Automatic roof on a chim ?
Discussion
I would love the roof on my chim to be automatic. With the weather here changing every 5 minutes, it would make life soooo much easier. Also when you have loads of luggage in the trunk, loading and unloading all this to remove/refit the roof is a major PITA.
Anyone here feel the same ? Or even better , know of a dealer / modder that does this sort of thing ?
cheers,
Edwin.
Anyone here feel the same ? Or even better , know of a dealer / modder that does this sort of thing ?
cheers,
Edwin.
I'd expect it to be horrendously expensive and remove a large amount of boot space.
You'd have to re-model the roof to a sort of hinged, sinlge piece assembly, add motors etc., re-model the rear of the car to allow the roof section enter the boot...
Don't forget that the roof doesn't drop in square as it is.
You'd have to re-model the roof to a sort of hinged, sinlge piece assembly, add motors etc., re-model the rear of the car to allow the roof section enter the boot...
Don't forget that the roof doesn't drop in square as it is.
v8ed said:
SNIPPITY.....I would love the roof on my chim to be automatic. ........ know of a dealer / modder that does this sort of thing ? SNIP
cheers,
Edwin.
Quite simply the work involved would be horrendous - on the other hand, the simple solution is to trade it in for a "CC" Peugeot/Renault/VW/tin-box bling-mobile". Not that useful a response tho' !!
I discussed this idea with leven some tome ago and he said it was possible but thought it might not be financially viable. I think that chimaera owners who use their cars as I do for touring holidays abroad with the boot fully loaded with luggage would pay sensible sum of money for a proper convertible roof that dropped behind seats. I wouldnt mind if it was only manual opereation but would like to avoid removing luggage when I want hood up . I know we would probably lose space behind seat but boot could be loaded better without roof section.
I think when people look to buy TVRs roof system could put them off if they have looked at alternative makes with proper convertible hoods
I think when people look to buy TVRs roof system could put them off if they have looked at alternative makes with proper convertible hoods
Someone should have a go at designing a soft fabric section to fit in where the targa panel goes, like on the lotus elise, it would then just fold up neatly and can be stored anywhere, this would be ideal for the summer and then the hard targa section can be put back in for the winter.
Paul
Paul
zzr1200 said:It's been mooted several times on PH over the years, but nobody has taken it any further as far as I am aware.
Someone should have a go at designing a soft fabric section to fit in where the targa panel goes, like on the lotus elise, it would then just fold up neatly and can be stored anywhere, this would be ideal for the summer and then the hard targa section can be put back in for the winter.
See what I mean now?
This sort of question would never get asked on the Griff forum. What next? "My handbag doesnt fit in the make up pocket behind the door opener, can anyone recommend a new hand bag?"
don't worry I'm joking. But wouldnt a power roof add a wholeload of weight and some of the characteristics of the car? If not, then I'll have one!
>> Edited by Big Al. on Monday 2nd August 15:44
This sort of question would never get asked on the Griff forum. What next? "My handbag doesnt fit in the make up pocket behind the door opener, can anyone recommend a new hand bag?"
don't worry I'm joking. But wouldnt a power roof add a wholeload of weight and some of the characteristics of the car? If not, then I'll have one!
>> Edited by Big Al. on Monday 2nd August 15:44
zzr1200 said:
Someone should have a go at designing a soft fabric section to fit in where the targa panel goes, like on the lotus elise, it would then just fold up neatly and can be stored anywhere, this would be ideal for the summer and then the hard targa section can be put back in for the winter.
Paul
i toyed with this idea a couple of years ago, but as i couldn't make a stick out of a length of tree, decided not to bother
my idea involved a criss-cross hinge system so it'd be quick to install/remove (unlike the Elise roof).
I don't have one of these. It must be something special to Griffs. It's probably where you're intended to keep spare tacks for securing the chest wig 
.My idea was a rigid bar front and back to make a good seal against the windscreen and targa hoop (respectively) and two braces either side to tension it and hence trap it between the two like the hard top does.
However, I don't think you could make it sufficiently rigid to prevent it blowing out at speed.
The other thing we talked about was a replacement hard panel made of polycarbonate. It would give you that top-down targa feeling whilst still being roof up.
(Yes, yes, I know all the Griff owners wouldn't need anything like this due to the warmth from their chest wigs / size of their huge testicles
)
However, I don't think you could make it sufficiently rigid to prevent it blowing out at speed.
The other thing we talked about was a replacement hard panel made of polycarbonate. It would give you that top-down targa feeling whilst still being roof up.
(Yes, yes, I know all the Griff owners wouldn't need anything like this due to the warmth from their chest wigs / size of their huge testicles
)Personally I think the idea Toyota had with the first two MR2 T-bars was the best solution. The two halves popped off and were stored behind the seats. It does leave a centre bar going across but that would be a small price to pay for not having to empty the luggage from the boot every time you want the roof off. I rarely drop the soft part for fear of creasing the plastic anyway.
Ivan
Ivan
Ribol said:
I rarely drop the soft part for fear of creasing the plastic anyway.
I find it's a much more pleasant 
with the hood back and windows down...less buffeting...plus you can hear the 'Rice Krispies' (snap crackle and pop...well crackle and pop anyway
) from the exhausts 
Hmmmmm...anyone I see with an Auto roof never has it down while the sun is out...what does that tell ya
Stu.
red.
Ribol said:
Personally I think the idea Toyota had with the first two MR2 T-bars was the best solution. The two halves popped off and were stored behind the seats. It does leave a centre bar going across but that would be a small price to pay for not having to empty the luggage from the boot every time you want the roof off. I rarely drop the soft part for fear of creasing the plastic anyway.
Ivan
Get some "303 aerospace protectant" from the Polishing Company (link in the PH links) and your hood will never crease again.
Amazing stuff, makes the rear window so so soft I can now pop the back section up and down from the drivers seat.
You can also use it to clean and UVprotect everything else on the car too and its cheap.
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