Modified FFR/Rod Top with Quarter Windows for my Mk4 Roadster

[GWL]

Rod Tops Convertible Top with Quarter Windows for my Mk4 Roadster

OK, I have posted before that I liked the premium top that FFR sells. However, there were two options that I would like to see with it. One was a zip out back window to increase air flow and decrease buffeting inside the cockpit at speed and the other was quarter windows to increase visibility.

Prior to buying the top from FFR I contacted Chad Draper, President and Sales Engineer of Rod Tops. They could do the quarter windows but not the zip out back window. Cost would be $150 for both quarter windows. Well, during the last sale FFR had I bought the premium top and contacted both Rod Tops and FFR to coordinate the change I wanted. If anyone is interested you can order your top from FFR and just contact Chad at Rod Tops for this modification.

I then worked up a modified picture of Dave Smith’s Mk4, from the open house in 2010 while still in silver, with the premium top and my concept of what the windows would look like. Chad agreed that in concept that was also what he was thinking.

Dave Smith’s Mk4 at the 2010 Open House at FFR:
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/OpenHouse2010033_zps5bd7903c.jpg

My concept picture:
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/OpenHouse2010033wquarterwindow2_zpsc555db8d.jpg

Dave Smith’s Mk4
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/OpenHouse2010029_zps919da2f9.jpg

My concept:
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/OpenHouse2010wwindow029_zps3a6ad133.jpg

I sent these pictures off the Chad at Rod Tops and he said I was inline with what they were going to do. Chad said he would send me some pictures of the top being made.

George

To continue in the next post

[GWL]

These are pictures of my Rod Top being made:

This is the template they made for the quarter windows:
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2152_zps79a28948.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2153_zpseee534fe.jpg

During construction:
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2158_zps938b3e03.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2160_zps50e2dbb5.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2155_zps1f11734e.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/100_2154_zpsbd51bbd7.jpg

George

[GWL]

This is the box the top and related parts came in
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/NewRodTopforRoadster001_zps11da1b72.jpg

On one side of the box are the side curtains in a canvas bag
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/NewRodTopforRoadster006_zps9d8f32c3.jpg

Then I pulled out the top packaged in a long canvas bag
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/NewRodTopforRoadster009_zpsbbceb7f6.jpg
Unrolling the top
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/NewRodTopforRoadster012_zps23842eae.jpg

So, here it is ready to mount onto my car when it’s done.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Convertible%20Top%20by%20Rod%20Tops/NewRodTopforRoadster019_zpsfdf9633e.jpg

The top was very easy to re-roll and put back into the bag.

Now, I can’t wait to finish the car this winter. Yes, it will be this winter unless our house sells. I want the house to sell and I don’t want it to sell, but that is another story.

George

[bsnyder]

Wow. Very Nice. I have this top. I wonder if they would be willing to modify my top if I shipped it back to them?

Bruce

[CraigS]

I wonder what the problem is w/ doing a zip out rear window.I have an APE top and have made the rear window easily removeable for just the reason you stated. W/ the side windows and rear window out there is a very nice flow of air through the top and the buffeting against the side of my head is maybe 25% what it is w/ the rear window in.

[Raceral]

Lots of hard work. The ease of the Whitby top and the amount of rear window worked so well for me. The on and off time were less then 5 or 6 min.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/raceral/ALs%20Cobra/MyCobra002.jpg

[Martin]

Subscribing so I don't forget about this.

I'm planning on making up my own hard top (call me crazy!), but if I bite off more than I can chew, this will be what I come back to.

Martin

[Svtjackal]

that looks awesome, I want a FFR premium top, I hope that they decide to include the quater windows on the newer tops then I will be ordering, or when they have a sale, whichever happens first:)

[GWL]

that looks awesome, I want a FFR premium top, I hope that they decide to include the quater windows on the newer tops then I will be ordering, or when they have a sale, whichever happens first:)

Svtjackal,

Just order the top from FFR and give Chad a call at the number below for the quarter windows. When Rod Tops gets your order from FFR it has your name on the order as they then ship directly to you from Rod Tops when it is complete.


Bruce,

Give Chad a call. They do lots of custom stuff. Rod Tops, Chad Draper at 231-599-3123

Craig,

I should have asked as they do it for other tops. My guess would be the way the top is tensioned into place needs the window to be there so proper that tension can be achieved across the entire back of the top. In addition, when the window is zipped out it would have to lay and fold over the rear cockpit edge of the body possibly causing chaffing of the clear material. I can hear someone saying after their window became scratched up saying "Why the hell did they design it that way". Of course someone could put some proper protection to avoid that chaffing.

Martin,

I like the idea of making your own top. Go for it. Depending on what is going on, I may try to do the same. Search hard tops at ffcars for some how to do it threads on making your own hard top. Lots of neat ideas there.

Raceral,

I went back and forth for a long time about which top to get. First, I will run the car with the top down at times but because of a skin condition I have to stay out of the sun as much as possible so I wanted a good top. So, when my top is up I want it to work well and I want to stay dry when it rains. I have driven sports cars for many years and I have never been able to understand the thought of most of the owners driving in the rain without a top, I just don't get it.:confused: But that's just me. I also plan some long road trips and want to be as 'relatively' comfortable as I can in this animal. Again, that is just me. :cool:

George

[shagydeep]

Hello,
That's looks cool. You actually made Rod top, I am impressed...