What do you think of TVR roof design?
Discussion
Meaning the lift-out centre section and folding rear on Chimps, Griffs and Tamoras (and also but less so on Tuscans).
While I do appreciate certain benefits of the design used (feels more like a hard top when up, able to leave rear section up if so desired), am I alone in wishing for a roof that I can drop or put up whilst not moving from the drivers seat?
Maybe I'm just really lazy, but I find sometimes, particularly on short trips or if the weather looks ok but a bit uncertain or if I've got stuff in the boot, I end up not bothering to drop the roof, so not making the most use of the car being convertible.
It wouldn't need to be electric, but just something you could flick a couple of catches and fold the whole thing back. What does everyone think?
While I do appreciate certain benefits of the design used (feels more like a hard top when up, able to leave rear section up if so desired), am I alone in wishing for a roof that I can drop or put up whilst not moving from the drivers seat?
Maybe I'm just really lazy, but I find sometimes, particularly on short trips or if the weather looks ok but a bit uncertain or if I've got stuff in the boot, I end up not bothering to drop the roof, so not making the most use of the car being convertible.
It wouldn't need to be electric, but just something you could flick a couple of catches and fold the whole thing back. What does everyone think?
Don't knock it if you've never tried it. I could drop the roof on my MGA in 5 seconds sat at the traffic lights by undoing the two thumb screws on the windscreen pillars and flipping the whole lot back over my head. Job done...
PetrolTed said:Roof design has come a long way since MGBs
p.s. I reckon the TVR set up is excellent. Rich...
I'm definitely not a fan of the arrangement, nearly as bad as the Elise - D'oh! 
There's plenty of decent maual style roofs on the market so I don't see why TVR can't make something similar. Probably be a good idea to have a real rollbar fitted as well to replace the possible support given by the rear section in a roll.
There's plenty of decent maual style roofs on the market so I don't see why TVR can't make something similar. Probably be a good idea to have a real rollbar fitted as well to replace the possible support given by the rear section in a roll.
I would love a folding soft top on the Tamora - and keep the hard top for winter/serious weather. I do like the hard top feel when the roof is up, but I like the roof down, and the Tamora boot is seriously tight from which to shove the panel in and out.
No aftermarket possibility?
My thought was to keep the rear section, but have a folding piece made to clip onto that, and the windscreen surround, and folding into the space behind the seats. That way, you get the best of both worlds - the extra piece could even slip into the boot, and would be easier to handle than the hard panel.
>> Edited by nubbin on Thursday 15th May 10:23
No aftermarket possibility?
My thought was to keep the rear section, but have a folding piece made to clip onto that, and the windscreen surround, and folding into the space behind the seats. That way, you get the best of both worlds - the extra piece could even slip into the boot, and would be easier to handle than the hard panel.
>> Edited by nubbin on Thursday 15th May 10:23
nubbin said:My thought was to keep the rear section, but have a folding piece made to clip onto that, and the windscreen surround, and folding into the space behind the seats. That way, you get the best of both worlds - the extra piece could even slip into the boot, and would be easier to handle than the hard panel.
Definitely like that idea, although surely would need a few mods to rear section and windscreen surround.
When I had my Griff it became a real annoyance trying to squeeze the roof into the boot. If only the boot opening had been an inch or two wider - can't see why they made it such a snug fit. I agree that sometimes it became too much bother to take the roof off for those short journeys. Must admit the 6 seconds it takes to raise or lower the roof on my S2000 has a certain appeal!
Paul
Paul
Already been experimented with. A guy with an S did it many years ago but the results were not brilliant and at high speed all sorts of issues occured.
Richard Thorpe at RT Racing developed a two piece GRiff/Chimaera roof but that also fell by the way side. As for electric roofs... think of the extra weight! And the complexity! ALso look at the space in an SLK with the roof stowed.... It will only take a pack of poppadums.
Richard Thorpe at RT Racing developed a two piece GRiff/Chimaera roof but that also fell by the way side. As for electric roofs... think of the extra weight! And the complexity! ALso look at the space in an SLK with the roof stowed.... It will only take a pack of poppadums.
Do you mean the Zertec Coupe?
scruffy said: Steve, who did that (new) Griff fast back design, I'm trawling the net trying to remember.
Not quite on topic...
Going back to the original comment/question. On the Chimaera there are things I like and things I don't. I like the appearance when the roof is up. With the hard panel it doesn't look like a cheap rag top, even if stowing it in the boot can be a pain. I like the fact that if you want a bit less buffeting around the ears you can remove the hard top and put the back section back up.
Dislikes include impairment to rear view with back section down. Having to be careful not to foul the seat belt mechanism withe the folded screen. Having to faff around with the velcro panels. Plus the fact that the leads to the interior light keep pulling its conduit out of the trim. The struts could be made a little more secure. A glass rear panel would be nice.
But I think the likes outweigh the dislikes and it's one of the smartest designs around. Like the Tuscan top/rear screen combo even better.
MC
edited to add comments on original
>> Edited by MajorClanger on Thursday 15th May 12:06
I saw a chap put the roof down on his Z3 the other day (yes - amazing but true, they do occasionally put their roofs down). He just unclipped two catches and then literally threw the hood over his shoulder.
I quite like the idea of that.
Having said that, the hard roof panel never ceases to impress people for some reason, especially several Elise owners I have met.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 15th May 12:19
I quite like the idea of that.
Having said that, the hard roof panel never ceases to impress people for some reason, especially several Elise owners I have met.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 15th May 12:19
The rigid panel is a masterpiece of design if you ask me, and wasn't it instrumental in the design award the Griff received?
With practice it can be stowed or refitted in less than 30 seconds - unless you have a boot full of crap.
It doesn't billow out like a rag top (yuk).
OK, its not perfect. A bit more thought would have seen the struts clearing the suspension tunnels so the back would go down flat, and the boot openings could be a little wider (even in the fat arsed Chim). Personally I wouldn't want a glass rear section as you'd get a "porthole".
With practice it can be stowed or refitted in less than 30 seconds - unless you have a boot full of crap.
It doesn't billow out like a rag top (yuk).
OK, its not perfect. A bit more thought would have seen the struts clearing the suspension tunnels so the back would go down flat, and the boot openings could be a little wider (even in the fat arsed Chim). Personally I wouldn't want a glass rear section as you'd get a "porthole".
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