Collapsible Targa Roof Panel
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I've been kicking an idea around for a while now which is a collapsible targa roof panel. I won't go into details here because its still just a couple of ideas (and I don't want the idea nicked)
David H has kindly agreed to help with the fabric roof modifications we might need so it will be a professional job.
The idea would be for it to collapse to about the size of say one of the aluminium and nylon chairs you shove into a bag and take to events.
Ideally this will be the summer roof so you can leave the targa in the garage unless you need the added security.
But until we've done the trials I can't say if it may only be a 'limp home' sort of thing if you're caught in the rain, or limited to motorway speeds, or a fit and forget.
Ballistic Banana and I are looking at doing trials in the next couple of months but I'm betting there will be a decent level of interest in this.
What do you reckon? Are we making just a couple of them for me and Simon or is there more interest out there?
How much would you realistically be prepared to pay for such a thing, if it was available in any colour as long as its black?
I've been kicking an idea around for a while now which is a collapsible targa roof panel. I won't go into details here because its still just a couple of ideas (and I don't want the idea nicked)
David H has kindly agreed to help with the fabric roof modifications we might need so it will be a professional job.
The idea would be for it to collapse to about the size of say one of the aluminium and nylon chairs you shove into a bag and take to events.
Ideally this will be the summer roof so you can leave the targa in the garage unless you need the added security.
But until we've done the trials I can't say if it may only be a 'limp home' sort of thing if you're caught in the rain, or limited to motorway speeds, or a fit and forget.
Ballistic Banana and I are looking at doing trials in the next couple of months but I'm betting there will be a decent level of interest in this.
What do you reckon? Are we making just a couple of them for me and Simon or is there more interest out there?
How much would you realistically be prepared to pay for such a thing, if it was available in any colour as long as its black?
Yep , I'd be interested in this. The ability to whip the targa off and stow it on the parcel shelf would be fantastic. It would need to be a fairly swift operation though,qicker than the current roof->boot manouevre would be great. It certainly wouldn't want to be slower.
As to price, I'd probably be prepared to pay £200-£300 for the right quality product.
As to price, I'd probably be prepared to pay £200-£300 for the right quality product.
Sounds good to me, I'd been considering something similar myself, not unlike the Elise type roof.
Black is lovely but Blue... now there's a colour!
And I'm sure there'll be enough demand for blue depending on the final product...
What are the chances of a working prototype at the Growl?
Black is lovely but Blue... now there's a colour!
And I'm sure there'll be enough demand for blue depending on the final product... What are the chances of a working prototype at the Growl?
Griffit said:
Sounds good to me, I'd been considering something similar myself, not unlike the Elise type roof.
Black is lovely but Blue... now there's a colour! And I'm sure there'll be enough demand for blue depending on the final product...
What are the chances of a working prototype at the Growl?
Pretty much nil I'm afraid. Which is a shame but my accident knocked a month out of my being able to do anything.Black is lovely but Blue... now there's a colour!
And I'm sure there'll be enough demand for blue depending on the final product... What are the chances of a working prototype at the Growl?
Colours are a a difficult thing. My roof is blue so it would pain me not to have one colour matched to the rear hoop but its doubtful we would be able to. If you weren't concerned about an exact match if might be possible though.
To answer some of the other points raised, these are the prerequisites, in order of preference, for the roof as far as I'm concerned
1. Waterproof when travelling and standing still.
2. Very quick to fit and remove.
3. Easy to store (ie. chuck on parcel shelf)
4. As secure as any other convertible roof.
99. Cost.
Needless to say, my usual high standards (pernickerty bleeder) will apply to the end product in terms of function and form.
My main interest is in boot space saving for longer trips.
If the thing is suited to replacing the roof for two weeks of continental touring at all speeds, then it would be worth more to me than a 'get you home at reduced speed' solution.
Black is my preferred colour choice anyway.
The key thing that would stop me buying is headroom.
I am as tall and broad shouldered as it is possible to be and still get into, and out of, a Griff. If it got in the way then I wouldn't buy. My head fits into the space just in front of the hoop, where the original Targa panel curves up inside. On bumpy roads that shake my head, I keep banging the back of my head on the front of the hoop.
If the sun visors couldn't be folded right up then that could be a problem.
I would also look at the likely injuries in the eventually of an accident.
Loss of headroom in the center of the car shouldn't be a problem.
I anticipate paying £200-£300 for the better one, dependent on quality. Extra features like replacement seals available, 'can be recovered', 'Never needed reproofing' material or even storage pockets, meaning I would pay more.
Fester
If the thing is suited to replacing the roof for two weeks of continental touring at all speeds, then it would be worth more to me than a 'get you home at reduced speed' solution.
Black is my preferred colour choice anyway.
The key thing that would stop me buying is headroom.
I am as tall and broad shouldered as it is possible to be and still get into, and out of, a Griff. If it got in the way then I wouldn't buy. My head fits into the space just in front of the hoop, where the original Targa panel curves up inside. On bumpy roads that shake my head, I keep banging the back of my head on the front of the hoop.
If the sun visors couldn't be folded right up then that could be a problem.
I would also look at the likely injuries in the eventually of an accident.
Loss of headroom in the center of the car shouldn't be a problem.
I anticipate paying £200-£300 for the better one, dependent on quality. Extra features like replacement seals available, 'can be recovered', 'Never needed reproofing' material or even storage pockets, meaning I would pay more.
Fester
I would be interested.
How much i would pay depends on all the things mentioned above.
If its a quality product, the the prices mentioned above seem fair. If its a micky mouse thing, then I would only a pay a lot less.
Even if less than half of those who have posted buy, there should be enough numbers to make this viable at a reasonable price.
Black or Blue would be good for me.
While you are at the design stage, the order of importance for me ( and I guess a lot of others ) would be :
speed of fitting / removal
space taken in boot / parcel shelf
speed at which you can ( safely ) drive with it fitted
rain proofness
head room
security
wind noise
How much i would pay depends on all the things mentioned above.
If its a quality product, the the prices mentioned above seem fair. If its a micky mouse thing, then I would only a pay a lot less.
Even if less than half of those who have posted buy, there should be enough numbers to make this viable at a reasonable price.
Black or Blue would be good for me.
While you are at the design stage, the order of importance for me ( and I guess a lot of others ) would be :
speed of fitting / removal
space taken in boot / parcel shelf
speed at which you can ( safely ) drive with it fitted
rain proofness
head room
security
wind noise
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