WARNING! High speed horror
Discussion
A warning to all T350t owners.
Whilst travelling at a high speed along a Motorway, the passenger side roof panel flew off the car.
Before anyone asks "Was it fixed on corectly ?"
The roof has not been taken off all winter, as I have only just recently got back home after working abroad for a while. It's been fine for months.
The clips that fasten the roof have sheared from underneath the panel.
Please note the roof fixings are the original mk1 versions on a 53 plate car.
At that speed, air has got underneath the front edge, lifted and ultimately tore the panel from the car.
Scared the
out of me, I will add.
Had to drive 10 miles to the next junction, spin round, drive 14 miles back.
Spin round again again and locate the panel.
Panel sat in central reservation
That was fun getting it back !
Managed to retrieve it in the end, but it is beyond repair I think.
At least I might be able to tape it down on the roof, in case of rain, whilst waiting for a replacement.
Need to source a new panel in Crystal Topaz from somewhere. It will be a insurance job I think.
Can the mk2 version can be retro fitted? Or is there another solution ?
Whilst travelling at a high speed along a Motorway, the passenger side roof panel flew off the car.
Before anyone asks "Was it fixed on corectly ?"
The roof has not been taken off all winter, as I have only just recently got back home after working abroad for a while. It's been fine for months.
The clips that fasten the roof have sheared from underneath the panel.
Please note the roof fixings are the original mk1 versions on a 53 plate car.
At that speed, air has got underneath the front edge, lifted and ultimately tore the panel from the car.
Scared the
out of me, I will add. Had to drive 10 miles to the next junction, spin round, drive 14 miles back.
Spin round again again and locate the panel.
Panel sat in central reservation
That was fun getting it back ! Managed to retrieve it in the end, but it is beyond repair I think.
At least I might be able to tape it down on the roof, in case of rain, whilst waiting for a replacement.
Need to source a new panel in Crystal Topaz from somewhere. It will be a insurance job I think.
Can the mk2 version can be retro fitted? Or is there another solution ?
Thanks all.
I'm not to fast on my feet nowadays. Seven years ago I smashed pretty much every bone in my legs and pelvis.
One or two more elsewhere too, but thats another tale for another time.
Anyway running is pretty much not an option, more of a fast hobble accross three lanes of cars travelling 70mph +
Least I'm no longer in the wheelchair, now that would have been a challenge.
Remember the old video game Frogger,
retrieval of panel was along the lines of an X rated version of that with a dollup of Super Mario Bros, a dash of Sonic the hedgehog, topped with a sprinkling of Crash Bandicot aswell.
I tell you Linford Christie would have struggled with that sprint !!!
I'm not to fast on my feet nowadays. Seven years ago I smashed pretty much every bone in my legs and pelvis.
One or two more elsewhere too, but thats another tale for another time.
Anyway running is pretty much not an option, more of a fast hobble accross three lanes of cars travelling 70mph +
Least I'm no longer in the wheelchair, now that would have been a challenge.
Remember the old video game Frogger,
retrieval of panel was along the lines of an X rated version of that with a dollup of Super Mario Bros, a dash of Sonic the hedgehog, topped with a sprinkling of Crash Bandicot aswell. I tell you Linford Christie would have struggled with that sprint !!!
Mr John said:
A warning to all T350t owners.
Whilst travelling at a high speed along a Motorway, the passenger side roof panel flew off the car.
Before anyone asks "Was it fixed on corectly ?"
The roof has not been taken off all winter, as I have only just recently got back home after working abroad for a while. It's been fine for months.
The clips that fasten the roof have sheared from underneath the panel.
Please note the roof fixings are the original mk1 versions on a 53 plate car.
At that speed, air has got underneath the front edge, lifted and ultimately tore the panel from the car.
Scared the out of me, I will add.
Had to drive 10 miles to the next junction, spin round, drive 14 miles back.
Spin round again again and locate the panel.
Panel sat in central reservation That was fun getting it back !
Managed to retrieve it in the end, but it is beyond repair I think.
At least I might be able to tape it down on the roof, in case of rain, whilst waiting for a replacement.
Need to source a new panel in Crystal Topaz from somewhere. It will be a insurance job I think.
Can the mk2 version can be retro fitted? Or is there another solution ?
Whilst travelling at a high speed along a Motorway, the passenger side roof panel flew off the car.
Before anyone asks "Was it fixed on corectly ?"
The roof has not been taken off all winter, as I have only just recently got back home after working abroad for a while. It's been fine for months.
The clips that fasten the roof have sheared from underneath the panel.
Please note the roof fixings are the original mk1 versions on a 53 plate car.
At that speed, air has got underneath the front edge, lifted and ultimately tore the panel from the car.
Scared the
out of me, I will add. Had to drive 10 miles to the next junction, spin round, drive 14 miles back.
Spin round again again and locate the panel.
Panel sat in central reservation
That was fun getting it back ! Managed to retrieve it in the end, but it is beyond repair I think.
At least I might be able to tape it down on the roof, in case of rain, whilst waiting for a replacement.
Need to source a new panel in Crystal Topaz from somewhere. It will be a insurance job I think.
Can the mk2 version can be retro fitted? Or is there another solution ?
Sorry to hear about this. If you've not seen the film Bowfinger, then give it a miss as it may bring back some harsh memories.
For a while I've been looking at the lids on my 53 T350 and wondering how difficult it would be to build versions out of a single molded sheet of 'somesuch' with a lip all along the T-bar edge and leading edge and latching into the existing 2 clips using moulded clips. A thin layer of rubber to seal the deal.
The other aproach would be panels that actually fitted flush into the recess with rubber seals all around the side.
Any thoughts on why either of these are doomed to failure?
Anything has to be better than the fastening and sealing arrangement they currently have.
Most people with Targa's have issues with wind noise, mine has been particularly noisey since new.
My first priority is to source a new panel, having difficulty doing so at the minute and some new clips, the old ones are buckled out of shape now.
Then some experimenting with seals and fastenings is called for, to prevent a reocurrance of the above.
I know there are topics on this subjct on this forum. It certainly needs some sort of fixing on the front edge.
Although I could just drive slower.
Most people with Targa's have issues with wind noise, mine has been particularly noisey since new.
My first priority is to source a new panel, having difficulty doing so at the minute and some new clips, the old ones are buckled out of shape now.
Then some experimenting with seals and fastenings is called for, to prevent a reocurrance of the above.
I know there are topics on this subjct on this forum. It certainly needs some sort of fixing on the front edge.
Although I could just drive slower.
Latest update.
Cannot source a panel from anywhere.
Tried breakers and TVR dealers / TVR Power.
Taking panel to Newlun Performance in Towcester, who specialise in Carbon fibre and Glass fibre, for a quote.
He seems confident he can repair the panel from the description of damage. Fingers crossed.
Looks like it was a good job I played Frogger after all
Keep you updated.
Cannot source a panel from anywhere.
Tried breakers and TVR dealers / TVR Power.
Taking panel to Newlun Performance in Towcester, who specialise in Carbon fibre and Glass fibre, for a quote.
He seems confident he can repair the panel from the description of damage. Fingers crossed.
Looks like it was a good job I played Frogger after all
Keep you updated.
Hi,
Had similar with my T350 a couple of years back. Obviously TVR were in slightly better fettle at that time, and thankfully Ben Samuelson was, for all intents and purposes, at the helm. I know that my panel was correctly fitted, and it too flew off, trashing the securing clips and ripping the carbon fibre apart as it went. Was replaced under warranty (somewhat reluctantly, and only because Ben intervened)but took just over three months!! Unfortunately for me, some nasty scratching of the roof and rear pillar paintwork occurred and the car had to have paintwork done also. The funny part of the whole thing was, when I initially called the warranty department at the factory, the response was (and I quote!!) " well........ it's never happened before........therefore it can't happen........ therefore it's not covered!" All ended well though, when I got the car back every little foible was fixed, drove like a new one, no wind noise from the roof panels, new battery fitted and front speakers installed!! all F.O.C. also Bens promise of half price for any paint spec if I bought a brand new Sagaris in the future.
And yes, they stuck to the agreement even though he'd left the company by the time i got round to buying a Sag.
Sadly those days are long gone now, and no longer is a mans word his bond (in some cases)......(IMHO).
Had similar with my T350 a couple of years back. Obviously TVR were in slightly better fettle at that time, and thankfully Ben Samuelson was, for all intents and purposes, at the helm. I know that my panel was correctly fitted, and it too flew off, trashing the securing clips and ripping the carbon fibre apart as it went. Was replaced under warranty (somewhat reluctantly, and only because Ben intervened)but took just over three months!! Unfortunately for me, some nasty scratching of the roof and rear pillar paintwork occurred and the car had to have paintwork done also. The funny part of the whole thing was, when I initially called the warranty department at the factory, the response was (and I quote!!) " well........ it's never happened before........therefore it can't happen........ therefore it's not covered!" All ended well though, when I got the car back every little foible was fixed, drove like a new one, no wind noise from the roof panels, new battery fitted and front speakers installed!! all F.O.C. also Bens promise of half price for any paint spec if I bought a brand new Sagaris in the future.
And yes, they stuck to the agreement even though he'd left the company by the time i got round to buying a Sag.
Sadly those days are long gone now, and no longer is a mans word his bond (in some cases)......(IMHO).
See my post up on here a couple of weeks ago with the new roof clips I've had fitted to deal with EXACTLY that problem I had - panel flying off at 130.
'orrible thing to have happen. Not quite as bad as when the front chin spoiler tore off the Tuscan at 130-odd and slid under the wheels like a tea-tray, though. That definitely tops the list of "I'm dead" moments.
'orrible thing to have happen. Not quite as bad as when the front chin spoiler tore off the Tuscan at 130-odd and slid under the wheels like a tea-tray, though. That definitely tops the list of "I'm dead" moments.
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