Tuscan Convertible - Roof will not fit in boot!!!

[Ironman]

Hi Guys
Out with the missus the other day, ten miles down the road and she asks if the roof is in the boot whilst pointing at a patch of dark clouds!!

About turn to get the targa section, only to find it will not fit in the boot.

Haven't had the car long, so did the usual - read the book, phoned a friend but it will physically not fit without forcing it, which I will not do as you can see the previous owner has obviously had a go.

I am definetely placing it in the correct way, but the back rear corner(front lip pointing aft)on the drivers side wont go down and there is no room for any movement to jiggle. And we are talking tight.

I have spoken to the dealership where I purchased the car who were very helpful, but also suggested posting on here, to see if anyone else can come up with some help/suggestions.

Seen the posts about splitting the roof sections but don't really want to go down that route, has anyone had any modifications done for an easier fit??
Am I missing something??

Would be more than thankful for any help on this one.

Cheers

IM

[OatSy]

Is your car a damaged repaired?

[so called]

On my Mk1 it was a tight fit which required some force and always had a detrimental effect on the rubber seals.
On my Mk2 convertible its even tighter and I have scratched my paint work. Its a pain and I am thinking of getting a trimmer to do some mods to my boot carpet which I think is adding to the difficulties.

[Tamster.]

Ironman said:

Hi Guys
Out with the missus the other day, ten miles down the road and she asks if the roof is in the boot whilst pointing at a patch of dark clouds!!

About turn to get the targa section, only to find it will not fit in the boot.

Haven't had the car long, so did the usual - read the book, phoned a friend but it will physically not fit without forcing it, which I will not do as you can see the previous owner has obviously had a go.

I am definetely placing it in the correct way, but the back rear corner(front lip pointing aft)on the drivers side wont go down and there is no room for any movement to jiggle. And we are talking tight.

I have spoken to the dealership where I purchased the car who were very helpful, but also suggested posting on here, to see if anyone else can come up with some help/suggestions.

Seen the posts about splitting the roof sections but don't really want to go down that route, has anyone had any modifications done for an easier fit??
Am I missing something??

Would be more than thankful for any help on this one.

Cheers

IM

Mine was a very tight fit until the ledge which the roof sit's on was trimmed and lowered on the driver's side, are you putting the driver's side of the roof in first?





The ledge height seem's to vary on different car's..

[md23]

It is tight and I know what you mean about the effect on the rubber seals (mine clearly showing wear from the roof having been forced in)... I've only had the Tuscan for a month and decided to try taking the roof off on Saturday. Getting the damn thing off on your own is a PITA itself but getting it in the boot was just too difficult so I gave up and put back on (which is even harder to do on your own than taking it off!). Just glad I attempted frome the safety of the garage!

Sorry to OP, I know this doesn't help much but you're not alone...

[rens914]

i'm not sure if youre talking of taking the top off or placing it in the boot
did you go to a tvr workshop or dealer to have them point you out what to do
people have problems taking the top off (handles won't go down) but never have heard anyone complain about not beiing able to put the top in the boot
you must be doing something "different".
are you sure you are putting the backside in first
rens

[Ironman]

OatSy said:

Is your car a damaged repaired?

Hi

No not a damage repaired job, all as was/is from factory.

TAMSTER - Interesting photos, cheers! Looking at mine I think that has to be the answer.
I am fitting passenger side but that last corner on the drivers side is a no no. I am sure it would go but damage to the bodywork would definetely be on the cards. If I was to retrim and lower the passenger side just above the petrol tank filling pipe that could do the trick, just to move the targa panel 10-15mm to the left.

Glad to hear I am not alone on this one, absolute pain, at least the weather should stay dry the rest of this week!

[Ironman]

rens914 said:

i'm not sure if youre talking of taking the top off or placing it in the boot
did you go to a tvr workshop or dealer to have them point you out what to do
people have problems taking the top off (handles won't go down) but never have heard anyone complain about not beiing able to put the top in the boot
you must be doing something "different".
are you sure you are putting the backside in first
rens

Hi
Placing my tuscan convertible roof in the boot
Yeah definetely placing the backside in first.
TVR Workshop - That will be the next step, as my last ditto, retrimming of the boot might have to be the answer.
My mistake not to ask for a physical demonstration when I bought the car, but was given a good run down of what's what.
As I mentioned, I am loathe to force anything.

Cheers
IM

[Tamster.]

Ironman said:

OatSy said:

Is your car a damaged repaired?

Hi

No not a damage repaired job, all as was/is from factory.

TAMSTER - Interesting photos, cheers! Looking at mine I think that has to be the answer.
I am fitting passenger side but that last corner on the drivers side is a no no. I am sure it would go but damage to the bodywork would definetely be on the cards. If I was to retrim and lower the passenger side just above the petrol tank filling pipe that could do the trick, just to move the targa panel 10-15mm to the left.

Glad to hear I am not alone on this one, absolute pain, at least the weather should stay dry the rest of this week!

Ironman, you can use a medium sized electrical cutter's to trim away the fibreglass on either side of the ledge, have heard of some removing the ledge altogether!

I usually put the driver's side part of the roof in first, has made a big difference trimming the ledge height down though, roof is stowed away in second's rather than minute's!

[flashheart59]

Having had both a Mk1 and MkII vert I share your frustrations with this but before you cut anything off have a look at http://www.mytuscan.co.uk/downloads.php and have a look at the roof stowage instructions. The MkII is even tighter and seems impossible to get in but with the right technique it will slot with quite amazing ease which I'm sure yours will too. It just only goes in one way and no matter of force will work (although very tempting!) Good luck and hope that helps.

[glow worm]

As Tamster says, but really the flap above the petrol tank (where the tank sensor is, some people store tyre weld there...I'd recommend NOT..since that will not help ) should fit flush..The fibreglass section on the drivers side should slot into the gap..should only need to cut it off if you can't push it down. It's not more difficult than a Chim roof,, just a bit of a knack....

Convertibles are nothing like Targas so ignore any remarks about MK 1 and Mk2s.. And the trouble with TVRs own guide (as on Tuscan website) is that they put the roof in the wong way round....The cutout should at the rear, so it sits on the posts....As usual TVR couldn't even write their own instructions correctly.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 15th June 17:34

[Ironman]

flashheart59 said:

Having had both a Mk1 and MkII vert I share your frustrations with this but before you cut anything off have a look at http://www.mytuscan.co.uk/downloads.php and have a look at the roof stowage instructions. The MkII is even tighter and seems impossible to get in but with the right technique it will slot with quite amazing ease which I'm sure yours will too. It just only goes in one way and no matter of force will work (although very tempting!) Good luck and hope that helps.

Hi
Many thanks for this link!! Just been out in the garage, and roof fell in!! Well felt like it did after todays attempts!!
Glow worm as you say, bit of knack to say the least, glad you mentioned about putting the roof in the right way round , at least I got that bit right!!

Just wish the previous owner had taken more care, not to worry, nothing a new boot seal won't sort!!

Many many thanks for all the help

Cheers

IM

[so called]

glow worm said:

Convertibles are nothing like Targas so ignore any remarks about MK 1 and Mk2s.. And the trouble with TVRs own guide (as on Tuscan website) is that they put the roof in the wong way round....The cutout should at the rear, so it sits on the posts....As usual TVR couldn't even write their own instructions correctly.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 15th June 17:34

Hi Glow worm, Having had a Mk1 Targa Tuscan and now a Mk2 convertible Tuscan I cant agree with your point above. Both roof sections seem to be the same size and go in (or dont) the same way round. Certainly some boot differences internally with light pods etc but I cant say there is a difference with the roof and the installation in the boot.

[Arj]

Ironman said:

I have spoken to the dealership where I purchased the car who were very helpful, but also suggested posting on here, to see if anyone else can come up with some help/suggestions.

Which dealer was that? Was it a TVR dealer? They should have demonstrated to you how to handle the roof. If they didn't know, they should have checked with other dealers or on Pistonheads themselves. I'm sure they were happy to take your money when you bought the car, so in return they should at least be able to explain to you how to use it. No matter how friendly they are, telling a customer to go on an Internet forum to find an answer to a question is just code for "sorry, we can't be asked"...

so called said:

Both roof sections seem to be the same size and go in (or dont) the same way round. Certainly some boot differences internally with light pods etc but I cant say there is a difference with the roof and the installation in the boot.

I guess it's all about perception of what is a 'difference'. I used to have a MkII targa before my convertible and found that the roof panel was much flatter - if you look at the convertible's roof panel from the side you will see it's higher.

The targa panel can be slotted in straight, whilst the convertible panel needs to be moved in at an angle - the corner on the front-right first (after you have turned the panel horizontally 180 degrees so the cutout is facing you), then slide the roof slowly in towards the right, away from the petrol filler cap. It gets tricky when the roof is almost in and the lip on the left can catch the body. With a bit of practice that should not be a problem though.

Edited by Arj on Wednesday 16th June 09:35

[Ironman]

Arj said:

Ironman said:

I have spoken to the dealership where I purchased the car who were very helpful, but also suggested posting on here, to see if anyone else can come up with some help/suggestions.

Which dealer was that? Was it a TVR dealer? They should have demonstrated to you how to handle the roof. If they didn't know, they should have checked with other dealers or on Pistonheads themselves. I'm sure they were happy to take your money when you bought the car, so in return they should at least be able to explain to you how to use it. No matter how friendly they are, telling a customer to go on an Internet forum to find an answer to a question is just code for "sorry, we can't be asked"...

Hi
Put it like that, very true.
But in all fairness they probably thought I would get a quicker response via the forum (which I did , cheers again guys!!), as they have offered to put together something for me if I didn't have any joy after our initial call.
Anyway I had a great response, which was I very thankful for, and intend to phone the dealership today(TVR Dealership)to tell them to hang fire on sending any info.
As I mentioned earlier, my fault to a greater extent as I was to eager to get the car handed over, I'm sure I'm not alone on that one.


Cheers all the same

IM

[nistock]

Ironman,
Just follow what Arj has said. There is a knack, but once you crack it , there is not really a problem. That said, it was a b----r to get in when I first tried it, to the accompaniment of Anglo-Saxon words! Good luck.

[md23]

I'll have another go (perhaps following instructions) rather than male (who knows everything) instinct...

[froggie]

Hi! Just been out in the garage, and roof fell in!! Well felt like it did after todays attempts!

Just wish the previous owner had taken more care, not to worry,

Cheers

IM
[/quote] Oh dear i do hope your car wasnt in the garage at the time !!!

[Ironman]