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Cabriolet hardtop


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Cabriolet hardtop
purpleporsche
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#1

08-27-2009, 08:42 PM
OK....I'm a Rookie.....but I really did search the forums for some discussion of a hardtop for the Cabriolet. What might have been impossibly expensive to create in the early '90s might be relatively easy in the carbon age. Has anybody ever seen a removable hardtop for the Cab?
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flash
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#2

08-27-2009, 08:47 PM
i saw an ad from 15 years ago that had a hardtop - i have never seen one in person, don't know anybody who has seen one in person, don't know of anybody who knows of anybody who has seen one in person - i suspect that ad might have even been a rendering - it was way too long ago to remember clearly

i looked into making this a few years ago - if we ran off a handful of them, cost would be about $2.5k each

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#3

08-27-2009, 08:55 PM
<!--quoteo(post=78938:date=Aug 27 2009, 06:47 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 27 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i saw an ad from 15 years ago that had a hardtop - i have never seen one in person, don't know anybody who has seen one in person, don't know of anybody who knows of anybody who has seen one in person - i suspect that ad might have even been a rendering - it was way too long ago to remember clearly

i looked into making this a few years ago - if we ran off a handful of them, cost would be about $2.5k each<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'd definitely be "in" on any buy like that for a quality product. What was the proposed structural material?
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flash
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#4

08-27-2009, 08:59 PM
vacuum formed carbon fiber, fully primed - not carbon look
bonded aluminum framework
glass rear window (probably heated)
full headliner
rubber body gaskets
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(This post was last modified: 08-27-2009, 09:01 PM by flash.)
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#5

08-27-2009, 09:00 PM
<!--quoteo(post=78938:date=Aug 27 2009, 04:47 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 27 2009, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i saw an ad from 15 years ago that had a hardtop - i have never seen one in person, don't know anybody who has seen one in person, don't know of anybody who knows of anybody who has seen one in person - i suspect that ad might have even been a rendering - it was way too long ago to remember clearly

i looked into making this a few years ago - if we ran off a handful of them, cost would be about $2.5k each<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Hmmm.....

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#6

08-27-2009, 09:03 PM
lol - yeah - thought about a targa version too - that would allow the removal of the center section when i wanted, and complete deletion of the soft top

i had one of those on one of my MGBs - loved it
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purpleporsche
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#7

08-27-2009, 09:03 PM
<!--quoteo(post=78943:date=Aug 27 2009, 06:59 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 27 2009, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->vacuum formed carbon fiber, fully primed - not carbon look
bonded aluminum framework
glass rear window (probably heated)
full headliner
rubber body gaskets<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just say when!
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#8

08-27-2009, 09:07 PM
lol - need at least 6 guys to step up to justify the mold cost

you and i make 2 in 6 years
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#9

08-27-2009, 09:24 PM
What happens to the soft top? Deleted?
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PorscheDude
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#10

08-27-2009, 09:24 PM
Something like that may sway me over to cab.
I like the way cabs look, but I like a "roof".
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#11

08-27-2009, 09:51 PM
<!--quoteo(post=78952:date=Aug 27 2009, 06:24 PM:name=J.C.)-->QUOTE (J.C. @ Aug 27 2009, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What happens to the soft top? Deleted?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm OK with deleting the steel and canvass in favor of carbon and aluminum.....and a glass window? Awesome!
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#12

08-27-2009, 09:59 PM
soft top deletion would not be required, but could be chosen - i would probably delete it - i have the tonneau cover to cover the entire cockpit if i want, and would have the hardtop if i really wanted to drive the car in bad weather - why would i need the soft top?

hidden added bonus - top down would have increased visibility as there would be no soft top blocking the view - i'd probably have a 2 piece hard shell cover made for the rear area too
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#13

08-28-2009, 06:40 AM
<!--quoteo(post=78961:date=Aug 27 2009, 06:59 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 27 2009, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->soft top deletion would not be required, but could be chosen - i would probably delete it - i have the tonneau cover to cover the entire cockpit if i want, and would have the hardtop if i really wanted to drive the car in bad weather - why would i need the soft top?

hidden added bonus - top down would have increased visibility as there would be no soft top blocking the view - i'd probably have a 2 piece hard shell cover made for the rear area too<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well, yeah. That was actually why I asked. I'm not short (5'10"), but yeah, with the top down, it does eat up about 1/2 my rearview mirror. This is VERY intriguing. The 2-piece cover would be on top of the $2.5K, right?

Hmmm...



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DiREW0LF
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#14

08-28-2009, 09:41 AM
I would love a hard top. And a little more modding could make the back usable as seats. I need a new softtop anyway...might be worth the extra and not have to worry about replacing it ever again.

Do you take credit cards?

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#15

08-28-2009, 09:54 AM
Some might be surprised, but this is an item that holds no interest for me. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]
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#16

08-28-2009, 10:01 AM
Shipping would be a real Pita, but coukd be done.

Flash, have you laid any lines to paper to get an idea of the shape?
I would love to see a sketch of what you have in mind.
The lines of the top would be critical.

I love the hardtops BMW made for the E36 and E46 cabs.
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#17

08-28-2009, 10:47 AM
I would guess the shape would be similar to that of the soft top to not ruin the lines and the cab and it would be hard to make it integrate smoothly with the trunk. The hard top for the early Miatas were simple and looked fine bolted on the car. I do like the idea of a hard shell to take the place of the soft boot much like the 911 Speedster.

On a side note, it's interesting how much a Boxster begins to resemble a Cayman when you pop a hard top on them. I'd love to see some sketches too, but realistically and practically speaking, I don't think I'd be on the short list of potential buyers. I just like the lines of the cab too much, it'll be pricey, and if I were to go removable hard top, I'd opt for a Boxster, but my real desire for a hardtop is the Cayman!

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#18

08-28-2009, 11:17 AM
yes, all clamshell pieces would be additional - that was just something to clean it up when the top was off

drawings - not yet

shape - yes - would mimic the soft top, eliminating the bow lines - i like the lines as is, and would not want to change them - some internal room would be gained due to the elimination of the bows - the top would be about 1/2" thick though, to provide for some sound insulation and a proper headliner
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purpleporsche
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#19

08-28-2009, 12:15 PM
<!--quoteo(post=79006:date=Aug 28 2009, 09:17 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 28 2009, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->yes, all clamshell pieces would be additional - that was just something to clean it up when the top was off

drawings - not yet

shape - yes - would mimic the soft top, eliminating the bow lines - i like the lines as is, and would not want to change them - some internal room would be gained due to the elimination of the bows - the top would be about 1/2" thick though, to provide for some sound insulation and a proper headliner<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, Flash.....we might get half a dozen afterall! Keep me on the short list for the drawings and I'll keep a couple Gs parked.
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#20

08-28-2009, 12:34 PM
had my coupe been a cab, i would without a doubt have been interested in a hardtop long ago. If i pick up a cab anytime soon, you can count me in.

This is something that should have been made by Porsche imo.
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