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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Saratoga tops- paging mickey914
Posted by: Menmojo Sep 18 2015, 07:35 PM
Paging Mickey914
I read on old post on rennlist that you were in the process of re manufacturing Saratoga tops for 914's.
If this is true I really want to buy one!
Please give us an update if you are still plan on making these.
Posted by: porschetub Sep 18 2015, 07:38 PM
Paging Mickey914
I read on old post on rennlist that you were in the process of re manufacturing Saratoga tops for 914's.
If this is true I really want to buy one!
Please give us an update if you are still plan on making these.
Didn't he just do a ''one off'', hope not, they would be a good seller ,could be pricey though.
Posted by: wes Sep 18 2015, 08:19 PM
I've got one of the 914rubber Saratoga tops that I bought from Jim, I believe Mark was making them for a while, and there was some talk of doing them again though haven't heard anything of late. I had one of the original Saratoga tops and the one Mark made is much better!
Posted by: Menmojo Sep 18 2015, 08:38 PM
I've got one of the 914rubber Saratoga tops that I bought from Jim, I believe Mark was making them for a while, and there was some talk of doing them again though haven't heard anything of late. I had one of the original Saratoga tops and the one Mark made is much better!
I need to new top for my 914 project. The one I have has a corner cracked off.
My thought was this might be a better option than refinishing another regular top?
Posted by: Mike Bellis Sep 18 2015, 09:23 PM
I've got one of the 914rubber Saratoga tops that I bought from Jim, I believe Mark was making them for a while, and there was some talk of doing them again though haven't heard anything of late. I had one of the original Saratoga tops and the one Mark made is much better!
I need to new top for my 914 project. The one I have has a corner cracked off.
My thought was this might be a better option than refinishing another regular top?
You most likely will find them at 914rubber.com His tops are called WAS tops. I think it stands for Way Ass Superior or something completely different...
Posted by: ben*james Sep 18 2015, 09:43 PM
Wait, what? A part to buy that doesn't require tools? I'm in. How bout it Mark?
Posted by: Mikey914 Sep 19 2015, 07:57 AM
Yes,
We have been retooling to make these in a more production environment. We actually plan to re launch these after the dashes are complete. So your timing is good.
Look for a thread in about 4 weeks. I still have some others that wanted these so this has been an ongoing project. They will be a step up in quality too.
Posted by: griffindoug Sep 19 2015, 08:48 AM
Yes,
We have been retooling to make these in a more production environment. We actually plan to re launch these after the dashes are complete. So your timing is good.
Look for a thread in about 4 weeks. I still have some others that wanted these so this has been an ongoing project. They will be a step up in quality too.
Is there a photograph for what these look like?
Posted by: Mikey914 Sep 19 2015, 06:47 PM
Not the new ones, as the design will be changed slightly but pretty much like this (only not blue).
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Posted by: Mikey914 Sep 19 2015, 06:49 PM
The gray is the early design on the old one, the blue is one of the last I made for my car.
Posted by: RRietman Sep 19 2015, 06:56 PM
I have an original top with a fixed sunroof installed, if anyone is interested. FREE come and get it in Bellingham Wa.
Randy
Posted by: Mike Bellis Sep 19 2015, 11:22 PM
I like the blue one!
Posted by: porschetub Sep 20 2015, 09:22 PM
The gray is the early design on the old one, the blue is one of the last I made for my car.
Hi did you get my email re:shipping my order? by the way these are very nice.
Posted by: Mikey914 Sep 21 2015, 09:44 AM
The gray is the early design on the old one, the blue is one of the last I made for my car.
Hi did you get my email re:shipping my order? by the way these are very nice.
PM me the time you sent it and I'll look it up. If I didn't respond within a day I'd say I didn't see it. PM me or email as high priority I'll get back to you today.
Mark
Posted by: Menmojo Jan 10 2016, 01:07 PM
Any updates from Mickey914?
Are you still planning on building and selling these?
Let me know......I'm a buyer. 
Posted by: Starlack Jan 10 2016, 01:58 PM
I would like to have one too
Posted by: GeorgeRud Jan 10 2016, 02:55 PM
I have an original Saratoga top for my 911 Targa, and they really are nice if you like the open feel (even on days that don't allow top down motoring). These should be possible, but I would recommend trying to incorporate a third brake light into the design if possible as the added visibility is an excellent safety feature for a 914 because of the preponderance of SUVs and brain dead drivers.
Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 10 2016, 11:51 PM
We could incorporate the 3rd brake light pretty easily, the wiring becomes the issue. It needs to go into the car so additional wiring and routing is necessary on the owners end. I may play around with this on this next run.
We have invested into making a better product and have a short waiting list right now. But I will contact anyone who wants one after I fill the ones owed.
Posted by: budk Jan 11 2016, 07:22 AM
We could incorporate the 3rd brake light pretty easily, the wiring becomes the issue. It needs to go into the car so additional wiring and routing is necessary on the owners end. I may play around with this on this next run.
We have invested into making a better product and have a short waiting list right now. But I will contact anyone who wants one after I fill the ones owed.
It seems like putting the 3rd light in/on the targa bar would easier and more useful. That would allow the removal of the roof while keeping the light. There have been many discussions about this in the past with various ways of doing it.
I suggest you look into making a LED 3rd brake light kit and sell it as a separate item.
Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 11 2016, 08:03 AM
Yes, it could be a stand alone pretty easy. We have looked at embedding in the unit also. I'll post more as we get a little further along, but there is a pretty slick idea we have if it works properly.
Posted by: RobW Jan 11 2016, 09:05 AM
I like the blue one!
Posted by: SKL1 Jan 11 2016, 12:19 PM
Still have an original one I've had since the early '70's. It's ok, but never fit all that well and was pretty hot in the summer. The view through it was kind of neat but I've never really used it that much.
I'd rather just have the top off!
Posted by: jfort Jan 12 2016, 10:21 AM
I usually keep my top off, too. But I'd be interested in a gray one.
I agree that the 3rd brake light should be offered, if at all, as a separate item. Mine is attached under the roll bar.
Posted by: Steve Jan 12 2016, 11:28 AM
Mark aka Mikey
Are you still making these tops? I don't see them on your web site. I thought there was also an interest in just making a top replacement?
Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 12 2016, 11:44 AM
Yes we have re tooled to make them more consistent. We were laying these up by hand and the process was to labor intensive. We are about ready to put into production. These will be $950 full retail once we have the production up. We will offer a GB price to those that are interested here that will be less than the full retal, and there are a few on a waiting list from when we started the tooling that we will need to fill 1st. Yes we will be doing a run, but these are not currently a stocked item. More than likely we will do a run and have some stock and it may be awhile before we run more again.
Mark
Posted by: Menmojo Mar 14 2016, 07:09 PM
Mikey....any updates on the Saratoga tops? Spring is right around the next turn!
Please make sure I'm on your list as a buyer when you start production again.
Posted by: Starlack Aug 28 2016, 01:43 PM
hello do you have updates on the Saratoga/WAS top?
Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 28 2016, 02:12 PM
Yes, was a bit busy this last week as we are finishing up the new rain trays. Had a chance to get a pull on the new mold and YES much better and uniform. I should have more for you later in the week as I do the day job til wed. Just need to post some progress, but we will be into production in about 2 weeks at most.
Mark
Posted by: sb914 Aug 28 2016, 02:37 PM
Posted by: eric9144 Aug 29 2016, 10:41 AM
Interested too, kept putting it off on the 1st couple runs and want one!
![popcorn[1].gif](style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Posted by: chipbell Sep 16 2016, 03:41 PM
I sent an email via your website. Please put me on the waiting list as well. Thanks.
Posted by: N_Jay Sep 16 2016, 04:57 PM
OK, another darn thing I am going to have to spend money on.
If their is an interest list add me.
Blue would be great, grey/smoked is second choice.
Did you say somewhere back in the thread about a dash? Any chance it is a 911 style?
Posted by: Mikey914 Sep 17 2016, 12:45 AM
Did a test pull with a piece of plastic with too much moisture in it, more of a proof of concept, it turned out out great (other the the bubbles)! So I have some fresh material coming in this next week.
Mark
Posted by: Starlack Oct 7 2016, 10:36 AM
Hello
In the last few weeks I've been working on building the Saratoga roof myself. Here is the result.
Posted by: N_Jay Oct 7 2016, 10:55 AM
Hello
In the last few weeks I've been working on building the Saratoga roof myself. Here is the result.
You are the man!
How many hours; how many dollars?
Posted by: Mueller Oct 7 2016, 11:08 AM
Hello
In the last few weeks I've been working on building the Saratoga roof myself. Here is the result.
Nice job!
Posted by: altitude411 Oct 7 2016, 06:39 PM
That looks fantastic! Nice work.
* not meant to derail Marks thread*
Are you happy with the result? Anything you'd change on the next one?
Posted by: Mikey914 Oct 7 2016, 09:11 PM
Interesting. Did you gut a stock roof to make it? We pulled a few this last week, and have 8 fiberglass shells ready, just need to assemble. Haven't had the time due to the day job. Will start this next week.
M8
Posted by: Ian Stott Oct 8 2016, 06:06 AM
Isn't there a difference between years for fit, mine doesn't fit snug, I have a small gap where the window doesn't quite meet the roof rubber. Bought new rubber from you a while ago, which was a bitch to install, lots of soap required! I probably have the wrong roof. Point is your Saratoga top might solve this issue for me.
Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada
Posted by: Starlack Oct 8 2016, 06:23 AM
Hello everybody
Yes it is a converted original roof. There are one or two little things I would change. But not much. It is certainly not as good quality as the roof of the Mikey914 but it has become very good as I find and I like it. Especially since the effort has kept me limited. The main problem is to bring the acrylic glass into the right shape. If you know how is that no problem.
On the next roof, the little things will not be any more ...
I drove today for the first time and it is already a crazy feeling with it.
It is just as bright as without a roof without wind. Very strange but nice.
Lan Scott. Sorry iam not understand what is the Question from You
Posted by: Ian Stott Oct 8 2016, 06:42 AM
Hello everybody
Yes it is a converted original roof. There are one or two little things I would change. But not much. It is certainly not as good quality as the roof of the Mikey914 but it has become very good as I find and I like it. Especially since the effort has kept me limited. The main problem is to bring the acrylic glass into the right shape. If you know how is that no problem.
On the next roof, the little things will not be any more ...
I drove today for the first time and it is already a crazy feeling with it.
It is just as bright as without a roof without wind. Very strange but nice.
Lan Scott. Sorry iam not understand what is the Question from You
Is there a difference between years reference fit, for roofs?
Ian
Posted by: mepstein Oct 8 2016, 06:53 AM
Hello everybody
Yes it is a converted original roof. There are one or two little things I would change. But not much. It is certainly not as good quality as the roof of the Mikey914 but it has become very good as I find and I like it. Especially since the effort has kept me limited. The main problem is to bring the acrylic glass into the right shape. If you know how is that no problem.
On the next roof, the little things will not be any more ...
I drove today for the first time and it is already a crazy feeling with it.
It is just as bright as without a roof without wind. Very strange but nice.
Lan Scott. Sorry iam not understand what is the Question from You
Is there a difference between years reference fit, for roofs?
Ian
Yes, there is an early and a late roof. I'm pretty sure early goes through '72 and late from '73 on but I won't swear to it. The window fit will be different to the roof so it does matter.
Posted by: Starlack Oct 8 2016, 07:27 AM
OK. now.
Yes there are differences. Somewhere someone has described the differences with photos. I think that was somewhere here in this forum.
Posted by: GeorgeRud Oct 8 2016, 07:40 AM
I have an original Saratoga top for my 911 Targa, and the feel truly is great! I hope that these can be successfully recreated for our 914s, and incorporating a third brake light would be a great idea as it would shine at the perfect height for today's traffic.
The open air feel of the tops make them desirable when the weather isn't the best to have the top off. We took a fall driving tour in the Targa last year and even my wife enjoyed the scenery without the buffeting as these Porsche Club driving tours tend to become rather spirited!
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