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12-12-2003, 04:45 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Lexington,KY,
Posts: 513
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Not Ranked
Aluminum Hardtop project
The basic buck for my aluminun hardtop is done, but I need some advice to be able to continue. If anyone can help I would be grateful.
1) I don't know what type of sub-frame if any I need to make.
2) What type of window material do people use for projects like this, Lexan?
3) I don't know what to do about attachment points.
I think I have enough english wheel experience to make the panels and a friend is going to teach me to tig weld them together.
wish me luck
__________________
Roger
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12-12-2003, 05:26 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: McConnellsburg,
PA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA FIA #2124
Posts: 687
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Not Ranked
rbray:
Neat thread. I've always wanted to learn more about doing a project like this myself. Perhaps a number of us will learn from your ambition. Kudos to you! From my limited structural knowledge, I would think that you would need to fabricate a small diameter, 1/2" maybe, tube structure to provide the load-bearing requirements for attachment, wind load, fuzzy dice anchor point, etc. You would then "skin" this with your al-u-min-ium. Your buck appears to be of a LeMans/standard hybrid design. I think I'm gonna like it.
Can you keep us updated on your progress in your gallery??
Good luck!
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12-12-2003, 05:54 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: St. Lucia, West Indies,
WI
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique 427SC 383 stroker
Posts: 3,787
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Not Ranked
Very interesting project, Roger! I'll leave the subframe suggestions to others with relevant expertise, and my suggestion for the mounting points would be for the front - try adapting the same front (windshield) mounting system used on most manufacturer's soft tops. The rigidity of the aluminum top would negate the need for the center pins to slide into the windshield frame so a continuous channel with a neoprene weather seal using OEM latches/brackets at either end should work. For the body attachments, it looks like two rear threaded posts could insert into ferruled holes in the rear deck. Access through the trunk should allow you to tighten them down with wing nuts. Two more threaded posts could be placed to mount through ferrules in the body just behind each door and the nuts could be tightened from the cockpit. If the danger of paint damage during installation/removal is too great with fixed posts sticking out of the bottom of the hard top, try using threaded inserts in the body and bolting the top down from inside the cockpit once it is in place. You could also be real creative and adapt a C4 Corvette-type cable release attachment for the rear pins.
I am curious about the profile of your top. Could you post a pic showing the car and bucks from the side?
__________________
Tropical Buzz
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. -(wasn't me)
BEWARE OF THE DOGma!! Dogmatism bites...
Last edited by Buzz; 12-12-2003 at 05:57 AM..
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12-13-2003, 01:54 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Lexington,KY,
Posts: 513
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Not Ranked
Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
If you are interested in getting started metal working let me know, I would be gald to help. It really is easier than it looks.
Roger
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Roger
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12-23-2003, 01:53 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Anglesey,
UK
Cobra Make, Engine: Hawk 289FiA with Le Mans hardtop. AC CS(X)2131,289 (my father owned it from `67-`73)
Posts: 1,023
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Not Ranked
Hey Ray, nice project! Take a look at some of the pics in my gallery to see if you can spot some of the original LeMans mounting points, I can`t offer any help about actual mounting or construction techniques, but you may get some clues from the photies!
Nik.
__________________
"If I plagiarize, it's only because I like someone else's idea better than mine and I want credit for it."- Anna Sato-Williams.
"If I plagiarize, it's only because I like someone else's idea better than mine and I want credit for it."- nikbj68
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12-23-2003, 04:14 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 1,555
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Not Ranked
Great idea. I think that there was an aluminum hartop in a thread in the Kirkham subforum. I'll do a search and postup.
I'll also volunteer for the test version on a KMP Hybrid.
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12-23-2003, 05:04 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Los Angeles,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: E.R.A. FIA #2088 1964 289 w/Webers
Posts: 2,151
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Not Ranked
Great project! Keep updated photos in your gallery for us!!! Can't wait to follow your progress 
__________________
Hyde D. Baker
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12-23-2003, 06:14 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: england,
Posts: 19
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Not Ranked
The windscreen (windshield) is raked back a couple of inches on the Le Mans cars to make it more aerodynamic. The boot lid (trunk) is split in middle so it can be opened. A glass fibre one in UK costs about $1250. Aluminium with split boot about $6000. Anyone interested in importing one can email me.
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12-23-2003, 08:01 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cape Coral,
FL
Cobra Make, Engine: 2009 Solbra
Posts: 3,861
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Not Ranked
Here's a picture of a steel top made for an Everette Morrison by a local Floridian that was made to look like a convertible top. |
12-23-2003, 08:33 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Lexington,KY,
Posts: 513
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Not Ranked
Wow! that is a beautiful piece of work.
__________________
Roger
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10-11-2004, 12:34 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Anglesey,
UK
Cobra Make, Engine: Hawk 289FiA with Le Mans hardtop. AC CS(X)2131,289 (my father owned it from `67-`73)
Posts: 1,023
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Not Ranked
It`s been a while, just wondering how you got on with building this top?
__________________
"If I plagiarize, it's only because I like someone else's idea better than mine and I want credit for it."- Anna Sato-Williams.
"If I plagiarize, it's only because I like someone else's idea better than mine and I want credit for it."- nikbj68
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10-11-2004, 01:35 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Lexington,KY,
Posts: 513
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Not Ranked
Thanks for the interest in the project.
Actually I have not worked on the top this summer.... I' ve been having too much fun driving the car.
I plan to start up again this winter. Although I learned a lot I have had to scrap the buck. No big deal. I thing I've learned with metal work that one has to be willing to make a large pile of scrap before the final project is finished.
I'll keep you all posted when I start back up this winter
__________________
Roger
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12-29-2004, 03:51 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Reading, Royal Berkshire, UK,
Ber
Cobra Make, Engine: Dax Supertube, 427 Side Oiler
Posts: 27
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Not Ranked
Check the gallery and search for PSF all photos, you will see an all alloy gullwing roof, check the inside picture for construction, SOLID!
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Performance-Standard-Fabrications, UK, +44 (0)118 9617877
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