Finally finished the mod I've been dreaming about. - LotusTalk

local600 · 10-02-2009, 10:44 PM

The day I bought my Lotus, I took the top off and got about two blocks from the Beverly Hills dealership before I thought: "Damn, I wish this thing had a mesh top."

For a long time I made sure I had a spare hat behind my seat as well as a bottle of sunscreen. Neither solution was ideal to me, so I returned to my original thought of a mesh top. It would let the airflow and provide shade at the same time. The best of both top on / top off in my opinion. I guess I'm going to have to do it myself. Fine, that's cool. Behold.

It blocks 75% of the light and still allows a nice flow of air. Because it uses the same ribs the soft top uses, it maintains that shape we've all come to know and love. By now you're wondering how much it weighs. Exactly 4 pounds.

I made this myself, by hand and from scratch. It was kind of a pain in the a$$, but so worth it.

I've been testing it out for a few weeks and I haven't found a good reason to take it off. The tension allows it to handle freeway conditions just fine. If you think you might be interested in one of these, let me know because I am trying to gauge interest.

the1sen · 10-02-2009, 11:30 PM

Wowser... that's nifty!

Interest would be an understatement for the situation here in AZ. Any additional images?

If I ever decide to take off my hard top, this would be ideal for many situations out here.

cstetter · 10-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Interested - my wife doesn't like to get tan so it would be a great compromise.

Thomasio · 10-03-2009, 12:48 AM

Looks good... great product!

rob13572468 · 10-03-2009, 01:49 AM

take and post a bunch of pictures of the top so everyone can see it up close. This is one of those cool ideas that nobody really thinks of until they actually see it but it looks like it could be quite popular.

Appleseed · 10-03-2009, 04:06 AM

I love the way it matches the GG. What kind of material? is it really the same color or just the way it looks in the pic?

toedrag · 10-03-2009, 04:13 AM

Awesome idea!! Interested!

Would you include a storage bag?

Moto44 · 10-03-2009, 04:14 AM

Good idea!

...m... · 10-03-2009, 04:56 AM

...hmm, i wonder if i could build a nice cedar pergola over mine, maybe with some lush wisteria...

...no, seriously, very clever!..

fun4two · 10-03-2009, 05:53 AM

Yes what a great idea, I would absolutly buy this from you. I have been fighting the sun since I got the car. Def post more pictures and at some point a price tag on something like this.

MightyMike · 10-03-2009, 07:21 AM

Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Would be cool if you could use color-matching mesh.

RENDERMAN · 10-03-2009, 08:19 AM

I take it it comes with a warning label, " Use under sunny conditions only" we can use something like in Florida, we some of them 3" Mosquitoes out here!! Can you make the side windows out mesh too?

local600 · 10-03-2009, 08:52 AM

Wow, I'm glad you all think it's a good idea. I have some questions to answer.

-There is a storage bag for this and it is factored into the total weight of 4 pounds. haha

-I would estimate a cost between $300 and $400 each.

-The color I used is called Charcoal and goes great with Graphite, but if you ask me, it looks black.

-I could do a custom color to match your car, but it would cost a bit more. The colors available to me are "Charcoal", "Silver Gray", and "Bronze." Bronze would be as close to cedar as you might want to get M.

-The mesh is vinyl coated fiberglass and is super strong.

Here's some more pics:

tvacc · 10-03-2009, 12:57 PM

I was working on the same thing. I got the idea from my MINI S...but your beat me to it....

Let me know if you are not going to sell this as I would pick up the ball....

Seb · 10-03-2009, 02:12 PM

It does look a wee bit rough around the edges.

local600 · 10-03-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

I was working on the same thing. I got the idea from my MINI S...but your beat me to it....

Let me know if you are not going to sell this as I would pick up the ball....

My fiance' forced me to get it trademarked and patented. I like to be done with a project when I finish with it, but she wouldn't let me.

local600 · 10-03-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb

It does look a wee bit rough around the edges.

It's hard to argue with that except to say that most of the edges don't show and as I get better at making them, they will get cleaner and cleaner.

Seb · 10-03-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by local600

It's hard to argue with that except to say that most of the edges don't show and as I get better at making them, they will get cleaner and cleaner.

Haha

Perfect response.

Amer · 10-03-2009, 02:42 PM

What a great mod

Shirp · 10-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Ingenious. I like it. It will go well for the Texas sun.

10-02-2009, 10:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
local600 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Altadena, ca Posts: 206	Finally finished the mod I've been dreaming about. The day I bought my Lotus, I took the top off and got about two blocks from the Beverly Hills dealership before I thought: "Damn, I wish this thing had a mesh top." For a long time I made sure I had a spare hat behind my seat as well as a bottle of sunscreen. Neither solution was ideal to me, so I returned to my original thought of a mesh top. It would let the airflow and provide shade at the same time. The best of both top on / top off in my opinion. I guess I'm going to have to do it myself. Fine, that's cool. Behold. It blocks 75% of the light and still allows a nice flow of air. Because it uses the same ribs the soft top uses, it maintains that shape we've all come to know and love. By now you're wondering how much it weighs. Exactly 4 pounds. I made this myself, by hand and from scratch. It was kind of a pain in the a$$, but so worth it. I've been testing it out for a few weeks and I haven't found a good reason to take it off. The tension allows it to handle freeway conditions just fine. If you think you might be interested in one of these, let me know because I am trying to gauge interest. __________________ It's not where you are going that matters, it's how you get there.

10-02-2009, 11:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
the1sen The Azteks are coming! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In The Ghetto... Ghetto of Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,566	Wowser... that's nifty! Interest would be an understatement for the situation here in AZ. Any additional images? If I ever decide to take off my hard top, this would be ideal for many situations out here. __________________ The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. F The System - ChuforiaGraffix.com SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

10-03-2009, 12:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Thomasio Really Light Stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,855	Looks good... great product! __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel .. To Order .. RLS Product Links ..

10-03-2009, 04:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Appleseed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jesup, GA Posts: 269	I love the way it matches the GG. What kind of material? is it really the same color or just the way it looks in the pic? __________________ 2008 GG Elise (no longer needs black wheels ) 2008 Gray Prius (wifey) 1998 Jag XK8 (traded on Elise) Thank God!

10-03-2009, 04:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
toedrag Crunchy Smurf Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 263 Images: 25	Awesome idea!! Interested! Would you include a storage bag? __________________ 2006 Laser Blue Elise -aka, Blue Lightning 2.0, The Little Blue Car, my automobile soul mate

10-03-2009, 12:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
cstetter Nothing witty to say Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,451	Interested - my wife doesn't like to get tan so it would be a great compromise.

10-03-2009, 01:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
rob13572468 the devil's advocate... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Posts: 926	take and post a bunch of pictures of the top so everyone can see it up close. This is one of those cool ideas that nobody really thinks of until they actually see it but it looks like it could be quite popular.

10-03-2009, 04:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
Moto44 Back in the Saddle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,897	Good idea! __________________ If nobody ever died doing it, how much fun could it be?

10-03-2009, 04:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,724	...hmm, i wonder if i could build a nice cedar pergola over mine, maybe with some lush wisteria... ...no, seriously, very clever!.. __________________ [size=1]2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...75,000 miles and aging beautifully...

10-03-2009, 05:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
fun4two I love the elise Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: ct Posts: 53	Yes what a great idea, I would absolutly buy this from you. I have been fighting the sun since I got the car. Def post more pictures and at some point a price tag on something like this. __________________ Steve 2006 Graphite grey Elise You only get one time around on the ride of life, if your not enjoying what your doing, why do it at all? Enjoy every second like it was your last! Oh yeah and drive it like you stole it!

10-03-2009, 07:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
MightyMike Legend in my own mind Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 860 Images: 9	Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Would be cool if you could use color-matching mesh. __________________ 06 ST Elise, BWR Supercharged with lots of other stuff 01 Birkin S3 Super Sport (Lotus 7 replica) 99 Miata Sport

10-03-2009, 08:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
RENDERMAN Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 305 Posts: 1,047 Images: 6	I take it it comes with a warning label, " Use under sunny conditions only" we can use something like in Florida, we some of them 3" Mosquitoes out here!! Can you make the side windows out mesh too? __________________ WILL.I.AM It's not how fast it can go. It's how your heart beats in a few seconds..... -Tony Baker Adobe Photoshop CS4 Certified Instructor Check out my work, Site under construction... http://www.wilsart.com/

10-03-2009, 08:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
local600 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Altadena, ca Posts: 206	Q & A Wow, I'm glad you all think it's a good idea. I have some questions to answer. -There is a storage bag for this and it is factored into the total weight of 4 pounds. haha -I would estimate a cost between $300 and $400 each. -The color I used is called Charcoal and goes great with Graphite, but if you ask me, it looks black. -I could do a custom color to match your car, but it would cost a bit more. The colors available to me are "Charcoal", "Silver Gray", and "Bronze." Bronze would be as close to cedar as you might want to get M. -The mesh is vinyl coated fiberglass and is super strong. Here's some more pics: __________________ It's not where you are going that matters, it's how you get there.

10-03-2009, 12:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,318	I was working on the same thing. I got the idea from my MINI S...but your beat me to it.... Let me know if you are not going to sell this as I would pick up the ball.... __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances, 93 Caterham 7, 71 Elan, 99 Miata Anniversary Edition

10-03-2009, 02:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 888	It does look a wee bit rough around the edges.

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10-03-2009, 02:42 PM	#19 (permalink)
Amer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 48	What a great mod __________________ Bakersfield Kern Car Truck Vehicle Classifieds Ads

10-03-2009, 03:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
Shirp On the cusp! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The Woodlands/College Station, Tx Posts: 107	Ingenious. I like it. It will go well for the Texas sun. __________________ My Prelude rebuild. http://www.preludepower.com/forums/s...d.php?t=256458