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Deciding on type of 818 to build. I want the 818S with removable hardtop so I'm looking for pictures of a completed vehicle to see how it looks with & w/o the top, as well as, the process for removing & replacing the hardtop. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thx Mav
I don't think it works that way. It was a lot of trouble to fit the top and the entire rear section of the body is different between the S and C models. I am sure that one of the more experienced members can give you a more definitive answer.
It's not removable to the point of "oh, I think I'll just pop this off before a drive today". The windshield is integrated into the hardtop. To remove it you need to unbolt the windshield frame and the top, install either an R or S windshield, and the engine cover (not included in the hardtop coupe kit). Once converted it will look the same as an S. It's probably a couple hour task.
818S with removable hardtop in place is the same as the 818C. The coupe top is removable, but will take a few hours to accomplish as it includes swapping windshields. So, the photos are on FFR's website. There is a softtop that fits the 818S model. There is no hardtop unique to the 818S, only the coupe hartop that fits the 818S when its windshield and rear engine cover/trunk cover are removed.
-Ben
Cool, Pete how long does take to make the switch?
Mitch, let's see . . . it was an 818S, then I got the hard top and new front in August to convert to an 818C, now it's January . . . 4 months? ;)
I haven't converted it back and forth from a C to S to C, but I think I could do it in 2 to 3 hours. I doubt I'll ever convert it to an S because I really like the snug hard top, but I could. The S windshield and the two engine covers are hanging in my garage in case I want to go topless, or for the next owner.
Here's a video of a wind tunnel test that FFR conducted with the 818 c,s and r. It's obvious in the video that the the s and c are the same car( since the panels don't match in color). They start with the coupe and while testing the r they swapped the coupes hard top to s configuration.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...dtunnel-Tested
I've seen still pictures of the session but can't seem to find them.
There are pictures in the gallery section of the FFR website of the 818 s and c , pretty sure it's the same black car.
http://www.factoryfive.com/galleries...18-sports-car/
http://www.factoryfive.com/galleries...ack-818-coupe/
Thx guys. I just could not understand how the top was removable. The whole idea makes a lot more sense to me now. I appreciate the explanations, pics and videos.
Unerstanding what it takes to "pop off" the hardtop makes it clear to me that the 818C will be a better choice for me. Thx again Mav