Hardtop feeler/gauge

[07FIREBLADE]

Just saw the newsletter and there is talk of a possible hardtop being developed if there is enough community interest... So let's get this ball going. It's most likely going to be based on VMANs design. $1999 and it's removable. Where and who do I send a check to.

[mikeb75]

Sign me up. Concept image looked perfect.

[Xusia]

If true, I'm interested.

[Evan78]

Unless I missed it, it seems they forget to add a link or instructions on how to actually respond to the question.

818 Removable Hard Top: You Make the Call

The 818S soft top looks good and is VERY weather tight affording owners a good all-weather option even good enough for air conditioning. The demand, however, for a removable hard top has been difficult to gauge, so I've decided to ask the people who have supported the 818 project the most (our customers) a question about the hard top.

Question: Would you purchase a removable hard top for your 818S (the R roll bar is too high)? The target price is $1,999.

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No mention of windows.

[Jaime]

I'd be all over this. If they make a hard top, then I'm getting that instead of the soft top.

[oki-ra]

I would take the hard top over a soft top any day, and if it costs less than the soft top that's just a bonus.

[Canadian818]

I'm in! 2k isn't bad, but shipping is going to hurt. Hopefully Mechie is interested too, so he can engineer some roll up windows

[rori]

I want one.

[FFR-ADV]

Please sign me up!

I am excited to see Vman7's design carried out ... installed on my 818S (#39)

Cheers!

[Goldwing]

I'm interested. I'd love to see a targa insert option, but hard top is preferred to soft top for me. If not offered, I'll eventually make my own. I'd rather not have to do it myself.

[DruOdil]

I am in also.

[Outwest]

Count me in, I would order the hard top over the soft top anyday!!

[flynntuna]

From a future 818 builder, Yes.

[Joseph]

I am absolutely in on a removable hardtop. I would love to have someone engineer some roll up windows as well. The idea that the hardtop would cost less than the removable top is just gravy.

[apexanimal]

Hardtop over soft top all day

However, would this take the place of the couple they may or may not build?

[bompus]

Definitely yes. Of course we would need to find a solution for windows, preferably ones that can roll up and down

[metalmaker12]

Hardtop all day long over soft top, and cheeper!!!

[riptide motorsport]

Yes..

[metros]

Hardtop is much more appealing to me. Side windows aren't absolutely necessary for me to be interested.

[AZPete]

Just saw the email from FFR. Of course I'll buy the hard top but I'm buying the soft top first.

[icky]

im in.

[bbjones121]

I would be in for the hard top also. But I think the back lid needs to be redesigned with something like Vmans upper scoops. The original discussions from FFR was that there was going to be multiple designs on this chassis. The chassis was built to be extremely versatile. If I remember, there was going to be a roadster, street version, and an aerodynamic/high mileage coupe. Several designs from the competition looked very promising for the high mileage coupe. Vmans, Rodneys, and Shawn Whetstones were among the top on my list.

Anyway, I love the car as it is now and the soft top looks amazing, but a removable hard top with different back lid for cheaper than the convertible soft top would be very nice.

[Mechie3]

It would depend on quality and figment. Getting a hardtop to fit with your specific 818 body panels is harder than a soft top. There has been a bit of variability we've seen in installing panels with few hard numbers to verify where things should be, we just know where they end up working.

[Goldwing]

Due to economics, I bet the roadster and street version, mentioned above, will be the same car. You can sell more options when you can sell them to everyone who has already purchased an 818 kit. The high mpg version might stray due to aero changes likely being more dramatic and with an obvious need for a smooth top.

Looks like I'll definitely be wrapping my car. I don't want to paint it until I can paint the whole thing at once. I'll need to wait for this to be developed.

[Buzz Skyline]

Just saw the newsletter and there is talk of a possible hardtop being developed if there is enough community interest... So let's get this ball going. It's most likely going to be based on VMANs design. $1999 and it's removable. Where and who do I send a check to.

Me too!

[Erik W. Treves]

I have money now...!!!

[tmoretta]

Of course for those of us likely to raise the roll bar to afford more head room (broomstick test over helmet), both the optional soft top and the proposed hard top would not fit. As of now neither new top is slated to fit the R model (roll bar too high).

[svanlare]

If the top is targa style I'm probably in, if not, soft top for sure.

[Racebrewer]

One. Please.

[wleehendrick]

Given where I live, I can get year-round use from an open roadster, so I'll pass on the hard top. On the few cold, rainy days we have, I'll prefer to drive our Audi Quattro and keep the 818 safe in the garage.

[DMC7492]

I'll Take one up here in Wisconsin due to the short season already . As expressed already the fittment will most likely be best during the build not after. Hopefully the side window package will follow!!
Don.
Still waiting for kit but expecting at the end of April!!

[Canadian818]

Of course for those of us likely to raise the roll bar to afford more head room (broomstick test over helmet), both the optional soft top and the proposed hard top would not fit. As of now neither new top is slated to fit the R model (roll bar too high).

Not sure the broom stick test applies with a hardtop.

[flynntuna]

It would depend on quality and figment. Getting a hardtop to fit with your specific 818 body panels is harder than a soft top. There has been a bit of variability we've seen in installing panels with few hard numbers to verify where things should be, we just know where they end up working.

IMHO fitment would be easier using a targa top. A new engine cover and a top combo, there would be a bit of room to move pieces around to keep the fitment at the windshield watertight and the gaps around the engine cover consistent.

[Slatt]

I ordered my kit with the assumption that a hardtop would eventually be available, I thought it was already promised by FFR and the only question would be "when". Frankly, an open top is a tough sell around here. For example this would be a great time to hit the road with a finished kit (or this time next year, eh?) since we have sunny days now. But the snow is still melting and the roads have huge puddles in random locations. When other cars hit those puddles, well, I'm not talking raindrops here, think "Poseidon Adventure". A hardtop with slide-up windows is pretty much mandatory for me and I hope it'll be available by next spring.

[wallace18]

I am in.

[Lmmmax]

sign me up

[07FIREBLADE]

I wonder what FFR considers as enough interest to get the ball rolling on this. Do we need to meet X people to start RnD. Or have Y people do some sort of deposit like how we did for the actual kit. Hopefully Dave or one of the techs will see this an elaborate a bit more.

[Vman7]

Newsletter? I gather it's just for those who have a deposit or have bought an 818.

It will be interesting to see how the hardtop develops. It's exciting to see how Dave Smith and FFR develops and grow their company, especially over the last few years. Dave Smith and FFR have a lot of stuff going on. I for one don't know how they all stay sane....lol

David

[metalmaker12]

I have money now...!!!

Any bites on your car, I actually had a couple offers and it's not even done. Thing is I am not selling it.

[Blitzkrieg]

It's a go for me!