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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 03:01 AM

With the trial run wrapping up this next week we have made some improvements and leared what works and what will not work. We continue to refine the processes and will probably even make more improvements as we continue production.

What is unique about this roof is that it is not just a piece of acrylic that was mounting hardware bonded to it, it actually uses a fiberglass substructure that is very simular to the OEM roofs. It also uses the OEM sytle rubber to seal, so it's much better at keeping water out than the old roofs that were available in the past. I felt that to just immitate a roof that had many problems I should try to make a significant improvements to the product. It also used hardware that is simular to the OEM mounts, except we created a new mechanism that should minimize overtightening. This was a failure mode on the old roofs.

We started the first run of roofs with the idea that we could keep the cost lower, and found that some of the assumptions we made were not quite correct, and wound up using diferent materials and processes. Of course they were more expensive and the times we planned were not even close to what we thought they would be. In reality we only had to increase the GB price by $65.

This roof comes with the rubber and mounting hardware. The mounting hardware will be attached, you will need to install the rubber as there is some variation as to where some need to mount.

I'll PM those that have signed up on the other thread. We will be able to do 2 roofs per week first prouction will be shipping July 11th. 2 per week.

Each roof has a serial number and your choice of shipping crate or Eccorrate.

Sign up here if you're interested. We are looking at a $350 deposit and balance + shipping due when it ships.

Just a heads up the size is 3rd oversize, so shipping I have seen so far is from $110-165.

The boxes run $50 for the laminated cardboard "crate" $85 for the wooden crate.


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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 03:02 AM

More


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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 03:04 AM

More


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Posted by: Philip W. Jul 1 2011, 06:19 AM

Count me in!!!!!!
I had already sent you PM last month on my interest in this when you are ready , so i am happy to be the first on this thread to confirm that i am still interested and will get you the deposit ASAP-

Phil Wagner
-philipjwagnerdc@gmail.com
843-812-6653

Posted by: 71six Jul 1 2011, 08:53 AM

I want into the group buy also I shot a message via the 914 Rubber.com contact link to you earlier today asking how to proceed
Look forward to hearing from you.
Mark

Posted by: StratPlayer Jul 1 2011, 09:15 AM

Count me in mikey.......

Posted by: Socalandy Jul 1 2011, 09:30 AM

I'm still in!!!

Thanks

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 11:08 AM

crate options-



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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 11:09 AM

Yes this will have plyood closing it up and screwed on.


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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 11:14 AM

Or the Eccorrate


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Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Jul 1 2011, 01:47 PM

now you need to make the front two holders in the trunk (white plastic) out of some softer plastic so they won't scratch the top when it gets put away? or am I wrong?

I do believe it wasn't recommended by you to not stow it away but sometimes it could happen.

Posted by: Jeff Bowlsby Jul 1 2011, 01:49 PM

Mike...can you tantalize us with a few close-up photos of the details...the front edge, the back corner, the underframe and mounts etc...

Posted by: StratPlayer Jul 1 2011, 07:58 PM

Glad I bought some extra sets of those soft rubber roof holders that some member put out a while back, they will come in handy with this new roof..

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 1 2011, 10:06 PM

While the dimmensions are very close, I do not recommend that this should be stored in the trunk. The acrylic can scratch and it's a lot of work to buff it out. I would save the shiping container and make a shrine in my garage to store it. In fact I had one guy mention that he was going to screw the wooden crate to the wall to use as a storage box.

Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Jul 1 2011, 10:40 PM

Ever? Not even for the 15 minute ride back home?

Just giving you shit Mark! You do A great job bringing this stuff to the market!

Posted by: 73Euro911S Jul 1 2011, 10:58 PM

Just a thought; maybe installing a high quality clear bra film on the roof might give you peace of mind as far as reducing the chance of scratching it.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 2 2011, 08:04 AM

I stored my Saratoga top in the truck and found that by cutting off the upper lips of the white targa top holder and lining the bottom lip with peel-off felt liner worked good. Then cover the top with a beach towl before closing.

Posted by: Loser_Cruiser Jul 2 2011, 10:10 AM

Two questions: could we do pick up instead of shipping and when would you like to have the group buy wrapped up by. Sorry if these have been answered.

Posted by: Niklas Jul 2 2011, 10:58 AM

Hello Mikey!
Is the rubber on your top the same as the one used on Saratoga top ?
I need the rubber for my Saratoga top that I bougth in germany on Ebay.

Niklas

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 2 2011, 12:41 PM

No, it's actually the same as the OEM rubber. Another advantage to using the same shape as the OEM roof, is I allready make the rubber.

Sorry

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 2 2011, 12:54 PM

Pick up is fine, it will save a fortune in shipping. the only issue is that with the day job that takes me out of town 4 days a week.

I planned to run the group buy for about a month. I know this is a large purchase, heck right now I'd have to scrape to come up with the coin. I was thinking about trying to get set up with the Bill me later folks to provide a finnancing option, but it may take a bit to get that set up.

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 2 2011, 12:58 PM

I actually thought of this as an option, but the material is expensive, and it adds one more step, and cost that I'm not really getting any break on, so I didn't include. I may look into this if there is enough demand. maybe a DIY "kit" would be the way to go.

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 14 2011, 12:06 PM

Got some bad news on the packaging side. My guy building the wooden crates now wants $85 a crate. I thought $65 WAS an excellent price, $85 a bit steaper, but they are very well made.

-mark

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 29 2011, 03:49 PM

Crate arrived today with the WAS top. Nice construction on the crate ! Will open the box tomorrow.


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Posted by: RoadGlue Jul 29 2011, 03:53 PM

Nice work Mark!

Posted by: patssle Jul 29 2011, 04:53 PM

Waiting a day to open the box? That's some self-discipline!

Posted by: Steve Jul 29 2011, 05:55 PM

Jim,

you should go to Cars and Coffee tomorrow to show it off. I will try not to drool over it. There's also the 356 car show at Dana Point this Sunday. All Porsche's even NARP's are welcome.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 29 2011, 06:59 PM

Good idea Steve, I was hoping to make it this Sat, but the top will take more time to setup. My thought was to make it the following Sat and give a few others advance notification. I saw the tops at the WCR in Medford, they are really nice and made better.

Posted by: Steve Jul 29 2011, 07:36 PM

Thanks Jim!! I can wait a week. I need to sell the 911 to free up some funds for toys like the was top.

Posted by: brant Jul 30 2011, 07:39 AM

Mine arrived
I can't wait to assemble and put it on the car!

lt looks great!
brant

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 30 2011, 07:44 AM

I'm going to be one step behind you, please post comments on the assembly that might be helpful. Pics are always cool...

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 30 2011, 01:34 PM

Got the crate opened today; this crate is gonna be perfect for storing the top. The padding is perfect. In the box with the top came two front latches, two side targa top rubber seals, and one rear seal. Each top has a serial number: mine is 002

The top feels lighter than I expected even though the side are beefed up.



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Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 30 2011, 02:33 PM

These actually turned out to be lighter than the OEM version, I was pleasantly suprised. The asswmbly that is required is pretty straight forward.
The rear seal needs to be put in place. The "hook assemblies" screw into the mounts on the roof (by hand). The mouonts have been preinstalled. Set the roof on the car. Hand tighten the "hook assemblies" at the front. Engage the rear latch downs.

This will allow you to mark on the rear seal where to cut and determine the placement of the side seals with your windows. You can mark the side seals to be cut to fit. By having you install the sides, you willl not have to adjust the angle of the window in or out to make it fit, making it ready to go into water as soon as they're on.

As a note from some feed back I have recieved, I've moved the serial numbers to the back of the roof where they are not visable when installed.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 31 2011, 01:48 PM

Mounted the crate to the garage wall for easy storage. Modified the top outer piece with dowl pins to make top removal easier.

Gotta paint the box...


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Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Jul 31 2011, 04:13 PM

Nice job Jim And I will keep my eye out for those frames!

Posted by: Mikey914 Jul 31 2011, 10:39 PM

Nice job Jim!
You may want a protective layer on the outside if you leave it open, but hinges will fix that. Maybe rip the top in half and make it like a short cabnet?

Posted by: jim_hoyland Aug 22 2011, 10:02 AM

Finished mounting and painting the shipping crate for WAS top storage as well as my regular top.


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Posted by: jim_hoyland Aug 22 2011, 10:06 AM

Couple of pics showing the stock top and WAS top fitment against the targa top seal, a really nice fit. Still have to mount the targa side seals...


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Posted by: Cevan Aug 22 2011, 11:15 AM

I think I want one of those. That'd be great in the spring and fall months.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Aug 22 2011, 02:07 PM

WHAT?!?!?!?!
You said it was going to be heavier, which allowed me to remove the item from my 914 dream budget. Now that it is another weight saving upgrade to my 914 'cafe racer' I must have one. Damn you!! I can not afford this!!

The one I saw at McMark's shop looked awesome.

Posted by: kerensky Aug 22 2011, 02:57 PM

I'd have thought a nice engraved gold plate with the new owner's name and the car's VIN along with the top serial number, prominently and centrally displayed, would've been more appropriate for this kind of purchase.

No, seriously, I'm amazed from the pics of this top and that you can produce and sell it at this price. Ain't no way I can make it into the group buy right now, but I *will* be a future customer.

Posted by: StratPlayer Aug 22 2011, 08:02 PM

Very nice, are all the roofs going to have to put on the top to window seals?

Posted by: jim_hoyland Aug 23 2011, 07:05 AM

I think so. The outer edge is very similar to the edge of the stock top; a flat area with sufficient room to stick on the top-to-window seal. I've yet to install them, as I have to re-install the targa top front seal.


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 23 2011, 11:58 PM

Yes the rear and side seals are an install that is done on your car. There is some variation between years and even car to car. The factory used chrome strips to hold the seals on. I have provided these with 3M HT 2 sided waterproof tape that will make them very easy to install.