SO...Why do so many of you do this???!
Discussion
Ok, all, im quite well known for posting but only in the wedge forum, so excuse me for a funny first post in this section!
Why do SO SO SO many tvr owners (and i have to say its mostly Chim drivers) leave either the whole roof up, or almost as bad leave the rear section up for the 'targa' look?!
It looks so silly! My friend always does this on his 400 Chim and this week on a blast, the wind ripped the stiching on the screen!
So come on, why is this?! On the wedge its roof off unless its REALLY raining!!!
Look forward to hearing your thoughts!


Why do SO SO SO many tvr owners (and i have to say its mostly Chim drivers) leave either the whole roof up, or almost as bad leave the rear section up for the 'targa' look?!

It looks so silly! My friend always does this on his 400 Chim and this week on a blast, the wind ripped the stiching on the screen!

So come on, why is this?! On the wedge its roof off unless its REALLY raining!!!
Look forward to hearing your thoughts!


I normally take the whole lot off but sometimes leave the rear up to act as a windblocker. I'm not going to stop doing it because some whiny wedge owner thinks it looks silly. 
I've seen someone post asking why people take the tops off but leave the windows wound up, arguing that looks daft too.
People do what they want with their cars.

I've seen someone post asking why people take the tops off but leave the windows wound up, arguing that looks daft too.
People do what they want with their cars.
You have clearly not met Bob, "Mad Bob", the Planner.
During a thunderous downpour just after BTaP 1:
"Call this rain? Pah, I'm taking the roof off." (Proceeds to do so and then hoon off...)
Me? Its my roof and I'll put it in the boot whenever I like and I'll leave it on the car whenever I like.
Some of the reasons are, though:
To be honest the TVR hard roof panel system is a bit crap in comparison to modern electrically operated folding roofs (hard or soft!) but its not terrible either and has the advantage of being very light and was inexpensive to design and manufacture.
During a thunderous downpour just after BTaP 1:
"Call this rain? Pah, I'm taking the roof off." (Proceeds to do so and then hoon off...)
Me? Its my roof and I'll put it in the boot whenever I like and I'll leave it on the car whenever I like.
Some of the reasons are, though:- The boot is full. Quite possibly with two sets of golf clubs in cart bags. Roof won't fit as well.
- I just couldn't be arsed that morning as work is only five minutes away.
To be honest the TVR hard roof panel system is a bit crap in comparison to modern electrically operated folding roofs (hard or soft!) but its not terrible either and has the advantage of being very light and was inexpensive to design and manufacture.
I have a Chim and only drive with the back of the roof down in really hot weather. It is comfortable to drive with the targa off even on quite chilly days. No problems with my roof stitching at high speed but it is a 2000 model, maybe your mates one was older.
Sounds like you might be a fair bit younger than me and don't mind the cold. Me, I'm not afraid to say that I like my creature comforts and enjoy going out with the roof on if the weather/temparature dictates.
I have to say that the less roof the better the exhaust sounds!



Sounds like you might be a fair bit younger than me and don't mind the cold. Me, I'm not afraid to say that I like my creature comforts and enjoy going out with the roof on if the weather/temparature dictates.

I have to say that the less roof the better the exhaust sounds!




Don said:
You have clearly not met Bob, "Mad Bob", the Planner.
During a thunderous downpour just after BTaP 1:
"Call this rain? Pah, I'm taking the roof off." (Proceeds to do so and then hoon off...)
...or Psychobert.During a thunderous downpour just after BTaP 1:
"Call this rain? Pah, I'm taking the roof off." (Proceeds to do so and then hoon off...)
The man drove from Bristol to Northampton in December, in the tipping rain, with temperatures hitting a heady -2oC.
In fact, thinking about it, I'm not sure if his car has a roof..?
haha, already some interesting comments!
I'm 23, and in all fairness i dont feel the cold too badly! I think i must have got it from dad, driving in december in the Ultima Spyder wearing a coat and sunnies-FRESH doesnt even begin to cover it!!
I find the rear screen makes almost no difference, except soak up exhaust noise!
Do i get the feeling this post might make me lots of friends who want to come and say hello at Rockingham??!
Wyn (PWD95) I think your wedge has the same 'Kill Switch' as mine!
I'm 23, and in all fairness i dont feel the cold too badly! I think i must have got it from dad, driving in december in the Ultima Spyder wearing a coat and sunnies-FRESH doesnt even begin to cover it!!

I find the rear screen makes almost no difference, except soak up exhaust noise!

Do i get the feeling this post might make me lots of friends who want to come and say hello at Rockingham??!

Wyn (PWD95) I think your wedge has the same 'Kill Switch' as mine!
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 25th July 10:18
Fnah!
TVR with roof on - daft!
The TVR roof is brilliant. Goes up or down in seconds. Very clever, lovely, simple design. A little simlar, of course, to the 70s Lancia Beta Spyder design by Pininfarina, but with that car the steel 'roll-over' support section stays in place.
When I first got my Wedge, it was roof off every time - and still is! Usually with windows down. First TVRCC meet I went to - roof off as normal. Started raining - roof stayed off!
I've only had to put the roof up for a wimp passenger, when I would have been happy to continue qwith it down.
Wimp Chimps
TVR with roof on - daft!
The TVR roof is brilliant. Goes up or down in seconds. Very clever, lovely, simple design. A little simlar, of course, to the 70s Lancia Beta Spyder design by Pininfarina, but with that car the steel 'roll-over' support section stays in place.
When I first got my Wedge, it was roof off every time - and still is! Usually with windows down. First TVRCC meet I went to - roof off as normal. Started raining - roof stayed off!
I've only had to put the roof up for a wimp passenger, when I would have been happy to continue qwith it down.
Wimp Chimps
A design fault with the Chim is that, when the rear hood is down, all you can see in the rear-view mirror is the interior light and the header rail. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what is directly behind me. The irritating thing is that it feels more blustery at high speed with the back up than down.
Derek Smith said:
A design fault with the Chim is that, when the rear hood is down, all you can see in the rear-view mirror is the interior light and the header rail. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what is directly behind me. The irritating thing is that it feels more blustery at high speed with the back up than down.
Varies from car to car - in typical TVR style 
Derek Smith said:
A design fault with the Chim is that, when the rear hood is down, all you can see in the rear-view mirror is the interior light and the header rail. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what is directly behind me. The irritating thing is that it feels more blustery at high speed with the back up than down.
I cant say i have time to look behind me...!!!! 
matt-man said:
Derek Smith said:
A design fault with the Chim is that, when the rear hood is down, all you can see in the rear-view mirror is the interior light and the header rail. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what is directly behind me. The irritating thing is that it feels more blustery at high speed with the back up than down.
I cant say i have time to look behind me...!!!! 

Don said:
To be honest the TVR hard roof panel system is a bit crap in comparison to modern electrically operated folding roofs (hard or soft!) but its not terrible either and has the advantage of being very light and was inexpensive to design and manufacture.
I can't believe you said this. Most hard folding roofs take up so much boot space they're impractical and all that extra weight has no place in a performance car.Let's see how long this fad lasts.
Derek Smith said:
A design fault with the Chim is that, when the rear hood is down, all you can see in the rear-view mirror is the interior light and the header rail. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what is directly behind me. The irritating thing is that it feels more blustery at high speed with the back up than down.
Not if you put it down properly, I can see over it with the rear view no problem. Having said that I'm not usually worried by whats behind me ;-)Occassionally go totally topless if really nice weather.
Mainly, I can't be arsed to take it off. Car looks as good with the roof up IMO. Its for driving, not tanning.
eta - and before anybody asks me why I bought a 'soft top' griffith, its because they never made any other sort and I had to have a Griffith.
Mainly, I can't be arsed to take it off. Car looks as good with the roof up IMO. Its for driving, not tanning.

eta - and before anybody asks me why I bought a 'soft top' griffith, its because they never made any other sort and I had to have a Griffith.

Edited by lazyitus on Wednesday 25th July 12:31
Christ, it's the roof police. I thought we disbanded them years ago.
Try using your TVR EVERY DAY as your ONLY CAR and leave the car outside overnight. Then come back after 6 years and tell me if you take the roof for EVERY journey.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but the only people who I've ever met who whinge about your roof being up always use their TVR as a second or third car.
Ian A.
Try using your TVR EVERY DAY as your ONLY CAR and leave the car outside overnight. Then come back after 6 years and tell me if you take the roof for EVERY journey.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but the only people who I've ever met who whinge about your roof being up always use their TVR as a second or third car.
Ian A.
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