APE Hardtops/Cobra Car Tops Acquisition News

[Kris Anderson]

Hello to everyone in roadster land. My name is Kris Anderson and I'm the owner of Precision Composites Technologies, LLC in Scappoose, OR.

We have produced the MK3 and MK4 APE hardtops for Mike Kelley from 2017 to 2018. Those of you that bought a top from Mike during that time, should be aware of the quality of the finish and are welcome to address any concerns below. All of these were hand laminated, and we are looking to move away from that to a resin infused product.

As of 11/24/2021, we have acquired the whole hardtop business from Mike and will be producing these on our own. We currently have 3 tops in crates with at least one of them being a MK3. I'll have to open them all up and see what the others are along with what all is inside the crates.

We will be looking to do some re-tooling soon to make the manufacturing of these easier, more efficient, and more consistent with the move towards resin infusion.

Pricing will be determined shortly but shouldn't be far off from what they were being sold for originally from Mike. Be aware, however, that shipping prices are not what they were back in 2017-18, so expect some increase there.

Thank you for your time and interest in this product and we look forward to the future…

Kris Anderson

[Blitzboy54]

YES!!!! I have wanted one of these since day one. I am currently in the latter stages of building a MK4. I am absolutely interested.

[rtbellah]

I would be very interested in learning more about the MK4 hardtops. Curious what ballpark pricing would be and what a complete top includes (windows, hardware, etc) I would think many roadster owners would be interested if the tops are easy to install/remove and if the price is right. Can you post a link to any of the info I described above?

[Badfish]

:cool:

https://i.imgur.com/fy7mHam.jpg

[Kris Anderson]

I would be very interested in learning more about the MK4 hardtops. Curious what ballpark pricing would be and what a complete top includes (windows, hardware, etc) I would think many roadster owners would be interested if the tops are easy to install/remove and if the price is right. Can you post a link to any of the info I described above?

Note that these fit the FF Roadsters.
Side windows are an option. They mount at the top and swing upward and are equipped with quick release hinges. All hardware for mounting is included along with weather seals. Tops are mounted using 2 rear quick release latches and 2-4 front windshield clamps. The number of forward clamps depends on what is installed from FF when you got the car; 2 or 4 sunvisor clips. All tops come with instructions for mounting and how to properly set the correct angle of your windshield for the top.

[CaptB]

Interested. Put me on the list to check it out (if you have one going).

Capt. B

[mburger]

Wish these tops could fit the old girls like the Mk1 and Mk2, but get the reasons why it isn’t practical to manufacture a top to fit all revisions.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wish these tops could fit the old girls like the Mk1 and Mk2, but get the reasons why it isn’t practical to manufacture a top to fit all revisions.

Mark,
Kris stated that he has Mk3 molds and even has one in stock. Mk3 will fit Mk1 and 2. Mk4 doesn’t fit the earlier cars and vice-versa. When Craig Anderson first developed the APE tops there were only Mk1s!

Kris, any relation to Craig?

I’m working on a Mk4 with APE top currently.

Jeff

[ydousurf]

I am also interested in getting one of these for my ride! Kris, do you have more pictures of the rear view and what the attachment hardware looks like on the body?



I’m working on a Mk4 with APE top currently.

Jeff, can you share some more (info/pics) when you are able to do so? Does the (hardtop hardware) play nice if one was to get a soft top as well? Thanks!

[R. Button]

I had an early soft top that used lift-a-dot pins in the body that the rear of the soft top connected to. Those pins would have to be removed for the hard top. BUT if you have one if the new premium soft tops, they wil fit on the body - no lift-a-dot pins are used for the new premium soft tops.

From the original install doc's that Craig provided this is how the hard top is clamped to the body:

6. A properly positioned hardtop will rest comfortable and squarely on the rear deck about 1/2" - 3/4" in front of the FFR external trunk hinges. It is okay to have slight gap (1/4" -1/2") between the hardtop and body sills at the forward edge. -- the rear clamps will draw the top down slightly.

7. The Hardtop is clamped to the vehicle using custom c-clamps--provided-- as shown. While this is one of the strongest parts of the FFR cobra structure, care should be used so as to not crack paint or structure.

8. The best method of securing the clamps is by squeezing the hardtop and body together using your hand, then close the clamp snug--using the large rotator dial--to hold in place. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! The use of a wrench is NOT recommended.

9. A large 2" sill is molded into the hardtop's base. A low density, weather resistant 1/2" seal is used to conform and seal the hardtop to differing bodywork and shaping of the rear fenders. With the Hardtop gently snug-ed down with the rear clamps, check for gap variations. The seal will easily fill gaps up to 3/8" (Body work or body filler is generally not required.)

[Kris Anderson]

Mark,
Kris stated that he has Mk3 molds and even has one in stock. Mk3 will fit Mk1 and 2. Mk4 doesn’t fit the earlier cars and vice-versa. When Craig Anderson first developed the APE tops there were only Mk1s!

Kris, any relation to Craig?

I’m working on a Mk4 with APE top currently.

Jeff

No relation, only coincidence.

[Kris Anderson]

I am also interested in getting one of these for my ride! Kris, do you have more pictures of the rear view and what the attachment hardware looks like on the body?



Jeff, can you share some more (info/pics) when you are able to do so? Does the (hardtop hardware) play nice if one was to get a soft top as well? Thanks!

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[ydousurf]

Kris, thanks for the pics! I have a few questions, but I'll wait until I can contact you directly. I would be interested getting one.

[mburger]

Mark,
Kris stated that he has Mk3 molds and even has one in stock. Mk3 will fit Mk1 and 2. Mk4 doesn’t fit the earlier cars and vice-versa. When Craig Anderson first developed the APE tops there were only Mk1s!

Kris, any relation to Craig?

I’m working on a Mk4 with APE top currently.

Jeff

Ah, I’m a little more familiar in differences under the body. Thank you!

[Badfish]

BTW, I have a set (actually 3) APE flip up windows for sale if there’s any interest. PM me.

[pelzerd]

Anyone buy on of these top recently?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Anyone buy on of these top recently?

Shoot me a PM

Jeff

[John4337]

Before I stumbled on the one I just finished, I sent an email to him, but no response. Maybe an old email address, or they're not doing them anymore. Best of luck.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/https-www-ffcars-com-threads-ape-hardtop-cobra-car-tops-acquistion-643672-unread.644044/#post-6144790

John