Replacing a roof

[Skyedriver]

There are a a number of "Wedges" for sale at the moment where the ad says "roof needs attention" or similar. the general following line is "but I only use it on dry days so no problem"
If I bought one, I would be looking to use it a bit more regularly, I used my Chimaera as a daily driver for 3 years.
So are new roofs available, I guess its both the hard surrey top and the folding rear that need replacing, and what is the cost for the parts. I guess they are reasonably straight forward to fit.
Thanks

ps I was going to ask "how would I get on with a "wedge" after the Chimaera, but maybe this isn't the forum for that....

[smash]

I drove my brothers Chim part way home from Blackpool and have to say I was very impressed how compliant it was yet flat cornering. I'll be honest it felt (unsurprisingly) like a car from a different era to the wedge - they're not poles apart but the chim is the better driving car. Just switching from an LT77 box to T5 was quite noticable. You will enjoy a wedge tho - no doubt. When we were in convoy a couple of weeks ago it wasn't the Chim that was getting the looks!

My roof was redone a couple of years ago at a cost of £300 in mohair - not a TVR specialist but a hood specialist. I guess D C Trim in the ex works factory would be a good place to start.

[400SE Dave]

I think D&C trim charge £500-600 area but that inof was a few years ago. I guess it hasn't changed much though

[TA14]

Just buying a new roof is unlikely to make much difference. As the OP suggested there are two main areas that cause unacceptable leaks: the struts wearing and the degradation of the rubber seals. Of those the rubber seals are the main one and should be replaced. The seals typically last a decade and in this time the Mohair usually becomes tatty/stained and so gets replaced as well. Replaceing these items is a bit of a ball ache but since the roofs are individual to the car it's better to refurbish that replace. The struts are easy. Finally there is a weak point in the design that leaves a small hole at the front corners which the rubbers may/may not cover when compressed (ie door closed) This was addressed with the 400 models which have a modified - different shaped roof.

[carob]

You also have The Trim Technician ex TVR trimmer. A roof will make the one we where speaking about a very, very tidy wedge.

Rob

[mrzigazaga]

Hi..Well i think most do leak but as said the roof stays might be worn and are not pushing against the targa panel properly..Also the door seals which run across the front section of the windscreen and the rear section of the collapsible section of the hood might be worn also.

If you were nearer to the south of england then i would suggest giving CTC a call as they have recently replaced a few wedge complete roofs and to a very high standard and at a relatively reasonable cost.

Some people have bought the roof and fitted it themselves which is not a massively hard task but one that has no room for errors or it will leak and look cheap..Good luck and keep us posted...Cheers...Ziga