[JTP]

[quote name='flash' timestamp='1379619963' post='149634']all of the tops i've seen do that, and for the same reason. it's a design thing. i have an idea for a solution though.[/quote]



I had a factory hardtop on my Boxster and it didn't rub the paint at all. It was a very nice lightweight top. I think it was aluminium but can't positively recall.

Flash, interested in what you come up with. Your products are always top quality.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[tamathumper]

There's a Boxster around here with a hard top - I think it looks much better than the soft top version.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

That's because it looks like a coupe!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ds968]

Not just the engineering but the aesthetic design is critical; the last thing you'd want is to end up with a top that looks like the BMW Z3 , or Z4 hard tops that turn otherwise half way decent looking cabs into fugly coupes. IMO

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JTP]

[quote name='ds968' timestamp='1379862296' post='149765']Not just the engineering but the aesthetic design is critical; the last thing you'd want is to end up with a top that looks like the BMW Z3 , or Z4 hard tops that turn otherwise half way decent looking cabs into fugly coupes. IMO[/quote]



I agree about ugly hardtops on cabs, but the Z3 and Z4 coupes are some the best looking BMWs. Those coupes are way cool in a 2002 sort of way.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

again, not coupes, but definitely cool roadsters. they never made a longer version, and therefore not a coupe, just like the 968 (we technically have neither a coupe nor cabriolet, but a rather hatchback and a roadster).



anyway, back on topic, i've seen a few of the Z4s with removable hardtops now. not bad. i'm going to try to follow that kind of lead if i go forward with this. so far though, it doesn't look like i'll do more than one, if i do any at all. it would take a firm commitment of at least 10 to justify a mold, and i don't see that happening. i'll likely shut this thread down in a few days as a result.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[blau]

Have you seen the Spoon hardtop for the S2000? It's a two-piece design and by far my favorite hardtop conversion...although on the 968 it would probably end up making the car look just like the hardtop version!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Inkedupfatboy]

A removable hard top would be cool for sure, just can 't justify the expense.



Flash, does your rear window zip completely out or stay attached and fold in with the top? I really don't like how the window creases when the top folds...How hard is it to zip it out? I assume you start to raise the top, then reach in and unzip...

Is this something a good upholstery shop could do? What should a ball park price be?



Thanks

Ed

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

blau - yeah - i saw one of those in silver here in socal. pretty cool



fatboy - it stays attached at the bottom, just like all of the other zip out rear windows on other cars. no need to move the top at all to zip and unzip. it's a bit of a pain to reach back there though, as you have to be a bit of a contortionist to reach. i attached a lanyard to the zipper to make it easier. works pretty darned well. if you have an upholstery shop do it, they will likely only do it as part of a full top installation, as it's never wise to do just one part of a top. you have ot buy matching canvas, as the window area must be reworked, and a new window made. you can expect to pay $2k for the whole job.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Inkedupfatboy]

That sucks,my top is in perfect shape, so no way I am going to replace it just for a zipper window. Since I bought the car, really the top has only been up in a drizzle twice and up at the shop. Other than that it stays down unless I park somewhere I don't trust the car to be open.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i said that too when i got mine. then i started driving it and putting it in the sun. the stitches on the top faded and rotted out. it doesn't take long on an original top. the white car now needs a top. it went for its whole life (all 14k miles of it) without showing any signs of wear. now that it has gotten a bit of exposure (a whopping additional 6k miles) it is starting to pop stitches across the bows.



if that top is original, you can expect to be changing it soon if you plan on driving the car.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[tamathumper]

My original top looked great, except the window was clouded. When I put the new one on, the installer showed me that the fabric just tore right apart by hand! It still looked good, but all of its strength was gone.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

yup - the nature of canvas. it's amazing how good it can "look" until you stress it or even just use it. i'm pretty bummed about the white car, but it will give me a chance to put in another zip out, so not all that horrible.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

coupes don't pop any stitches or rot even with tons of sun exposure.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Inkedupfatboy]

Maybe not, but they are not at all as cool as Cabs. Cabs Rule, Coupes just wish they were cabs.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rxter]

I may be looking at a much longer daily commute soon. Have been thinking about getting a retractable hard top MX5 to use instead of the 968 for all reasons stated in this thread and my earlier "I want to coupe" rant. This could be the ideal solution. Ideally I'd like to cut off the ragtop and all the hardware and just go top ON or top OFF. Would need the tonneau thing when the top is OFF. Would be just like my boating days - Love it!



So, with an opt-in after a design is available for consideration, I would be #2. Only 8 to go...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jws]

I would be interested in one but I would want to see the finished product before a firm commitment would be established on my part. If you could build one that has the fit and finish of a factory Porsche product I think that $2500 would be a fair price. I think a conversion that would do away with the convertible top all together with some kind of fiberglass panel that would cover the hole were the top would set would be a ideal to add to it. This would make a real nice looking car when the time comes when you want to take off the hard top to enjoy the sun. I wish that Porsche would have designed a top that didn't make such a bulge when the top is in the down position. The only thing I could suggest is to keep the top profile as low as possible without a bubble look. I think there are enough 968 & 944S2 owners that would buy this as long as it looks right.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

first off, if it didn't have a factory fit and finish, i wouldn't bother. remember, i would be making this for my cars as well.



still not sure i even want to mess with this. while i want to quiet down the interior, i'm not sure yet that this is the best option.



as for the top sticking up, i agree completely. makes me crazy that it looks like it does. i'm pretty sure i can get it to go all the way down, but it would be a pretty serious mod to the car, and i'm pretty sure very few would do it.



if the top is completely removed, a panel to cover the rear has already been done. looks a bit odd, but cool at the same time. no top to go with it though. also, it was permanently incorporated into the body, and sat pretty high, and made the trunk look weird.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jws]

I understand about deciding to mess with it or not. That would be a pretty big project to undertake, but it is a great ideal though!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Inkedupfatboy]

[quote name='jws' timestamp='1381447225' post='150566']

I wish that Porsche would have designed a top that didn't make such a bulge when the top is in the down position.

[/quote]



Have you seen what a new Beetle looks like with the top folded up?! Ours is flat compared to that monstrosity!! Yikes!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.