why the carbon roof panel
Discussion
I have posted this thought before with no response but I agree that a chim with good folding roof similar to MX5 etc would be better touring car as the need to store roof panel would be negated.
The main reason I am considering changing my car is that I use it for holidays mainly and the roof panel is pain in the butt
I would happily pay £1500.00 for good roof rather than change from a TVR
Griffter said:
It's a lot of work designing and scratch-building a convertible roof that is durable, secure, watertight and works. I think the best bet is a Porsche 911-style collapsible targa section, which could be stored behind the seats, or thrown (as opposed to forced) into the boot.
A two part roof has already been done, I believe. I can't remember by who though.
The roof section isn't carbon, it's just a carbon look-alike film on the inner face. As for making a full convertible there are advantages, disadvantages and problems.
Advantages listed already on this thread.
Disadvantages are a poor look and feel to the interior, the cars lines would be spoiled by a curving roof line, weather seal would be worse, possible wind noise issues.
Problems, the major problem is the side window top line. Full convertibles need a curved window top, the Chim & Grif are flat and would therefore be very difficult to seal. This seal is made by upward pressure which is effective with a curve but would be counter effective with a flat section.
The improvement I'd look for is a zip out rear window or a smaller rear window to allow the rear section to lower more easily.
Advantages listed already on this thread.
Disadvantages are a poor look and feel to the interior, the cars lines would be spoiled by a curving roof line, weather seal would be worse, possible wind noise issues.
Problems, the major problem is the side window top line. Full convertibles need a curved window top, the Chim & Grif are flat and would therefore be very difficult to seal. This seal is made by upward pressure which is effective with a curve but would be counter effective with a flat section.
The improvement I'd look for is a zip out rear window or a smaller rear window to allow the rear section to lower more easily.
Griffter said:
It's a lot of work designing and scratch-building a convertible roof that is durable, secure, watertight and works. I think the best bet is a Porsche 911-style collapsible targa section, which could be stored behind the seats, or thrown (as opposed to forced) into the boot.
Why not ask the guys on TopGear to design/build one - I think they now have the experience to know what works/doesn't work
To be honest I really can't see what advantages there would be in a traditional convertible roof over the current arrangement. OK, there'd be no roof panel to store in the boot, but where would all the extra fabric/hinged sections etc go? Surely that would take up at least as much room, probably considerably more.
tvron said:
I have posted this thought before with no response but I agree that a chim with good folding roof similar to MX5 etc would be better touring car as the need to store roof panel would be negated.
The main reason I am considering changing my car is that I use it for holidays mainly and the roof panel is pain in the butt
I would happily pay £1500.00 for good roof rather than change from a TVR
I have seen the Chim roof stored in a completely different way than normal. This is to lay the roof section flat ON TOP of the luggage in the boot.
I have only seen one person that is able to do this, PH name Honestfreddie, I've watched him (several times) but I'm bu
ed if I can do it myself. The advantages are obvious when on a touring holiday.
Simon
sgrimshaw said:
tvron said:
I have posted this thought before with no response but I agree that a chim with good folding roof similar to MX5 etc would be better touring car as the need to store roof panel would be negated.
The main reason I am considering changing my car is that I use it for holidays mainly and the roof panel is pain in the butt
I would happily pay £1500.00 for good roof rather than change from a TVR
I have seen the Chim roof stored in a completely different way than normal. This is to lay the roof section flat ON TOP of the luggage in the boot.
I have only seen one person that is able to do this, PH name Honestfreddie, I've watched him (several times) but I'm bu
ed if I can do it myself. The advantages are obvious when on a touring holiday.
Simon
Next time you watch him, take your camcorder with you and pot it up for us to watch. I'd be really interested to see how that's done.
) nuggs you wouldnt loose any of that it would just be easier and quicker with a full convertable.i have just talked to someone with a mx5 frame to check for size and fitting .we drive with the roofs down most of the time so the look isnt as important as the fit,but i think the mx5 looks ok so shouldnt look much different.
I rather like the targa approach in my Chimaera.
But I also find it would be useful to have a stopgap roof available- something like a softer fabric roof which could be put across the top just to stop getting wet while in traffic.
Obviously, it wouldn't last very long at 80mph on private roads.
Anyone tried something like this?
Or alternatively, how about a targa panel which folds in half? Does anyone have a spare roof panel, or know what it is made of?
But I also find it would be useful to have a stopgap roof available- something like a softer fabric roof which could be put across the top just to stop getting wet while in traffic.
Obviously, it wouldn't last very long at 80mph on private roads.
Anyone tried something like this?
Or alternatively, how about a targa panel which folds in half? Does anyone have a spare roof panel, or know what it is made of?
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