Slick Manoeuvres

[Bianca]

Hi

Thought I'd get some advice on Slick-Manoeuvres-for-getting-the-Chimaera-roof-into-the-Boot.

I seem to try every different combination and only get the roof in the boot after a 15 minute struggle. And with weather like this, I'd rather spend the 15 minutes behind the wheel instead of standing behind the car....

Thanks!

[dodgyviper]

Right then -

My procedure is

Roof off - from the drivers side.

Stand at back of car with roof in vertical position with the felt to my chest. Left hand underneath and right hand on top.

Tilt forward approx 30 degrees and the left handside down 45 degrees.

Slide into bottom left hand corner of boot making sure the righthand edge is 3 or 4 inches above the paintwork.

Lower the right hand edge once it has cleared the boot lip.

er thats it. Takes about 30 seconds.

Would recommend placing a towel/cloth on the righthandside to protect the paintwork.

(possibly the same towel that a few people use in the folded rear window to stop it creasing)

Oh and lastly - apply sunscreen whilst ensuring your most waterproofed jacket is tucked behind the passenger seat.

[Nuggs]

Agree with dodgy, lefthand side in first (top of roof facing rear of car). Make sure there's nothing obstructing roof in boot. Robert's in the family. I'd also strongly recommend using the roof bag that came with the car - I scratched the carbon weave on an exposed part of the petrol tank when I decided not to use the bag.

Have to say I'm very surprised that (i) you find it difficult and (ii) it takes you so long...

[The Surveyor]

Don't buy a Griffith then, it'll take you hours..

[Bianca]

Nuggs said:

Have to say I'm very surprised that (i) you find it difficult and (ii) it takes you so long...

Err, what can I say, blonde I guess... and perhaps I the 15 minutes was a slight exaggeration, but it does seem to take a few attempts.

Good call on the roof bag... I was wondering what that bag in the boot was for

[j8 tro]

Make sure the front of the roof, which attaches above the windscreen is at the top when putting it in the boot. (i.e. back of roof which fits into the targa is on the boot floor) and the inside face (i.e carbon face is on the fuel tank side).
The small chamfers on the front edge give you that little more room when putting the last corner into the boot.
ALWAYS USE THE BAG, THE ONE TIME YOU DONT YOU'LL REGRET IT.

[Bianca]

And PS Thanks for the tips dodgy... will print out the instructions, bring the protractor and have a go

[v41ley]

j8 tro said:

ALWAYS USE THE BAG, THE ONE TIME YOU DONT YOU'LL REGRET IT.

I never got a bag - are they available someplace ?

[FlipFlopGriff]

Got a Griff and it is more awkward but worth it. Never used a bag - far too much hassle.
Everyday use so the roof is off like a whores draws. Not applicable to Chim owners.
FFG (runs to take cover -although roof off so no cover)

[pzero64]

The roof comes off?

[Big Al.]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Got a Griff and it is more awkward but worth it. Never used a bag - far too much hassle. Everyday use so the roof is off like a whores draws. Not applicable to Chim owners. FFG (runs to take cover -although roof off so no cover)

If you got a colour coded roof, (other than a dark colour) get a bag, the rubber boot suround will mark it when you stow.

[dodgyviper]

Bianca said:

And PS Thanks for the tips dodgy... will print out the instructions, bring the protractor and have a go

A pleasure.

Of course a true professional like me no longer does it that way.

The roof can be inserted into the boot from a distance of at least 11ft with enough practice.

Not too good at it with my eyes closed though.

PS Anybody want to buy a Pristine Chim - hardly a scratch, honest.







Like hell I'm selling it - they'll have to pry my cold dead fingers offa the steering wheel and it'll be a rictus grin, not a tvr one

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Always pop it in the bag first (saves the graunches on the top of the wing)

After ten years practice I reckon less than 1.5 mins.

as long as there's not too much in the boot

[2 Smokin Barrels]

bigdods said:

hmmm...well never used the bag and doesnt seem to have done any harm to the roof (its dark blue). Dodsy

It's not the roof that gets damaged, its the top of the rear wing. Next time you're in the company of a bunch of Chimaeras do a study, you'll see what I mean.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

puffsorted on another thread said:

Body is excellent with very few stone chips, there are few minor nicks out near the boot where someone has been careless with the roof.

[SharkyTVR]

Agree with the DodgyViper technique, with one exception.

When you hold the panel vertically (with fabric towards you), put your right hand on the side of the panel, not the top. You should put your hand about 8 inches from the top of the panel. If you do this, when you place the panel into the boot, and then start to rotate it so that the panel goes to the left of the boot, it will be your right hand that touches the rear wing panel, not the panel. Hence, no damage.

Thanks to Simon at Fernhurst for the lesson.

[bigdods]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

bigdods said: hmmm...well never used the bag and doesnt seem to have done any harm to the roof (its dark blue). Dodsy It's not the roof that gets damaged, its the top of the rear wing. Next time you're in the company of a bunch of Chimaeras do a study, you'll see what I mean.

I was lucky, bought my Chim about 5 months ago and it came with a full set of roof related rear wing dents on both sides (why both sides god alone knows) so I havent had to do anything to add that extra bit of character to the rear end ;-)



>> Edited by bigdods on Sunday 30th October 20:47

[zumbruk]

When I find the round tuit, I was going to put strips of Armafend down either side of the boot opening to protect them from the roof. My Chim came with dealer fit chips in the paintwork there, so I'll need to get those fixed first.

And the bag would be a lot easier to use if it opened down the long side, then you could drop the rear section and slide the bag over the roof with it hanging off the windscreen top rail.

[M@H]

Happily I have no problems whatsoever with mine.. about a 10-15 second job, however I put this mainly down to removing the spare wheel which seemed to make it a right pain to do. Right-hand corner in first then a bit of a twiddle and the left corner goes in, satying that I find it harder with the roof in the bag and tend not to bother with it.

Cheers
Matt