369 replies to this topic

[FLD]

I have some spare 1/4 turn fittings if you want to try them.

[Darcini]

The intention was to make a hardtop that had the ease of taking on/off and stowability of the soft top, never have liked the look of the VX with the soft one on.

As with all these projects, the devil is in the detail, hopefully have come up with something that will ensure the seals will be as unobtrusive as possible whilst still doing the job. The middle section will have two overcentre catches underneath to secure it to the outer sections, along with the tongue and groove locating flange (snigger) this should be enough, but shouldn't be difficult to come up with something to fasten it down if needs be.

The side pieces locate using the oem fixing points.

Toyed with the idea of semi permanently mounting the centre section to make a T bar style roof.

Problem is to fit all three pieces in the boot they need to be equal-ish widths, which means the centre section is too wide visually to not look shite.

 

 

FLD, ta for the offer, but think I've got it sorted

 

 

 

Oh, and Michael, you were doing well there right up to the point you mentioned the E name......

[techieboy]

Slice the hardtop into four equal strips and you could probably use two or three sections as a rear wing thus freeing up the boot space.

[Darcini]

Yeah, well, it's a thought Techie....

[Aerodynamic]

Regarding the Wheel arcs below, how much wider are they then std?

Do you have any more Pictures of the design?

Will yo be able to sell a set?

Long overdue update, work 'n sh*t has got in the way, but a bit of progress
Plugs removed from the car, very satisfying to rip bits off you've spent hours shaping, filling, sanding


Molds ready to go

Gelcoat in!

Then a gentle bit of wheel arch enlargement


Hopefully the new arches will pop out of the molds tomorrow, then onto the next stage

 

[TazN]

Your doing a cracking job so keep up the excellent work!

 

Personally I'd refrain from having the middle section in place but agree the soft top just doesn't look right but with the H/T 10x better.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Nige, love those cheeky little reverie seats peaking out in a few pics!!!  Very nice, I'd love a set of those!!

 

Also regarding wheel arches....  I too would love a set of those and see moulds are made, are you planning to sell these to the forum at all?  If so please let me know!!  I'm doing my coupe conversion over the winter, maybe a colour change too so timing would be perfect for new arches too

 

What's the plan exactly with your chopped hardtop, not sure if I get what you're doing?

[Darcini]

Jimmy, I'm not sure whether I'll be in a position to sell any of the arches yet, although the fronts went on with very little trouble the rears, and one side in particular, we're a real b'stard to fit. Not sure why, maybe the mold had warped at some point, now I've fettled them and I'm happy but wouldn't expect someone else to do that if they were paying for them if you know what I mean. Solution would be to mold off the one's now on the clam I suppose, but not sure if I've got the heart to do yet more fibreglassing! The arches give approx one and a half inches extra clearance, I'm running 18" x 10j on the back, with the original 17" rears (with a spacer) on the front. The three piece hardtop idea is purely so it will go on and off as easily as the softop but can be stowed in the boot when running topless, means I can run all year with the hardtop on but keep the option of roof off blasts when the sun un-expectedly comes out.

[FLD]

Thicker flanged moulds with bracing FTW.  Have a look at mine in your shed.  Happy to come and help you remould.  Alternatively I'm happy to fit some to my spare clam and we can remould off that if you want / need your car painted.  I even dug out my good spray gun to come paint it so get sanding

[haggi961]

I would also love a set of arches if they ever went into production. Dont mind if they don't fit 100% 

[Darcini]

Update time, it's a long while since the car has been all the same colour.











And finally the underside of the lightened bonnet
http://i283.photobuc...68b47d8318b.jpg
Final flatting of the primer to go then it's top coat time

[CocoPops]

Love it! Done the mould for the rear lights yet?

[Dunk]

I am truly in awe of your work.

[Nor Speedster]

this looks so Nice, crazy good job on the car, cant wait to see it mounted. just love what you have done here.

Edited by Nor Speedster, 18 August 2013 - 08:36 PM.

[haggi961]

Wow that looks fantastic and the work that has gone in is just something else. It is truly going to be one sweet looking vx. Would you consider doing something similar again if you was paid to do it? i have quite a bit of money coming my way soon hint hint

[aKra]

That looks just awesome

[FLD]

About time!  get it flatted and get the basecoat in and I'll be round.

[GeorgeBC]

Looks brilliant Nigel! Looking forward to seeing it finished. Whats next after the bodywork is done? Cant imagine you being happy just driving it.

[Darcini]

Whats next after the bodywork is done?

A divorce probably. Keep fantasising about a more exotic engine swap, something with a nice noise to it, but so far nothing fits the bill really. You never know, I might just drive it for a bit. Or sell it and buy a Maserati.

[GeorgeBC]

Whats next after the bodywork is done?

A divorce probably. Keep fantasising about a more exotic engine swap, something with a nice noise to it, but so far nothing fits the bill really. You never know, I might just drive it for a bit. Or sell it and buy a Maserati.

My boss has a Maserati and it spends most of its time at stratstones . Actually now I think about it its right up your street.