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Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional hatch?
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Author:  CodySimonson [ June 6, 2019, 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional hatch?

Just like the title says. Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional hatch?

Author:  rx7locost [ June 6, 2019, 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Functional hatch? Please explain further.

I built a hardtop that hinges at the roll bar. It was easily removed with 2 bolts if desired.



Bill, (Tailwind) also built a hardtop. I can't remember if it hinges or not.

Then there is Gayle (veightseven) who built a full bodied Stalker.

I can't remember who right now, built a hardtop using a golf cart top.

Author:  CodySimonson [ June 7, 2019, 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

I mean functional like a hatch from a stock vehicle. Like a normal opening hatchback

Author:  rx7locost [ June 8, 2019, 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

I'm not aware of anyone. Perhaps you might look at Donkervoort for inspiration? lead the way. Others may follow.

Author:  JackMcCornack [ June 8, 2019, 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Gilbert "Mac" Macintosh, an early Lotus design engineer, came up with this lovely one for his Lotus 11 street car. See details at...

http://www.lotuseleven.org/DarkAges1/MacIntosh.htm

...from whence I lifted this photo. It's an interesting read.

For a typical Locost (or anything else with a roll bar) the attachment of the back of the roof to the chassis would have to be moved back a tad, but I think the concept is terrific.

Author:  CodySimonson [ June 9, 2019, 9:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

rx7locost wrote:
I'm not aware of anyone. Perhaps you might look at Donkervoort for inspiration? lead the way. Others may follow.


I'm actually making a Donkervoort-esque locost actually. Designed my own frame based off it's dimensions actually.

Looking at a Donkervoort is actually why I thought of it. I've been thinking that if I do this I'll probably use Miata hardtop hatches on the inside. I'm just unsure about how I'll go about sealing the windows. I need to take a look at how Miata hardtops accomplish this.

Author:  V8SEVEN [ August 12, 2019, 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Tilting the entire top back is a good idea but we had already built the trunk and that made it difficult to use. Thought about building a pop up hatch hinged at the top roll bar to cover the boot on the new car.
Might work....easy access to the boot.
Gale
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Author:  C10CoryM [ August 12, 2019, 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Could you just hinge/latch the rear window to get what you need? Probably easiest.

Author:  V8SEVEN [ August 15, 2019, 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

C10CoryM
Latched hatch glass was fairly easy to incorporate into the hard top and has worked well.

Author:  Wrxconedodger [ August 29, 2019, 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Seeing as i live in Alaska i was planning a hard top and was thinking gull wing doors are the answer. Something like the one above.

Author:  davew [ August 30, 2019, 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

If you are going with a hard top, then you will want to add a "LOT OF SOUND DAMPING MATERIAL" !!!!I have foam in the tunnel and sides and carpet on the floor but just with a soft top and doors it sounds like you are riding in a tin can full of loose ball bearing, when the cabin is closed up :ack: Davew

Author:  V8SEVEN [ August 31, 2019, 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone made a removable hardtop with a functional ha

Davew
You are right. Flat Aluminum riveted to a steel frame is basically a drum head. With out sound deadening obviously the result will be unacceptable to most...top or no top. The top will amplify the tin can racket inside the car. After riding in one without sound deadening we decided to put it on every panel. The result was great but added weight, so not the best Idea for Race car.
Gale

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