Hard top?

[Gadden]

Hi..

Living in a cold place in the world I was wondering if the 818 is going to get an hard top option?

//Mike

[Mechie3]

No.

[305mouse]

Nice answer Craig. There was talk of a coupe, but it will not be released right away. Someone also makes a hard top for the mk, so it was thrown around that somebody might be interested in making one or start making them. We'll have to wait and see what's next for ffr in regards to 818 updates.

[Hammink Performance]

I have seen some nice targa ideas come by on this forum, that with some side windows would be great!

[Mike N]

I would really like a hardtop but I think that with the current pre-order volume that the focus is likely to be elsewhere. I do hope that FFR will release a soft top similar to some that are available for the Solstice. In fact maybe there are parts that could be used from that platform? 13268 13269

[tirod]

While the roadster crowd enjoys the ability to shelter their vehicle half the year, the 818 could be different. It's going to attract a much younger buyer who may need to actually use the car more than sunny Sundays.

But, it becomes a tougher deal to finesse. The experience of the GTM and Coupe buyers and how they deal with the issue of a top is an example. The top itself, and how it integrates with the windshield and rear sails, plus back glass isn't too difficult. The expense is reasonable. What becomes an obstacle are roll up windows. That is a fabrication issue beyond the ability of most builders. Integrating the mechanism into the doors is mostly a choice between plexiglass sliders, or using a proprietary and existing mechanism from a donor. That donor's glass shape has to be compatible, and that creates a high standard. It has to fit to within a 1/8", and we can't cut tempered glass to make it fit.

Roll up window kits for the Coupe exist, about $3000. Ouch. There's the problem in a nutshell. It's a major area of coachbuilding construction, and the kit market finds it daunting. It's why the roadster is popular, and why coupes of any stripe so expensive.

Here's a view of what it takes to get the GTM windows set up :http://vraptorspeedworks.com/window-track-positioners/

The roof is easy, it's those darn roll up windows we take for granted. There's more to the mundane side of our daily drivers than we think. We tend to be engine centric because of our testosterone altered thinking. We all know the names of the great engine designers and builders from the past, but who can we credit for the first roll up window?

Once you get that figured out, then making a flat screen TV rise up out of it's cabinet is a piece of cake. Same kind of engineering. Those aren't cheap either.

[skullandbones]

Tirod,
You nailed it. The technology savvy like "fastthings" (did you see his window install videos?) have trouble with it. OMG. That could drive someone away from a GTM build if anything could. It isn't reasonable to include that task of operating windows in the same class as a low budget build (to facilitate a hard top install). I'm sure someone will do it but to expect that it will ever be a real kit option is a stretch! The 33 Hot Rod lends itself to easier rollups or power due to door construction. No such luck on the other projects. WEK.

[wallace18]

Well said. IMO the thought that you could use an 818 as a daily driver is a bit of a stretch. This will be a fun car but the normal creature comforts, we take for granted today will be hard and pricey to install in this car. It is a 10K kit after all.
While the roadster crowd enjoys the ability to shelter their vehicle half the year, the 818 could be different. It's going to attract a much younger buyer who may need to actually use the car more than sunny Sundays.

But, it becomes a tougher deal to finesse. The experience of the GTM and Coupe buyers and how they deal with the issue of a top is an example. The top itself, and how it integrates with the windshield and rear sails, plus back glass isn't too difficult. The expense is reasonable. What becomes an obstacle are roll up windows. That is a fabrication issue beyond the ability of most builders. Integrating the mechanism into the doors is mostly a choice between plexiglass sliders, or using a proprietary and existing mechanism from a donor. That donor's glass shape has to be compatible, and that creates a high standard. It has to fit to within a 1/8", and we can't cut tempered glass to make it fit.

Roll up window kits for the Coupe exist, about $3000. Ouch. There's the problem in a nutshell. It's a major area of coachbuilding construction, and the kit market finds it daunting. It's why the roadster is popular, and why coupes of any stripe so expensive.

Here's a view of what it takes to get the GTM windows set up :http://vraptorspeedworks.com/window-track-positioners/

The roof is easy, it's those darn roll up windows we take for granted. There's more to the mundane side of our daily drivers than we think. We tend to be engine centric because of our testosterone altered thinking. We all know the names of the great engine designers and builders from the past, but who can we credit for the first roll up window?

Once you get that figured out, then making a flat screen TV rise up out of it's cabinet is a piece of cake. Same kind of engineering. Those aren't cheap either.

[Silvertop]

But, it becomes a tougher deal to finesse.......... What becomes an obstacle are roll up windows. Integrating the mechanism into the doors is mostly a choice between plexiglass sliders, or using a proprietary and existing mechanism from a donor.................

Roll up window kits for the Coupe exist, about $3000. Ouch. There's the problem in a nutshell. It's a major area of coachbuilding construction, and the kit market finds it daunting. It's why the roadster is popular, and why coupes of any stripe so expensive........

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem with providing a coupe, a removable hardtop, or a hard targa for a kit car at this price point. Roll up windows are simply going to cost too much to be practical. The only realistic solution -- IHMO -- will likely be the use of plexiglass sliders. Its not the solution most will want -- but it may turn out to be the only one available. Personally, I'd be happy with a set of removable plexiglass sliders in a Targa configuration. Just my .02

[Erik W. Treves]

Where there is a will there is a way.....I used my first Cobra as a DD for 8+years! Driven in the snow and all. It can be done. I myself don't plan on waiting for the hardtop design on coming out.. I will be making one from the word go. Roll up windows might be a stretch, but we'll see. A hard top or soft top option for anything less than $3000 + the kit IMO is unrealistic. ...but I guess we'll see...For 10K already the kit is bargin in my opinion...would be need to see a bunch of options that one could add on, almost like ordering a pizza...that would be a neat idea...for 10K you get the plain cheese pizza version. +1K for race version, + 2K for targa +3K for Coupe and so on. just throwing it out there....for me...Hardtop! with either rollups or glass inserts a la coupe type.... for now...still planning...BIG TURBO :D

[Mechie3]

Nice answer Craig. There was talk of a coupe, but it will not be released right away. Someone also makes a hard top for the mk, so it was thrown around that somebody might be interested in making one or start making them. We'll have to wait and see what's next for ffr in regards to 818 updates.

Lol. I was using my phone in a plane and they were saying.g to turn off electronics. Haha

[Silvertop]

Where there is a will there is a way.....I used my first Cobra as a DD for 8+years! Driven in the snow and all. It can be done. I myself don't plan on waiting for the hardtop design on coming out.. I will be making one from the word go. Roll up windows might be a stretch, but we'll see. A hard top or soft top option for anything less than $3000 + the kit IMO is unrealistic. ...but I guess we'll see... :D

Likewise. Although my first choice would have been a Targa-top 818, I'm in from the gitgo. I'll build mine with the optional soft top and sidecurtains, even at a 3K premium. Then I 'll consider opting for a Targa a couple of years down the road, if it is designed in such a way that it can be retrofit.

[Oppenheimer]

Well said. IMO the thought that you could use an 818 as a daily driver is a bit of a stretch. This will be a fun car but the normal creature comforts, we take for granted today will be hard and pricey to install in this car. It is a 10K kit after all.

Yes, using the $10K Roadster version as a DD is more than a stretch. I have not heard anyone contemplating that. I have heard plenty pining for a hardtop or Coupe version to use as a DD. But then, such ones have a different definition of DD than most others. I think most that are thinking 818 DD are guys that might have DD a motorcycle, or at least are of that mindset. To them, 'Creature Comforts' are limited to some sort of heat, maybe some sort of A/C, and some sort of mostly water tight roof and window setup.

[wleehendrick]

Yes, using the $10K Roadster version as a DD is more than a stretch. I have not heard anyone contemplating that.

I plan on using mine as an almost-daily driver; at least as fair weather commuter. Living in San Diego, that's just about year-round! I will have either a soft-top, tonneau or car cover for parking at work, and plan to have a back-up/rainy-day car, though.

It may sound impractical, but I've been talking with a friend/co-worker who's daily driver is a '61 MG-A (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_MGA). He just put the soft-top on after six months of commuting daily in it top-less, I don't see it much of a stretch (at least in some parts of the country).

[timmy318]

I plan on using it as a DD. FFR already stated that they will not be releasing a hardtop at launch but instead will be offering a $3K soft-top :(! What I plan on doing is using the roadster as a daily driver and if/when they offer a targa/hardtop I will replace the roadster. Hopefully the way they go about designing the coupe or targa they take into consideration the countless other people who will have already bought the 818-S. Hopefully they design it in a way that you only have to either A, replace a small or singular panel or B, a bolt-on option. Anyways, just throwing my 2 ¢ out there!

[Hayai]

I think most that are thinking 818 DD are guys that might have DD a motorcycle, or at least are of that mindset. To them, 'Creature Comforts' are limited to some sort of heat, maybe some sort of A/C, and some sort of mostly water tight roof and window setup.

Motorcyclist here, What are these "Creature Comforts" of which you speak? :P

[narkosys]

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem with providing a coupe, a removable hardtop, or a hard targa for a kit car at this price point. Roll up windows are simply going to cost too much to be practical. The only realistic solution -- IHMO -- will likely be the use of plexiglass sliders. Its not the solution most will want -- but it may turn out to be the only one available. Personally, I'd be happy with a set of removable plexiglass sliders in a Targa configuration. Just my .02

FFr already offers a power window option for the 33 to go along with the removable hard top so FFr already has experience in offering this kind of thing. And considering all that you are replacing is essentially one panel on the 818 this can be done and at a reasonable price point. But it's going to take a bit more time to get it done as I am sure they are still experimenting with different designs/options.

P

[jlahl3160]

Rough cartoon of roll-up window.. showing up down position. I think it has possibilities.
13281

John

[305mouse]

Lol. I was using my phone in a plane and they were saying.g to turn off electronics. Haha

I figured something was up, your answers are never that short. That's a good thing.

[rjh2pd]

Rough cartoon of roll-up window.. showing up down position. I think it has possibilities.
13281

John

I like it. I think you could even rotate the window a bit more while it is in the door so the the back edge could reach further back into the black area which also could be glass. but that would give you better visibility. the one other thing that people coud do is zip up windows like they have in jeeps.

[Joe Miner]

Motorcyclist here, What are these "Creature Comforts" of which you speak? :P

Exactly. So long as there is a way to defrost the windshield and you don't get wet then you're good to go.

[metalmaker12]

FFR where's the hardtop guys???

[flynntuna]

Probably kept secret till Huntington Beach or open house :(

[Flamshackle]

When is open house or Huntington beach?

Dying to see this coupe!

[flynntuna]

When is open house or Huntington beach?

Dying to see this coupe!

HB in April and the open house in June. At least that's when it was the last couple years.

[metalmaker12]

I think a sooner release!! Say February

[Niburu]

Nothing since the Hard Top tease thread.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?15868-818-Hard-Top-Tease



Factory Five keeps teasing us this pictures like this! To see more pics of Factory Five post of A Day in the Life at Factory Five see link

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/day-life-factory-five/


34239

I think it's high time another photo gets "leaked" to the salivating masses.
Give us what we want Mr Smith!