Carbonfibre Sunroof Availible soon!

[superdave]

I will be making a carbonfbire sunroof for the stevens shape to replace the glass element due to the interest made over last few weeks. I've always fancied one myself and have already gathered a small group of people willing to part with a small deposit. The mould is being made this week and I whould have a sunroof made by next week if not sooner.
For the first few customers, I have sold them at cost price in return for them parting with a deposit to help me make the mould.
Once up and running, I will sell them to whoever wants one. Furthermore, the open sunroof with a lip on the front will also be developed if the CF sunroof is suceccful. Many people have asked fro this version to hide the ugly rubber when the roof is out.
Due to obvious reasons, I can't advertise on this forum but expext to pay a lot less than recent prices floating about as it's only a hobby.
My e-mail address is [e-mail] for prices. Also on a good note, people won't have to wait for batches etc, they can be made to order usually in about a week to ten days delivered (UK).

Cheers,



Dave Walters

[karlfranz]

Hi Dave,

I was the one who suggested the open sunroof option. Please keep me posted when you do this, I would be interested in one for my car.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com

[kylie]

Way to go Dave I rekon its cool people having the motivation to make stuff. Think its great.
Looking forward to some pics soon.
Cheers
Kylie

[superdave]

karlfranz said:

Hi Dave, I was the one who suggested the open sunroof option. Please keep me posted when you do this, I would be interested in one for my car. Cheers, Karl-Franz :-) [url] www.espritfactfile.com|www.espritfactfile.com[/url]

Hi Karl,

Yes I do remember noe, it was you who suggested this.
The problem is that I've had a few people interested but I think some people have different ideas what it'll look like. Some people have suggested a shower cap on top as well?? Not sure how that works, I think they will have to sort that one out themselves.
The way I thought was basically a CF roof with a hole where the inside of the rubber seal is and a flange folding down to trim it neatly. Then there would be a desceet integral lip at the front.
initially owner would have to use their existing fitments unless they wish to purchase the fitting kit which can turn out to be quite costly (Lotus parts again). I would be worth it as you want to be able to swap them in minutes. The handles and brackets weren't designed to be taken apart time and time again.
At the moment though, I want to see if the CF sunroof is sucessful enough to warrant making this roof. At the end of the day, I don't want to run before I start learning to walk, so lessons can be learned when making the full roof.
I have one confirmed person for this new type of open roof today.
I'll keep you posted on the full roof project first with some pics hopefully in the next week.

Cheers,


Dave Walters

[superdave]

I have been asked quite a lot about the open roof. As for pricing Iam not sure because though the area of CF or GRP is less the hassle of getting the mould right and having to make it up as we go will add to the costs.
The question Iam asking is that the full CF roofs will retail for approx £225-£250 ish. What would people consider to be the right price for the open roof, bare without fitments?
I need some feedback to see if it's worth making. As I've said in some of my replies to individuals is that I don't particularly want one myself, only doing because of the demand.

Thanks,


Dave Walters

[karlfranz]

superdave said:

The way I thought was basically a CF roof with a hole where the inside of the rubber seal is and a flange folding down to trim it neatly. Then there would be a discreet integral lip at the front.

That is how I have always envisioned it. The current wind deflector already has the small flange folding down (to cover the rubber seal) as you described. The open roof would have this around all sides.

I would use the mounting tabs and latched from my composite roof since I mostly use my glass roof these days anyway.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz :-)

[superdave]

As soon as the full roof is sorted and the service is right then I will get an open roof knocked up to put on LEW site for people to view.
I have already had a good handful of people interested and someone wanting to buy from from Japan.


Cheers,



Dave Walters

[superdave]

Update, the moulds are now made and are currently being polished. There are two moulds now. The design has somewhat changed, so the CF roof now is an exact copy of the glass roof without any lip and glass finish both sides. Apparently there is going to be two extra layers of CF going in to give more rigidity. I will have a roof made up this week. I will post as soon as it's made.

[Alanslotus]

Dave,
A lot of people have been talking about wanting a CF roof panel. Now that you're producing one at a very reasonable price, they can save their car from turning into a sauna. It would be of greatest use to our cousins in the US. Prepare to be deluged with enquiries once you post the pics of the prototype.
Kind regards
Alan

[benfell100]

This cf roof will be cool, literally. I intend to have mine painted on top and the edges in calypso and then possibly have some leather stuck onto the underside as a luxury. maybe. Either way it will help keep the car cool, add to safety in a crash due to no glass in your eyes and some tough protection overhead and be as light as a fairy's FART. Chapman would be smiling at the thought. I guess I should have done long ago what Superdave is doing now as I had planned it exactly as it is happening, ie exact replica of the glass but in several layers of tough cf, but I simply haven't had the time/been too bleedin' lazy.
Rock on Dave. You have my deposit, shout me when you need he rest. This mod will sell more as time goes on I suspect. Much like Alan's sills and gear surrounds. Keep up the good work fellas.
Dom

[superdave]

Thanks Dom, I can't wait to get my hands on the roof.
May I suggested an idea? Why not try your roof for a few weeks or a month or so as the carbon finish? It may grow on you and you'll certainly attrach more attention with other owners. If you still want to paint it then you can do this during the winter months.

Update, slight hitch is that it's taking a little longer than I thought. The moulds were supposed to be polished by now but no joy. I'll keep the pressure on and hopefully by the end of this week I'll have something in my hand.
I suppose because this is the first batch, things like this can be expected seeing as they are making the mould. Once it's all finalised then they have no excuse.
PNM should be able to supply the fitments to people should they want to be able to use both roofs without changing the fitments all the time. They reckon they can source them cheaper than Lotus can, so fingers crossed. Deal with them direct.
Keep you updated.