RE: Zertec Development Car
Discussion
Clive, can you get to work on a proper folding soft top for Griffs, Chimps and Tamoras? I think the main reason the Tamora has a funny back end is a series of knock-on design problems - the hard top needs to be stowed in the boot. Ergo, the boot has to be deep to accommodate it. This has meant pushing the exhaust backwards, so it sticks out, and needed a cover to blend it in a bit more. A simple soft top would fold into the big space behind the TVR seats, be so much easier to drop/lift, wouldn't encroach on boot space, and would encourage a lot more TVR drivers out in our mixed sunny/showery weather days. You could even just use pre-made Z3 rooves, and modify the rear panel to fit the correct base line of the soft top. Alternatively, a fabric middle section attached to the current rear hoop, and tensioned by using a roof strut placed centrally and horizontally to push against the hoop and windscreen top. If you need any other crap design ideas, let me know!! 
quote:Yes. It depends on how long I've been driving, as I slump in the seat. Maybe a more supportive seat would be an alternative!
Do you still get visibility problems even when you pull the velcro off the sides? I though that was solvable just by twiddling.
My wife, all of 5' 3", cannot see at all. I am 6', and rearward visibility is never perfect.
There is also a aesthetic aspect to this, as I guess Clive has acknowledged with the Monaco cover. The hood just looks naff when down. Not as pram hood as a Saab or Golf Cabrio, but still not as swish as an Alfa, Merc or many others. The Monaco is a bit OTT - but I suppose it is addressing the buffeting already mentioned.
On the baby seat front, surely there is some process for gaining approval? How do stretched limos get insurance? They have many more seats than they were originally built with.
quote:Its funny you should say that, as I had exactly the same idea the day before yesterday after I scratched the paintwork in 2 places trying to get the sodding roof panel into the boot. The design I dreamt up was practical, and I'd be happy to discuss it with Clive or anyone else that would like to make it - providing I get one free of charge.
Alternatively, a fabric middle section attached to the current rear hoop, and tensioned by using a roof strut placed centrally and horizontally to push against the hoop and windscreen top.
Alternatively, a 3-piece rigid roof section that could be stowed behind the seats (Wedge's 2-piece wouldn't be able to do this) would be a good alternative.
As Zertec (Clive) and Leven know, there's money to be made in fixing our TVR's shortcomings! 
Regards
Jon 
quote:Firstly I seem to have missed this being stuck in Vladivostok all week (apologies to anyone who has been trying to contact me by 'phone or e-mail but BT Cellnet told me a porky about roaming there). I do not know who you are but you are of course entitled to your opinions. I am fully aware that my designs and conversions are not everyone's taste but I am not forcing anyone to buy anything. Sufficient people have faith in my designs to enable Zertec to be a viable business. As far as TVR are concerned I have, and intend to maintain my present good relationship with them. My ideas are always of interest to them, but of course you would have to take my word for that (Tuscan column stalks?). BTW regret, like anger, is a pointless emotion, I do not and will not ever regret anything. Oh and finally, thank you for keeping this thread alive. There is no such thing as bad publicity, a 10 pound Zertec gift voucher is in the post.... Clive Reed Zertec Limited info@zertec.co.uk www.zertec.co.uk
clive will you just stop messing with perfectly fine cars, who on earth can like what he has done to the griff!!? god only knows what will happen when he gets around to the Tuscan. your work is only fit for scenes like max power and alike stop stop stop stop, before you do somthing that you will regret. and i doubt VERY much that anything that clive does will spark ideas in the TVR design workshop. the only thing that it will spark is eye streeming, cheek hurting laughter PLEASE OH PLEASE STOP GO AND FIND A A 1987 NOVA TO TINKER WITH.....GIMP....
I feel the need, the need to see some pictures of a Chimaera or a Cerbera with the afterburner rear light conversion. The advert in Sprint makes them look very nice, but it's a nightime shot (for obvious reasons). If they look as good in real life I'd be tempted - I much prefer them to the new style rear lenses TVR have been putting out.
Trefor/. (currently with the Ford Fiesta conversion)
"only recently looking dated thanks to the Tuscan"
I don't think so, the tuscan has nothing on the Griff and I can afford both. Why try and improve on perfection.
I'll be keeping my Griff till TVR come up with something better with a great sounding V8 and maybe an electric roof which don't leak.
Anyway I like the back lights on the Zertec Griff but thats about it, certainly not the tuscan inspired front lights.
I have a griff with the Zertec front lights although being black met i did not have the full blending in. So i still have the original pod shape. I also replaced the bottom lights with the same 90mm so as to balance it all up.I and many other people think it looks fab.My rear lights are on order also. If any body wishes to recieve a pic of the front lights, just ask.
Re quote:
"Alternatively, a fabric middle section attached to the current rear hoop, and tensioned by using a roof strut placed centrally and horizontally to push against the hoop and windscreen top."
I made up one of these for my S2 about 3 years ago so I could stack loads more in the boot for the Le Mans trip. I bought a piece of vinyl fabric for about £20, 2 plastic bars front and back slotted into the original tab holes, and 3 struts tensioned the bars apart.
It was shower proof and did the job well - I knew it wouldn't seal properly around the windows as the sides were soft and lifted at speed.
When I sold the car I sold the panel separately to a solicitor..... who never paid me for it. Now there's a lesson.
Regards, Dan
"Alternatively, a fabric middle section attached to the current rear hoop, and tensioned by using a roof strut placed centrally and horizontally to push against the hoop and windscreen top."
I made up one of these for my S2 about 3 years ago so I could stack loads more in the boot for the Le Mans trip. I bought a piece of vinyl fabric for about £20, 2 plastic bars front and back slotted into the original tab holes, and 3 struts tensioned the bars apart.
It was shower proof and did the job well - I knew it wouldn't seal properly around the windows as the sides were soft and lifted at speed.
When I sold the car I sold the panel separately to a solicitor..... who never paid me for it. Now there's a lesson.
Regards, Dan
That was basically what I had in mind. Just goes to show that there are no original ideas left. 
I'd be very interested in something like this. When my partner and I were caught with the top down in what can only be described as "a cloudburst of biblical proportions" we got pretty wet, but not as wet as we'd have got if we had stopped and tried to get the roof on. Best we could manage was targa mode.
We all know that if you have a passenger you can switch between roof-down and targa whilst on the move (if you're careful). I wonder if a flexible roof section could be similar? Probably not - too much scope for danger if anything went wrong, now I think about it more.
Anyway, that aside, I'd still be pretty interested.
Hey Clive. Clive! Clive? Oh damn, he's disappeared out of the country (and way from email) again!
I'd be very interested in something like this. When my partner and I were caught with the top down in what can only be described as "a cloudburst of biblical proportions" we got pretty wet, but not as wet as we'd have got if we had stopped and tried to get the roof on. Best we could manage was targa mode.
We all know that if you have a passenger you can switch between roof-down and targa whilst on the move (if you're careful). I wonder if a flexible roof section could be similar? Probably not - too much scope for danger if anything went wrong, now I think about it more.
Anyway, that aside, I'd still be pretty interested.
Hey Clive. Clive! Clive? Oh damn, he's disappeared out of the country (and way from email) again!
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