Soft Top

[Mechie3]

Hey guys...


Is there going to be a soft top sometime soon? :rolleyes:





















http://i.imgur.com/VPoEzdT.jpg

;)

Saw this in the email!

[Silvertop]

Well, that looks hopeful!! What email did you see THAT in?

[Mechie3]

The one I got about 15 minutes ago. "Latest 818 news October 2013". Includes a bunch of other stuff too.

[Silvertop]

The one I got about 15 minutes ago. "Latest 818 news October 2013". Includes a bunch of other stuff too.

Checking email now............:rolleyes:

[wallace18]

Count me in! That is one good looking soft top IMO.

[wleehendrick]

Just got the email... SOLD!!!

[Silvertop]

Just got the email... SOLD!!!

I'm in too!! Can I do a $99 preorder?????:rolleyes:

[68GT500MAN]

There is also a post here on this forum about all of the exciting things going on at FFR.
Doug

[RM1SepEx]

I'd like to see more of the top... back view... Looks like it follows the side of the hump on each side and comes to a point? how do the vinyl windows attach? $$$???

[07FIREBLADE]

I don't know what's up with my email. Not getting any of the news letters. But I'm glad it's available very soon. Can someone post the rest of the email plz.

[AZPete]

SOLD! I'm hoping there will be soft side windows available also, but I want one. No, I NEED one.
Pete

[Silvertop]

SOLD! I'm hoping there will be soft side windows available also, but I want one. No, I NEED one.
Pete

Well, I guess we already know that the top will have soft side windows -- specifically, zip-in side curtains -- at least that's what was promised some months back. And I want one too. I would have ordered it with my kit if it had been available. We can probably figure on a price tag of about $3K, though.

[RM1SepEx]

I don't know what's up with my email. Not getting any of the news letters. But I'm glad it's available very soon. Can someone post the rest of the email plz.

Dave's online post on the Forum is identical to the email...

[07FIREBLADE]

Cool just read it and was hoping for the same. Still need to contact ffr about the communication issue though.

[Xusia]

The top looks fantastic. I just wish it had a window lip though.

[Scott J]

I love the look of the soft top. Can't wait to see some more views but I think we're going to have to wait for SEMA. Do you really anticipate a price of $3k?

[Xusia]

My money's on $2600. And no, I don't have any inside information. That's just an educated guess! :)

[Wayne Presley]

The soft top looks great

[icky]

Now lets see it in the wind tunnel!

[Frank818]

My money's on $2600. And no, I don't have any inside information. That's just an educated guess! :)

Last time you guessed something, you were spot on.

[Frank818]

Now lets see it in the wind tunnel!

For me I don't need wind tunnel for the top, cuz every time I would be driving with the top on means I can not drive fast enough to have much aero downside effects. I would use the top when raining or if it's really too cold to drive without it (then I need a heather too), which means the road would be quite cold too, which means less tire traction (especially with high-end performance tires or road/race tires). So I can't drive fast with the top on anyway. :)

[Xusia]

For me I don't need wind tunnel for the top, cuz every time I would be driving with the top on means I can not drive fast enough to have much aero downside effects. I would use the top when raining or if it's really too cold to drive without it (then I need a heather too), which means the road would be quite cold too, which means less tire traction (especially with high-end performance tires or road/race tires). So I can't drive fast with the top on anyway. :)

Yep...

BTW - most soft tops start to billow (pull up/away from the support structure) at highway speeds. It's very hard on them to drive at track speeds.

[dougkirkbride]

Last time you guessed something, you were spot on.

please guess a little lower next time :)

ohh where does one store the top when not in use. Does it fold up like an umbrella to put under the set?

[Silvertop]

I love the look of the soft top. Can't wait to see some more views but I think we're going to have to wait for SEMA. Do you really anticipate a price of $3k?

My $3k guess is really just a SWAG (Scientific Wild-A** Guess), based on the fact that the premium tops for the '33 and the Roadster seem to cost $3300-3500. Given that FFR has asked Hot Rod Tops to try to build it a little less expensive is kind of where I come up with the $3k number. But it could be less, perhaps as low as Xusia's prediction. But I wouldn't look for it to be much cheaper than that -- this is a custom, low volume top, and it is still supposed to a high quality product. So it still won't be cheap. And we don't want it to be. Just my humble opinion..........:)

[Xusia]

please guess a little lower next time :)

LOL - sorry! I will try to do better next time!


ohh where does one store the top when not in use. Does it fold up like an umbrella to put under the set?

My guess is that it will not be a folding top. Rather, the support structure will not be permanently attached to the top (if I'm right, yet another reason to avoid high speed driving with it) and will disassemble for storage in the trunk. Since the top isn't attached, it can fold for storage too. These kinds of tops are more difficult to put on and take off, but they can be stored in very little space.

[wleehendrick]

My money's on $2600. And no, I don't have any inside information. That's just an educated guess! :)

Dave said: "The 818S soft top design goals were to be a bit more affordable". Since the other tops are well over $3k, I would guess around $3k. I'd love to be surprised and have it be priced closer to $2500, but I doubt it.

Anyway, my wife said she'll buy me the top for Christmas! :cool:

[Silvertop]

My guess is that it will not be a folding top. Rather, the support structure will not be permanently attached to the top (if I'm right, yet another reason to avoid high speed driving with it) and will disassemble for storage in the trunk. Since the top isn't attached, it can fold for storage too. These kinds of tops are more difficult to put on and take off, but they can be stored in very little space.

That would be consistent with the designs of the tops for the Roadster and the '33 Hot Rod, which are taken apart and stored in the vehicle. However, at least one of them has an optional "Boot" which snaps around it and allows the top to be stored in place on the rear deck. At least, according to the lead guy at Hot Rod Tops, who I spoke with some months ago in an effort to learn how the top design was coming along. He didn't tell me much else...... Anyways, based on that tidbit it is at least possible the 818's top may be stored on the car while still partially assembled rather than completely taken apart and stored inside. I'm not predicting that -- but it's a maybe.... :rolleyes:

[Xusia]

I would love that, though I fear the humps will make it impossible...

[AZPete]

Xusia: "will disassemble for storage in the trunk."
Do you mean the trunk in the garage?

[Frank818]

I guess those with AWIC over the tranny will have no luck to store the soft top. Unless you meant the front storage location, for which I haven't seen any good photos yet so I don't know if there is space in the front.

[Xusia]

I plan to have a trunk in the back, and at least look at also putting one in the front; though the front might better qualify as a large trunk!

[SailorKane]

I just got interested in the 818. Soft top is a must for me, since I live in Florida and it rains every day at 4:30pm. Glad progress is being made, although a price of $3K is a very big percentage of the cost of the car!

[Xusia]

Not really. Convertible versions of coupe production cars are often priced several thousand more. Assuming you are building a $15k 818 and that the soft top will be less than $3k, that's the equivalent of an $18k convertible production car vs. a $15k coupe version. I'd say that's definitely within reason.

[Goldwing]

Though most production soft tops do fold down easily. But, the cost of a custom soft top is what it is. It's a high percentage of the 818 cost because its an inexpensive kit in the grand scheme of things not because the top is expensive. Kind of a chicken or egg point I guess

[bbjones121]

Any updates on this for forum members before SEMA??

[bbjones121]

Pretty please

[BipDBo]

The soft top looks great.
I live in Florida, where rain is a very frequent occurrence, and it can last quite a long time, often all day. Driving a car in the rain requires more than just a roof over your head, so here are a few questions:
Does it have windows?
How long does it take to put up and take down?
Does it need to be stored at home, or does it fit somewhere in the car? (such as, hopefully a trunk over the transaxle)
Is the 818S now equipped with windshield wipers?
I doubt there is AC, but is there heat or at the least, ventilation? Fresh air is needed for when the top and windows are up, both to breathe and for windshield de-fogging.

[Kalstar]

The soft top looks great.
I live in Florida, where rain is a very frequent occurrence, and it can last quite a long time, often all day. Driving a car in the rain requires more than just a roof over your head, so here are a few questions:
Does it have windows?
How long does it take to put up and take down?
Does it need to be stored at home, or does it fit somewhere in the car? (such as, hopefully a trunk over the transaxle)
Is the 818S now equipped with windshield wipers?
I doubt there is AC, but is there heat or at the least, ventilation? Fresh air is needed for when the top and windows are up, both to breathe and for windshield de-fogging.

Yes it has zip in windows, yes the wiper can be added, soft top comes on and off very easy. If you build a truck behind the engine the top can be sorted there (folded down the top takes up very little real estate). No heat or a/c option at this point but can be aftermarket retrofitted. Anti-fog and rainX goes a long way too.

[Canadian818]

How fast can one go with windows down or no windows?

[Xusia]

VERY fast. If you want...

[WIS89]

How fast can one go with windows down or no windows?

As fast as the car can go!

Now, if you want to keep the top attached, you might have to go a little slower!!

To my friend up in Edmonton, I am sorry. I couldn't resist, and I meant no disrespect!

Regards,

Steve

[Frank818]

If you build a truck behind the engine the top can be sorted there

We read "trunk". :)



No heat or a/c option at this point but can be aftermarket retrofitted. Anti-fog and rainX goes a long way too.

Any ideas of which aftermarket retrofits we are talking about?
I plan on using a complete ventilation/heat/defrost from a non-Subaru, but if I have other options on my drawing board, I'll take a look first.

[Samiam1017]

Any pics with the top down

[Frank818]

I understood that there is no top down. It's either installed or removed. Am I mistaken?

[flynntuna]

That's how I understand it.

[Kalstar]

We read "trunk". :)




Any ideas of which aftermarket retrofits we are talking about?
I plan on using a complete ventilation/heat/defrost from a non-Subaru, but if I have other options on my drawing board, I'll take a look first.

I am looking into a few different EV heater options. These electric heaters are designed for Electric vehicles since they do not have heated water like gas engines. The output is 1800 btu, in comparison the plug in type you see at autozone puts out only about 120 btu's. 1800 will blast heat even in the coldest of temptures. They come with two dash vents and two defrost hoses. The least expensive I have found so far is 329.00 plus shipping for manual dials or up to 600.00 with touch screen controller.

[Frank818]

Oh sorry I have posted on the heater thread. Which is better than Soft Top thread, let's move this heater discussion to the other thread.

[07FIREBLADE]

Which system are you looking at kalatar?? I agree let's move this heater discussion. More pics please.

[Kalstar]

Which system are you looking at kalatar?? I agree let's move this heater discussion. More pics please.

Agreed moved, hyjack diverted. Back to the soft top.

[Silvertop]

I understood that there is no top down. It's either installed or removed. Am I mistaken?

That is the most likely situation. Although Hot Rod Tops apparently did come up with an extra-cost "boot" for the Roadster which wraps around the partially disassembled top and allows it to be stored in place on the rear deck. But due to cost considerations, it may not be likely that they will try to do this for the 818. Don't really know, though.

[Frank818]

Too early at this time to know the details, I guess. Let's wait until this is officially released and see what it comes up with.
For some reason, I expect an official soft top release at SEMA, but who knows...

[Wayne Presley]

The red car will have the top on at SEMA

[GWL]

Here are some shots of the soft top from the thread: SEMA 2013 Preparations

www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/818-preview-2.jpg

www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/818-preview-3.jpg

SEMA Preparation thread:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12001-SEMA-2013-Preparations

Post #10 & 14

An earlier post was wondering where the top would go. I've got the premium MkIV roadster top and it fully breaks down, folds up and placed into pouches that are easily stored in the trunk with lots of spare room left over.

George

[bbjones121]

Soft top looks great. Any idea on windows?

[Kalstar]

Soft top looks great. Any idea on windows?

Yes, zip in windows. I have been to the factory for the past 3 days, the top is beautifully made. The zipper for the windows are hidden.

[Harley818]

any idea on release date yet?

[Zodiac]

any idea on release date yet?

+1 also waiting for this. and maybe trunk info as well

[bbjones121]

Hello Hello. The forums have been dead for any updates. Any news on convertible? I see it listed as future on the buying page.

[Joe Scott]

well guys we just received the final version of the soft top, and it looks great! Keep your eyes out, because were down to weeks until its released!!

Joe@FFRTECH

[nkw8181]

Awesome! Maybe I can have it ordered with my kit!

[AZPete]

Joe, I'm glad FFR is taking time to get a high quality top made. I want the best.

[RM1SepEx]

well guys we just received the final version of the soft top, and it looks great! Keep your eyes out, because were down to weeks until its released!!

Joe@FFRTECH

so if we make a visit we can see it in person? I've been waiting...

[Joe Scott]

Correct Dan, it is finally back from the manufacture and is planning on staying here for quite some time now.

Joe S

[bbjones121]

Awesome!


Correct Dan, it is finally back from the manufacture and is planning on staying here for quite some time now.

Joe S

[indiana818]

look at www.northernfactory.com i found a nice 30,000 btu unit there

[Zodiac]

woohoo can't wait

[AZPete]

Dan, can you sneak a photo of the top while you're there? If they say no pictures, please slap my address on one and take it to the shipping dept. :rolleyes:

[RM1SepEx]

I'm trying to do a wiper and top visit... I will keep everyone posted

[wleehendrick]

I'm trying to do a wiper and top visit... I will keep everyone posted

Please share! Joe recently said the wiper kit is finalized, just waiting for parts before putting it up on the website.

[Kalstar]

Please share! Joe recently said the wiper kit is finalized, just waiting for parts before putting it up on the website.

F5R is still perfecting the wiper set up. I was at the factory yesterday. What they have come up with not only looks great (oem'ish) but blends well with the 818 lines. They are/have, really done an outstanding job with this "base" kit. Really shows they care about the little guy and they don't care how much cash you have simply that they want to see a FFR in your garage. This car truly is a "back to the roots" evolution of the company.

[wleehendrick]

F5R is still perfecting the wiper set up. I was at the factory yesterday. What they have come up with not only looks great (oem'ish) but blends well with the 818 lines. They are/have, really done an outstanding job with this "base" kit.

Great to hear... thanks for the info. I recently picked up a wiper motor and linkage, since I didn't get one initially. Hope to order the set-up soon!

[Jaime]

Just got the email from FFR officially announcing the soft top. It's $2499.

They also asked if there is any interest in a hardtop. I'm not sure where to send the resonse to, but I would rather have a removable hard top than a soft top.

[RM1SepEx]

don't forget the extra $499 for the windows... so its $2998 for the soft top

@ $1999 for the hard top it looks like a good option...

[metalmaker12]

Yeah the softtop is way to much cake, hardtop looks good to me

[07FIREBLADE]

I started a new thread in the general discussion about the hardtop. Didn't know where to respond either.

[riptide motorsport]

That's thirty percent of the whole kit....too rich for me.

[AZPete]

I'll buy the soft top & windows since I planned on it from the start. But, the email says the top includes a "custom bag that fits in the trunk". Perhaps I should go out to the garage and look again at my 818S chassis, but . . . where's the trunk?

[bompus]

I'm assuming the trunk would be in the front ;)

[RM1SepEx]

in the back, under the hinged cover

[AZPete]

Dan, the space in the rear is bigger than I imagined and the top folds up very compactly. I always assumed I'd have to store the top in my garage or on my wife's lap (I'd need ear plugs for that!). After I mount the body I'll just build a rear compartment to fit the soft top - another fun project.

I'm glad you feel well enough and it's warm enough to resume work on your 818!

[Aero STI]

$3,000 for the soft top with zip in windows is way too much money for me. I can't justify the purchase at this time. This went way down on my priority list and I don't see this being very popular at that price.

It seems like everything else on the 818 was very reasonably priced. Of course all of the reasonably priced "carbon fiber" parts that I bought for the 818 aren't exactly real.

[tmoretta]

I am planning on using that "trunk" to mount my compact spare and jack. I am still old school enough to want to rely on an actual spare tire for flats.

[Aloha818]

I'm interested in buying the soft top so I asked Jay at FFR for some more info and pics. Thought I would share.

Jay said the storage bag is 4 1/2' long by 1' wide. He didn't know the depth as the top was on the car.

Interior pics

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Exterior pics

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[Bob_n_Cincy]

Some of the above pictures were to dark. So I turned up the brightness.
2758327584

My first impression
This is a heavy duty quality top.
Bob

[Xusia]

Argh. That's what I was afraid of. The top rests on the roll bar. So now anyone even kinda tall has to spring for aftermarket seats to use the top. Tall guys are getting no breaks here... :(

[07FIREBLADE]

They should of shown how the windows zip in and what they look like.

[RM1SepEx]

they did show how they zip in
snaps at the upper front corners, I would guess a lower one too
you can see/follow the zipper all around
Double flap to make the bottom seal?

I have enough vehicles with convertible tops, I'm going to hold off for a while...

[Kalstar]

I'm a buyer. I think $2500.00 with the windows would sell more of them but the last $500.00 will not stop me from making the car a true 3 season car.

[wleehendrick]

I'm a buyer. I think $2500.00 with the windows would sell more of them but the last $500.00 will not stop me from making the car a true 3 season car.

$2.5k with the windows would be nice! Where I am, the 818 is a 3 season car with no top, so I don't know if I can justify it, but those close-up photos on the inside do like nice... I'm tempted. I'll probably hold off for a while, though, since by the time my 818 is complete, we'll be in our 6 month dry season, and would have no use for it til around November!

[Goldwing]

Argh. That's what I was afraid of. The top rests on the roll bar. So now anyone even kinda tall has to spring for aftermarket seats to use the top. Tall guys are getting no breaks here... :(

Actually, looking at the pictures, i think I see daylight above the roll bar in the rear shot. A corner shot shows the soft top frame sitting above the roll bar. There may be some extra room there after all. A local guy is heading up there to pick up his kit in a few weeks. I'll ask him to sit in that car if it's there. He's taller than me.

Tmoretta - I'm planning on trying the spare too, but I'm trying to not use the trunk. Once the body panels are on, I'll search our options then.

[wallace18]

I ordered the top and side windows yesterday. The FFR guy on the phone said I was the first customer to order one. Not sure if that is true or not. I'll post when I get it and mounting details. This way I do not have to carry a car cover to shows every time.

[Frank818]

First customer deserves a rebate! lolll

[DayDreaming]

Nice photos. There is now an installation video on FFR youtube account

http://youtu.be/5vf7316pkYo