Hardtop in the boot of a 111R

[Towzer]

Have a look at the picture at the very bottom of the page

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/LotusModels/LotusEliseMk2.html

Phil

>> Edited by Towzer on Thursday 22 December 21:10

[bogie]

yep - that was the original marketing material with the gull wing roof that never happened (officially) ....and judging by the quality and price of aftermarket offerings since I can understand why !

[shangani]

I read a few posts a while back of problems with quality, cracking at the hinge sites and leaking like a softtop. Don't have personal experience - however, there must be a reason why they are so rare.

[S Works]

Towzer said:

Have a look at the picture at the very bottom of the page

Typical Lotus jokerama... not having an S2 or a hardtop I can only imagine that the picture shows the HT about as far into the boot as it'll go right?

[shangani]

Probably! I guess you can keep it in there as long as the boot is open...

[GTRene]

shangani said:

Probably! I guess you can keep it in there as long as the boot is open...

when they go as far as the picture shows it won't close...on the other hand those T-roof doors are not that big and could fit I gues?
The new concept VW EcoRacer has almost the same kind of roofs, but they come up as soon as you open the doors, for a better "get in the car"

I wonder if VW will make the car for produktion...hope they do its a nice leightweight and economical but still fast car! with a litle diesel engine?! how would that sound...hope not like a diesel, but those days they also can tune sounds a lot.
GTRene

>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 23 December 10:10

[bher]

In fact it is not a hard top but a project of rearview mirror for the exige.

Ben
FYI: my coffe had a very strange taste this morning...

[GTRene]

This car is even easyer to get in with wingdoors
The cars name ATTACK K1 ...looking at the picture I like to attack

and for the man who thinks can handle more then a car, here are some options

maybe a bit of TOP-PIC? sorry...
GTRene


>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 23 December 13:01

[monkey boy 1]

while trawling around on the net i found this

there are companies out there that are doing Gullwing hardtops for the Mk 2 Elise, this was just one company that i found.
www.huntingridgemotors.com/elise_gullwing.php
I think they are USA based, but I'm sure, with a bit of net trawling or even asking in the Lotus o.c. circles there is a UK based manufacturer.

[GTRene]

Good find Monkey boy...Looks like a nice type of roof! and as the story says you can also take it complete in your rear hatch...only a bit pricy? and indeed the roof on the picture's is on a 111R USA you can see the reflectors? on the wheelarces?


Production Glassfibre is the Lotus-authorized manufacturer of hardtops for the Series I Elise in the UK. It now offers a stunning Gullwing top for your US-spec Elise!

This Gullwing top offers all the benefits of the hardtop, while allowing for easy entry/exit of the Elise. The twin "doors" open upward, eliminating the problem of the low roofline when getting into and out of the car. The two sections can also be removed in a matter of seconds (without any tools!), and stowed safely in the rear hatch. An optional bag safely holds the two fiberglass sections and the four removable pistons. This permits open-air driving whenever you desire it - if bad weather threatens you mid-drive, just return the roof sections and you have a completely water-tight seal, a distinct advantage over the soft top.

The fit and finish of these Gullwing tops is exquisite - they open and close with the quality of factory components. Perhaps even more important, the Gullwing top will not disturb the beautiful lines of your Elise. With the "doors" in place, it is difficult to distinguish between the Gullwing and the factory hardtop. These Gullwing tops take the best of the softop and the hardtop and combine it into one stunning, easy-to-use package. Order yours from Hunting Ridge Motorsports today!

Hunting Ridge Motorsports will supply you with the Gullwing top painted to match your body color for just $3,395.00(around 1.950,-gbp?) Installation is extra. If you do not live in the area, we will be glad to ship a painted Gullwing top to you. There is an additional charge for Shipping and packaging. We also recommend the specially-designed carrying case for $195.00; it's perfect for safely stowing your top in your garage or in the rear hatch!

Don't miss out on the hottest item for your Elise! Call us at 914-939-7200 to order yours today!

See more images of this exciting addition for your Elise!

There are a lot of pictures on the website for details.
GTRene




>> Edited by GTRene on Saturday 24th December 09:22

[beachbum]

Hard tops are for whimps.....Ducks and waits for barrage

[shangani]

Jealous? Though Gooby does need to extend the viper stripes to include his roof. Besides beachbum - you are too tall to drive your car with the roof on - many have noted this.

[GTRene]

beachbum said:

Hard tops are for whimps.....Ducks and waits for barrage

As cabrio's are for girls(barbie) and hairdressers?
I have a coupe or hardtop annytime(though sometimes great fun when driving not that hard and in summer) it also make's the car more stiffer and more silent from wind noise at high speeds and can give the car a smoother? look, and better CW drag.
GTRene

[S Works]

VW

Attack

Gullwing? Nice idea, needs to be executed well though. Only seen one on an S1 that was any good so far. Not really worth it IMvHO. If you look after the soft top and adjust it properly then you should have a dry car.

[GTRene]

with the opel speedster turbo I had, you could store the softtop in a bag behind the seats on a small horizontal bar!(same short softtop as mk2 elise)
But I had'nt a hardtop with it and sold the car within 1 month because I did not feel connected anough and the big turning circle(difficult parking where I life) and not as comfi-feeling as a 111R wich I do like a lot only needs a bit more power at least where I use the car for...(mainly straights sadly around here)
GTRene