
Transmitter Man said:
I'll be rewiring the bootlid solonoid button so it no longer needs the ignition on.
I do that nearly every time too, tried to bend the antenna on more than one occasion
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff