Hard Top Option...

snakebite · 05-21-2018, 08:56 AM

Gene, it's true that I do not have the answers.
I doubt anybody does. It's a prototype in development.

I guess I just have some faith that the manufacturer knows they will have wasted their time and resources if they create a product that doesn't function. (won't actually latch to the car sufficiently)

Surely they know what is required?
Isn't this what they do?

I too have to "wonder", since there's no answers yet. I was just messing with you. Couldn't resist.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

gbhrps · 05-21-2018, 07:38 PM

Snakebite,

I appreciate your response, and I have to admit that I came back too harshly as well. (Why is it we all look back at how we could have approached things differently without ruffling someone else's feathers?) Part of being human. We don't come with a handbook.

As to the topic at hand ... the hard top designers are not new to this game, as they have made these kinds of tops for other convertibles, and the same fastening issues will have come up many times. They will have the answers.

I just wish I knew at this time what they are. I don't have an issue with my Z's top at this time, but as we all know ... that day may well come when the car is off warranty.

I will have this 2016 for many years (my 1990 300ZX, owned for 27 years with only 49 000 miles, was sold, along with my 55 Thunderbird and a 1954 MG TF Roadster) (downsizing the fleet) for this 370Z, and at 69 years of age, this may well be my last sports car. I have a special nephew who I want to pass it on to when I can no longer take care of it. And I want it to be as trouble free as I can make it when that time comes. He's drooling as I write.

If that means a hard top gets added, to get around any future soft top issues that may well break the bank, or not even be available due to the age of the car and parts availability, then I'm on board for this hard top.

But I've got to be convinced that it is a viable solution. As I mentioned in my last post, my 450 SL and the 55 Thunderbird had factory hardtops that were designed for those cars at concept and were fastened well to those cars. This hard top for the 370Z ... not so much, ... at this point. So, I think we need some answers, when they are available and properly developed.

I look forward to the manufacturer's followups.

Gene

blueranger · 05-27-2018, 12:47 AM

Hello,

Just want to say this Hard Top is close to completion.

I have worked on the manufacturer for over a year. Going from them not being interested, to convincing them of a serious demand due to Nissan's inability to repair a broken top. I personally have always been interested in a hard top for my roadster for looks alone. When my top broke out of warranty and Nissan only offered a full replacement for $13,000.00 I decided to do something.

I asked the manufacturer straight up how many interested owners will it take for them to develop and they asked for 15 (got many more). It took me months to gather enough interested owners and show the manufacturer so they could start the process.

So of course as of right now I do not have every single answer as it is not 100% complete. I know completion is near and will have more details soon.

I can honestly say all of my efforts this past year were in the end worth it, and hopefully will offer an option for many in our roadster community.

Hope to have more pics soon!

snakebite · 05-27-2018, 01:53 PM

And I THANK you sir for your tenacity.

I mean that. Very appreciative.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

blueranger · 06-13-2018, 12:03 AM

Pictures and pricing are coming....

bunk · 06-13-2018, 10:36 AM

Is it too late to add me to the list?

blueranger · 06-13-2018, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunk

Is it too late to add me to the list?

Not at all... This will be a first come first made basis.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

anon1ski · 07-12-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueranger

Pictures and pricing are coming....

Has there been an idea on even on pricing so far?

blueranger · 07-12-2018, 09:31 PM

This is pricing the manufacturer shared with me:

$2399.00 Top (Primed & Ready for Paint) with standard felt interior.
Shipping cost: Residential $375.00 & Commercial $275.00

I have been at a standstill waiting on final fitment feedback.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bunk · 07-13-2018, 09:32 AM

Blueranger, not sure if this has been asked already, but if so please bare with me. From the pics, I assume the top is one solid piece. Will there be an option for it to fold manually or mechanically into the soft top storage on the Z? I kinda like the idea of being able to have top up or down on a whim!

blueranger · 07-14-2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunk

Blueranger, not sure if this has been asked already, but if so please bare with me. From the pics, I assume the top is one solid piece. Will there be an option for it to fold manually or mechanically into the soft top storage on the Z? I kinda like the idea of being able to have top up or down on a whim!

The top is a solid single piece that can be placed or removed similar to the existing hard tops for the S2000 and Miata roadsters.

HollaZed · 07-19-2018, 02:59 AM

wow. I like the outcome so far. I'm interested now.

blueranger · 08-19-2018, 12:14 PM

Sorry about the absence of updates but I have not had any recent communication with the top manufacturer as of yet. I asked them if I could purchase the first production top so I can provide firsthand feedback on fitment and finish to the group. I am hoping to hear from them and will update the group.

anon1ski · 10-01-2018, 12:08 PM

At the $2399 price point, what is the material it is made out of? If it isn't CF is there a possible option for it now that they have the shape down?

blueranger · 10-01-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anon1ski

At the $2399 price point, what is the material it is made out of? If it isn't CF is there a possible option for it now that they have the shape down?

This is the info from their website:

The shell is a premium grade automotive fiberglass composite which is very strong, but light weight, easy to handle, only 30 to 50 lbs.

05-21-2018, 08:56 AM	#166 (permalink)
snakebite Base Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 38 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 293	Gene, it's true that I do not have the answers. I doubt anybody does. It's a prototype in development. I guess I just have some faith that the manufacturer knows they will have wasted their time and resources if they create a product that doesn't function. (won't actually latch to the car sufficiently) Surely they know what is required? Isn't this what they do? I too have to "wonder", since there's no answers yet. I was just messing with you. Couldn't resist. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk blueranger likes this.

05-21-2018, 07:38 PM	#167 (permalink)
gbhrps Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 213 Drives: 2016 RDSTR TS 6spd Rep Power: 7996	Snakebite, I appreciate your response, and I have to admit that I came back too harshly as well. (Why is it we all look back at how we could have approached things differently without ruffling someone else's feathers?) Part of being human. We don't come with a handbook. As to the topic at hand ... the hard top designers are not new to this game, as they have made these kinds of tops for other convertibles, and the same fastening issues will have come up many times. They will have the answers. I just wish I knew at this time what they are. I don't have an issue with my Z's top at this time, but as we all know ... that day may well come when the car is off warranty. I will have this 2016 for many years (my 1990 300ZX, owned for 27 years with only 49 000 miles, was sold, along with my 55 Thunderbird and a 1954 MG TF Roadster) (downsizing the fleet) for this 370Z, and at 69 years of age, this may well be my last sports car. I have a special nephew who I want to pass it on to when I can no longer take care of it. And I want it to be as trouble free as I can make it when that time comes. He's drooling as I write. If that means a hard top gets added, to get around any future soft top issues that may well break the bank, or not even be available due to the age of the car and parts availability, then I'm on board for this hard top. But I've got to be convinced that it is a viable solution. As I mentioned in my last post, my 450 SL and the 55 Thunderbird had factory hardtops that were designed for those cars at concept and were fastened well to those cars. This hard top for the 370Z ... not so much, ... at this point. So, I think we need some answers, when they are available and properly developed. I look forward to the manufacturer's followups. Gene cubsfan51 likes this.

05-27-2018, 12:47 AM	#168 (permalink)
blueranger Track Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 577 Drives: 2010 Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 307	Hello, Just want to say this Hard Top is close to completion. I have worked on the manufacturer for over a year. Going from them not being interested, to convincing them of a serious demand due to Nissan's inability to repair a broken top. I personally have always been interested in a hard top for my roadster for looks alone. When my top broke out of warranty and Nissan only offered a full replacement for $13,000.00 I decided to do something. I asked the manufacturer straight up how many interested owners will it take for them to develop and they asked for 15 (got many more). It took me months to gather enough interested owners and show the manufacturer so they could start the process. So of course as of right now I do not have every single answer as it is not 100% complete. I know completion is near and will have more details soon. I can honestly say all of my efforts this past year were in the end worth it, and hopefully will offer an option for many in our roadster community. Hope to have more pics soon! gr8-wrx, Hotrodz, Jayhovah and 3 others like this. __________________ F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 \| E85 FlexFuel \| Built 7AT \| F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler \| F.I. Flex Plate \| F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler \| MT ET Street S/S \| ECUTEK Tuned by Seb \| RPM Roll Bar

05-27-2018, 01:53 PM	#169 (permalink)
snakebite Base Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 38 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 293	And I THANK you sir for your tenacity. I mean that. Very appreciative. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk blueranger likes this.

06-13-2018, 12:03 AM	#170 (permalink)
blueranger Track Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 577 Drives: 2010 Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 307	Pictures and pricing are coming.... Zbrah and sx moneypit like this. __________________ F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 \| E85 FlexFuel \| Built 7AT \| F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler \| F.I. Flex Plate \| F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler \| MT ET Street S/S \| ECUTEK Tuned by Seb \| RPM Roll Bar

06-13-2018, 10:36 AM	#171 (permalink)
bunk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,077 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 2684369	Is it too late to add me to the list? blueranger likes this.

07-12-2018, 09:31 PM	#174 (permalink)
blueranger Track Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 577 Drives: 2010 Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 307	This is pricing the manufacturer shared with me: $2399.00 Top (Primed & Ready for Paint) with standard felt interior. Shipping cost: Residential $375.00 & Commercial $275.00 I have been at a standstill waiting on final fitment feedback. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk gr8-wrx likes this. __________________ F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 \| E85 FlexFuel \| Built 7AT \| F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler \| F.I. Flex Plate \| F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler \| MT ET Street S/S \| ECUTEK Tuned by Seb \| RPM Roll Bar

07-13-2018, 09:32 AM	#175 (permalink)
bunk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,077 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 2684369	Blueranger, not sure if this has been asked already, but if so please bare with me. From the pics, I assume the top is one solid piece. Will there be an option for it to fold manually or mechanically into the soft top storage on the Z? I kinda like the idea of being able to have top up or down on a whim! __________________ -Drop in K&N Filter -Invidia Gemini CBE -Z1 Oil Cooler -Swift Springs - EcuTek -Forgestar F14 -SPL Camber Links -Akebono BBK Upgrade -Z1 Premium SS Lines -SPL Diff Bushings -SPL FUCAs - BellRaceworks Diff Brace

07-19-2018, 02:59 AM	#177 (permalink)
HollaZed Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Springdale, AR Posts: 1 Drives: 370z roadster Rep Power: 8	wow. I like the outcome so far. I'm interested now. blueranger likes this.

08-19-2018, 12:14 PM	#178 (permalink)
blueranger Track Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 577 Drives: 2010 Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 307	Sorry about the absence of updates but I have not had any recent communication with the top manufacturer as of yet. I asked them if I could purchase the first production top so I can provide firsthand feedback on fitment and finish to the group. I am hoping to hear from them and will update the group. gr8-wrx and HollaZed like this. __________________ F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 \| E85 FlexFuel \| Built 7AT \| F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler \| F.I. Flex Plate \| F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler \| MT ET Street S/S \| ECUTEK Tuned by Seb \| RPM Roll Bar

10-01-2018, 12:08 PM	#179 (permalink)
anon1ski Base Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: PA Posts: 18 Drives: 2011 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 7	At the $2399 price point, what is the material it is made out of? If it isn't CF is there a possible option for it now that they have the shape down?

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