I would lean towards option 2.) also. I don't think the stock removable top will work due to its curvature unless a curved filler is put in between the ligfted top and the door glass top edge. Even then the roof line will have an ugly 'bump' in it if the stock top is reused.
I think Felix had great difficulty with this same issue of getting custom door glass on the neo914 project. He eliminated the triangle glass, but getting custom door glass was very expensive. I don't think he ever solved it last I heard. Flattening out the top to stretch it the full length of the limo would be as straightforward as possible, but still a lot of work. I hope there is a talented metalworker available. Maybe Marks partner?
Building the edges of the steel top to match the top edge of the stock door glass curvature would be the easiest approach, although still a challenge. With a solid steel top fixed sunroofs could be put in both front and rear - simple plexiglass panels using that rubber marine gasketing 'zip strip' just like the aftermarket moon roofs use. Not sure how to make a removable top panel, but this car screams for it.
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 11 2010, 12:23 PM)
QUOTE(Jeff Bowlsby @ Jan 11 2010, 12:14 PM)
So Andy,
Can you share any details of how this might look? Especially interested in how the roof line will work as the stock roof line/window top edge slopes down towards the rear of the car.
Congrats to you and the Limo team on a cool project!
Got an exterior paint color selected?
Jeff,
we're still debating the roof.
In order to create a smooth line, we need to raise the back of the front targa top and there are several possibilities.
1| We can keep the removable targa top and shim the seals to match the top of the window. This *might* look OK if we keep the targa bar side panels black.
2| Get rid of the front targa top and add a solid steel roof that can be shaped to match the door glass.
3| Leave the top shape and blend in the rear of the top with the roof strip that needs to be added between the two tops. This could be as easy as adding side skirts that 'fake' a smooth roof line ...
4| Get custom door glass.
Andy
PS: I'm leaning towards 2. A solid roof in the front (Maybe a sun/moon roof?) would also help adding strength to the tub.