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Now thats Funny!!!!!!!

off topic - how hot did kim look in that movie?

back on topic - i will use what is there for sure - i have a couple of ideas on how to make it work, and i'll have my first meeting with the upholsterer today - won't really get it going until i drop off a car, which is a few days away, but i want this done yesterday - i've been dragging my butt on it, but now that other projects are wrapping up, i can get onto it

meeting went well - i think we are on track - i will be taking a car over next week for measurements and attachments and such (lol - thankfully i have 2, or i'd never get anything done) - should have a first unit a couple of weeks after that

Look forward to seeing how the cover comes out, I am interested in one. had one in my old TR6.
Can I assuming this cover will fit with the Cab Chassis brace?

lol - yup - wouldn't do me much good if it couldn't - same goes for the windscreen - that one presents itself as a bit more of an issue though, as a car without a chassis brace puts the windscreen in a different orientation than one with

i'll work it out though

<!--quoteo(post=67280:date=Feb 17 2009, 05:43 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Feb 17 2009, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->bio - yes, it will include a nifty little storage bag (did you really have to ask?)

joseph - i've seen those - very handy for covering up the car while you run into the mall

what we are talking though about is a real tonneau that can be driven with while on the car (at least that's what i am talking about) it will zip up the middle, and attach to the car so that you can just unzip the driver side and roll it behind the seat if you want - very much like all the british sportscars used to have<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Wild. Reminds me of how I used to deal with the bimini on my boats. The SO loved the top - I hated it. So I would unzip it down the middle, roll it back on itself and snap in in place. There I was bombing down the Ohio with my head sticking out of the top - loved it. This one would be hard to resist Bob. Not much real use for it, but so cool.

here's a real use: in the winter, top down - windows up - passenger side zipped - windscreen up - heat on - TOASTY

i used to run that way in 50 degrees no problem - as long as i had a hat on, i was good to go

since i don't drive in the rain, i may never have my top up again

<!--quoteo(post=67419:date=Feb 19 2009, 10:12 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Feb 19 2009, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->here's a real use: in the winter, top down - windows up - passenger side zipped - windscreen up - heat on - TOASTY

i used to run that way in 50 degrees no problem - as long as i had a hat on, i was good to go

since i don't drive in the rain, i may never have my top up again<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


EXACTLY! Question though...I was always under the assumption that keeping the top down for extended periods of time had adverse effects...no? Something to do with the plastic window? I keep a towel in there anyways.

This new cover in combination with the cockpit cover my indeed find me topless on a close to permanent basis.

- Darryl

there is no real issue with leaving it down, as long as you don't make the following mistakes:

putting the top down without laying something across the window to prevent it from touching itself

fail to undo the creases in the plastic and the canvas as it goes down (of course, in power mode, this is difficult)

run the top in the down position with the boot cover off, allowing the headliner to get dirty, creating crease marks

put the top down when it was dirty, allowing it to get crease marks

I already DO all that (or DON'T DO) as the case may be, so allrighty then...I was more worried about some sort of permanent crease in the plastic, but the towel takes care of that.

had measurement meeting - talked about design - talked about material and cost

this unit does not replace the boot cover - it works in conjunction with it
it will not require any drilling or cutting
it will install in minutes the first time, and seconds thereafter
it will allow use while driving (windows will have to be up
it will work with the chassis brace
it will work with the harness bar
it will not work with the x-brace
it will work with the windscreen in both the standard version, and the one modified for the chassis brace

more expensive than i had hoped, but not horrible, considering that the one for the 911 is a mind boggling $1300 - it takes a LOT of fabric to make this - price still to be determined, but using the middle fabric, it looks like it is currently hovering at nearly $700 - i'm working to bring that down

questions:

1. how important is the material? sonnenland (the original material, and that which is used by robbins) is twice as expensive as safety-fast - sonnendeck (another german canvas, and the one used by GAHH) is right in the middle - appearance is similar - sonnedeck is nappier and softer - safety-fast doesn't last as long, but likely as long as the average owner has the car

2. how important is color? - there is a chance that i can get a break on fabric cost if bought in bulk, but that limits colors - on that subject, blue and black are standard colors - others cost about 20% more

3. how many people who do NOT have the chassis brace would be using these? i can make it to fit both, but it will be cheaper if i only do one way, and if i am not making it for cars without the brace, then i don't have to factor in the flap to fill the hole

Let's see-

1) I'd go middle of the road. Don't want the cheaper stuff, but then again I see no need to get the top line stuff if it is not absolutely necessary for the function of the unit.

2) Black is beautiful. No need for other colors as far as I am concerned.

3) No intention of ever getting a cab chassis brace for my cab or any future cab. So I kinda ruin that flap thingy for you (unless I am the only one, then I'm screwed!).

lol - no worries on the flappy thingy - it's not that big of a deal, but anything i can delete just makes it less expensive - it was literally going to be a flap of canvas that would velcro on to cover the hole

all 3 fabrics will probably work - it's really a function of longevity - the middle one will last longer than the lower one, but not look as good for as long as the top of the line - it's softer and nappier, and consequently would show more wear - that's why i don't like the GAHH top as much as the robbins - it looks great when it's new, and i actually like the look better than the robbins, but it shows wear marks faster than the robbins - i would rather have it look the same for longer, than better for a short while, and then look worn

the key though is that they would all do the very important job of saving the interior from getting hammered by the elements - the sun and dust really take a toll on the interior - having this there, and the ease with which it is slung out over the interior, makes it much easier to maintain it in good condition - we all know how fast things dry out in cabs - a tonneau makes all the difference in the world - i've had a few, and loved them all

being able to drive top down in the cold is nice too

<!--quoteo(post=67618:date=Feb 23 2009, 02:19 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Feb 23 2009, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->1. how important is the material? sonnenland (the original material, and that which is used by robbins) is twice as expensive as safety-fast - sonnendeck (another german canvas, and the one used by GAHH) is right in the middle - appearance is similar - sonnedeck is nappier and softer - safety-fast doesn't last as long, but likely as long as the average owner has the car

2. how important is color? - there is a chance that i can get a break on fabric cost if bought in bulk, but that limits colors - on that subject, blue and black are standard colors - others cost about 20% more

3. how many people who do NOT have the chassis brace would be using these? i can make it to fit both, but it will be cheaper if i only do one way, and if i am not making it for cars without the brace, then i don't have to factor in the flap to fill the hole<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

my answers:

1. I'd lean towards the middle of the road...the sonnendeck/GAHH option sounds best to me. How hard would it be to procure the material in the future should one ever need to purchase another one?

2. I'm fine with Blue - I believe there was only one color blue for the top even though there were two different blue interiors. Black and Blue should be good for most and I guess you could "special order" other colors. Can you buy just enough fabric to do one-offs once the pattern is developed and setup?

3. Even though I do have the chassis brace, I like the idea of having the hole cut as it gives folks the option to add the chassis brace later and not have to cut up their tonneau cover.

I'd be pleased to see the price down around 500.00 or so if you can...just my .02...er uh, 500 bucks.

i'm inclined to agree on all points

yes, i can buy just enough to do one, it just costs more that way - a price break comes in at a certain yardage point - not sure yet though if it all has to be one color or not to get the break

i also wanted to see that price point - i don't think i'm going to get there though - i think i can come off the 700, but i won't get very close to 500 - too much material and too many hours involved - i'll do the best i can though

Sooooooooo lets see the plan and start taking orders for them. We'll raise the money right here. Seems to be a lot of interest on this issue. Black or gray is fine with me. How about a boat cover bow mount behind the seats for support?
Ross

lol - thought about that - the seat headrests already do a really good job of supporting the cover - the only time i can see the support being needed would be when you just throw it entirely back behind the seats and open up both sections

also, there are going to be two points at the side where it catches tensionable spots, so it really shouldn't need it

however, i could make a bow and offer that as an accessory, for those who do not have the chassis brace (the harness bar does that for you on those) - i already figured out what that bow would look like - i have a couple of different designs in mind

i am scheduling the work now - i need to drop the white car off there for a couple of days to do it - i should be dropping it off by the first of the week

I am interested, think middle of the road fabric sounds good. Blue would work for me, black would be ok.
Since I have the x brace, I guess i could remove it and use it when i track he car.
look forward to seeing the prototype

sksail - i don't run the x-brace normally - i only install it on track days

if everybody could do me a favor and send me an email, it would help me in contacting everyone as soon as i have this ready - it would be a lot easier than going through the thread page by page - just click the Design 1 Racing button on the index page - it will set up an email for you

Done.