914 Soft Top, Any know where to get a soft top? Options

[retrofive]

I really would like to add a soft top to my 914, however can't seem to find one anywhere. I dont really care if I have to construct it myself or not. A friend of mine has a 05 Lotus Elise, the soft top for it is really simple in design (3 fiber glass rods and "pop" into place supporting the canvas) . I dont see why something like that for the 914 would be too difficult.

[neo914-6]

QUOTE (lotus_65 @ Sep 1 2005, 06:29 AM)

QUOTE (STL914 @ Aug 31 2005, 08:42 PM) My idea was a retractable soft top much like the spring loaded, roll up covers found on many SUVs to hide packages in the rear compartment. The housing for the soft top would mount to the top of the targa bar using the same factory latches with a couple of brackets under the rear of the targa. The front of the soft top would pull out from the housing and attach to the windshield frame, again using factory latches. That was seven years ago, and this idea of mine had been forgotten until recently due to this thread. Back to the drawing board!! i am soooo with you! i have detailed drawings on my cad system at work. i personally do not think there's room under the targa inside for the canvas roll. it also doesn't allow for the added material needed to flap over the windows. my thought was to mount the roll to the ski rack mounts and wrap around the targa. it would be a simple mount there, the complex part would be to engineer the framework inside. you should see my design. (btw, i've applied for a patent) i want a peice of this action, guys. let's get it done. good vibes~ paul p.s.~maf914~ man that sucks about the sunbeam, but vandalism is just gonna happen sometimes. i'm not excusing it or anything like that, but we get keyed, door-dinged, tire-slashed etc. all the time. just the ignorance and lack of common decency of our society. nothing pisses me off more... ...but it won't stop me from getting the full enjoyment out of my life and property. 'sides, these rolls can be had cheap, and it would be a snap-and-go, presto-change-o operation with my setup. stay tuned.

Do you know what a patent costs? Last time we did one it was at min. $10k. Considering a very limited market, are you sure your design will pay off?

I suggest you examime the simplicity of the Elise design.