2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Vert conversion?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2007 | 10:15 PM
  #1  
TheGrim's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: USA
Vert conversion?

I have a 1990 convertible and the top leaks. I'd like to switch it to a removeable hardtop. I've seen some for miata's and s2k's but not the fc3s.

Anyone know where i can get one?
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 01:33 AM
  #2  
t-too's Avatar
Fast when it works
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Missoula MT usa
You probably wont 'find' one, but if you have alot of money you could have one made. Ive never heard of anybody doing it.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 02:55 AM
  #3  
reatrdedspleen's Avatar
D1 Drifter Status
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
There was a post about this maybe a year ago, somebody has done it. Although i dont remember it being very pretty.


I want to do the same thing.. im going to build a drift vert, and i wanna have the option of a removeable hard top.


Found these in this Thread https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/vert-hardtop-where-find-351402/








Those were the only ones i was able to find.. i tried looking for this car on car domain.. but no luck.. but i didnt try very hard, so if anybody else wants to look have at
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:08 AM
  #4  
clokker's Avatar
Cake or Death?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 64
From: Mile High
Looks like they pulled a mold right off a real cloth top and replicated the droops and high points in fiberglass.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:18 AM
  #5  
slow_2ed_gen's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: fort myers beach, FL
Originally Posted by clokker
Looks like they pulled a mold right off a real cloth top and replicated the droops and high points in fiberglass.
yea, thats kinda shady lookin...
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 11:19 AM
  #6  
TheGrim's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: USA
that looks nasty imo. i'd have it black fiberglass. carbon fiber would be kool, but expensive.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 12:25 PM
  #7  
Ashyukun's Avatar
FCs** the new Pokemon
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
I don't see the point in it, really. You're going to have to put in a roll cage of some sort to replace the top hardware to get any rollover protection, and unless you've got outright holes in the top I can't see it being that much less prone to leaking than a regular convertible top (since it's most likely to leak around the edge seals- though this does look like it would be eliminating the targa & the seals between it and the top). Plus, I'd imagine that it would cost you less in time & materials to simply replace the top.

Of course, if you really like the way it looks better, that's of course up to each individual.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 03:56 PM
  #8  
Juiceh's Avatar
Saiga-12 Power!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,385
Likes: 2
From: N of Chicago
I bet that when it rains it sounds like someone is using the top of your car as a drum.


Originally Posted by Ashyukun
You're going to have to put in a roll cage of some sort to replace the top hardware to get any rollover protection, and unless you've got outright holes in the top I can't see it being that much less prone to leaking than a regular convertible top (since it's most likely to leak around the edge seals- though this does look like it would be eliminating the targa & the seals between it and the top).
I think the most prone to leak spot is the front corners of the targa section where it meets the top of the windscreen. At least thats where mine leaks. I think that would wind up being a big problem for a FG replacement.

Last edited by Juiceh; Feb 20, 2007 at 04:01 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:31 PM
  #9  
Asterisk's Avatar
iRussian
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: midwest IL, USA
what if.... you replace the doors with coupe ones and weld/ rivet on a sheetmetal roof? using flat pieces of aluminum so it does not "flex"? It's hard to describe, but i got it all in my head just in case, lol.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:54 PM
  #10  
reatrdedspleen's Avatar
D1 Drifter Status
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I think that, that hard top was prolly somebody with some experience with fiberglass doing it himself at home. and for that it came out pretty good i think.

I think it would cost a lot of money.. but the only way to make a hard top, and have it look decent, like the miata for instance, is to go to a REALLY GOOD fiberglass customs shop, tell them what your looking for, and have them make you some drawings so you can see what it would look like, and then invest the money and have them make it so its removeable.


Theres no reason that if its done right it cant look good, or its GOING to leak, hell you could even still have the removeable targa. I think it would save a lot of wieght over the regular top, since it could be completly removed as well.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2007 | 08:10 PM
  #11  
hanman's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL
Why not just buy a coupe? It would cost a hell of a lot less.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2007 | 03:44 PM
  #12  
cshawn11378's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
haveing fiberglass expierience my guess would be that it isnt a vert anymore. the top probably doesnt come off. you can see the seems and alos where the covered the are that was the mounting point for the soft top. i may be wrong but it most likely is just fibergalss laid over the ver top and painted. look like junk to me. buy a coupe.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2007 | 03:55 PM
  #13  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
That top looks like a first effort, and in that case it turned out quite well considering. Some more effort to fill in the highs and lows so it looks more uniform and it would be a very nice piece.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MidnightOwl
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
1
Sep 25, 2015 10:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 AM.