Carbon Fibre Sunroofs (1987-2003)
Discussion
I'm currently looking into the possibility of getting some carbon fibre sunroofs made up to replace the glass (and solid) roof on all Stevens shaped Esprits (1987-2003).
This will be the same size and shape as the glass roof and have the same fixings. Will be much lighter and less breakable, will also reduce the greenhouse effect inside the cockpit. It will be
supplied in plain Carbon Fibre, so you can either leave it as is, or have is painted body colour.
I'm currently trying to find out how many people would be interested in purchasing one. The more people the cheaper the price. Maximum price will be £400. But with the interest already I think it's looking more like £300.
Only real issue is the fixings. You'll either use the current ones or purchase new ones. This will affect the price, as will postage!
I'm looking for around £100 refundable deposits to get the moulds made if we get enough interest. Also looking at getting some companies involve if interest in being one of the first is poor.
If you are interested, email kato@l... Please tell me which model you have, which roof, what year, a maximum cost you would pay (roof only) and what country you live in.
I look forward to the response, as if this goes well, other carbon fibre parts could be in the pipeline.
kato
Lotus Esprit World
I agree with the spoiler not lasting long, Calvin, but if it was made of CF (because of the inherent cross hatching and patterns) I belive that scratches would be less noticeable.
Maybe the solution to the "long lasting problem" would be to make the 9x - 01 spoiler out of some sort of hard but flexible rubber?
I just think that, cosmetically, a CF lip spoiler would look fantastic, vis-a-vis the type on the CLK-GTR:
ErnestM
Edited to put in appropriate years, the 02 and 03 are already flexible rubber (with a crunchy fibreglass top
)
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 2nd July 17:11
Maybe the solution to the "long lasting problem" would be to make the 9x - 01 spoiler out of some sort of hard but flexible rubber?
I just think that, cosmetically, a CF lip spoiler would look fantastic, vis-a-vis the type on the CLK-GTR:
ErnestM
Edited to put in appropriate years, the 02 and 03 are already flexible rubber (with a crunchy fibreglass top
) >> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 2nd July 17:11
Hi Ian,
I never cared much for how the car looks with the roof off; it looks like there's a part missing. Not to mention that the wind-deflector included with our cars is one ill-fitting piece of kit.
What I'd really like to see is somebody develop a wind-deflector replacement that covers all four sides of the roof opening. It would look similar to the standard composite roof panel and use the same mounting hardware. It would have the raised lip in the front to deflect turbulence and all the edges would drip over the rubber seal to conceal the unfinished looking cavity formed when the regular roof panel is removed.
Does anybody else share my interest?
Cheers,
Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com
I never cared much for how the car looks with the roof off; it looks like there's a part missing. Not to mention that the wind-deflector included with our cars is one ill-fitting piece of kit.
What I'd really like to see is somebody develop a wind-deflector replacement that covers all four sides of the roof opening. It would look similar to the standard composite roof panel and use the same mounting hardware. It would have the raised lip in the front to deflect turbulence and all the edges would drip over the rubber seal to conceal the unfinished looking cavity formed when the regular roof panel is removed.
Does anybody else share my interest?
Cheers,
Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com
karlfranz said:
Hi Ian,
I never cared much for how the car looks with the roof off; it looks like there's a part missing. Not to mention that the wind-deflector included with our cars is one ill-fitting piece of kit.
What I'd really like to see is somebody develop a wind-deflector replacement that covers all four sides of the roof opening. It would look similar to the standard composite roof panel and use the same mounting hardware. It would have the raised lip in the front to deflect turbulence and all the edges would drip over the rubber seal to conceal the unfinished looking cavity formed when the regular roof panel is removed.
Does anybody else share my interest?
Cheers,
Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com
Yes I like the idea a lot!!!. You could take a mould off the original roof panel, pour resin and cheap fibreglass in the mould. When set, pull it out, cut out a nice shape in the middle ie right to the edges as you suggested. Use the same fixings as per standard roof panel. Next you fabricate a streamlined deflector to the front you can make it perhaps out of balsa wood or similar. After you have the perfect shape take a mould off that and fill it with carbon fibre for strength, you could use the kevlar look for mustard colour cars, this would be cool. Or just plain fibreglass it and paint same colour as car. The down side to this design is that the current fitting is small and handy which is easily hidden in the rear boot. Well thats where mine lives. If you carry lots of stuff in your boot, this new thingy would have to stay at home.
Just my 50cents.
Cheers
Kylie
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