New Boxster Hard Top Prototype

[Eric523]

Originally Posted by BrakeExpert

Looks awesome, it makes it look like a different car. Reminds me of the "Mugen" top for the Honda S2000. They have a carbon fiber top that extends to the back of the car for aero, and if I recall, it was nearly 7 grand for a solid carbon piece.

And are those 997 turbo brakes?

Thanks!

The brakes fit a few models and a 997 Turbo with PCCB is one of them, except the paint on these is red instead of yellow for the street cars with ceramics. The unique bolt spacing on these makes them a little rare but they fit with my 996 GT3R front uprights.

[flaps10]

Wow, I actually love this thing.

I do have experience in composite tooling and fabrication, and there has been some good discussion. I actually liked the poster who put up the low numbers because it brought forth some more correct assumptions.

The tooling at that low dollar amount would be crude and not very durable. If you're going full boat you want to make a tool heavy and with excellent surface finish. Also, $300 worth of fiberglass would be just this side of chopper gun work - polyester resin, cheap gelcoat, heavy layup. Would look fine from 15' and may work okay for racing car fit and finish. But then you'd have to deal with whiny P car aficionados that expected mirror finish and no gaps.

The concept of loaning out tools reminds me of back "in the day" when that was how fiberglass kayaks were made. The problem is the owner of the tool depends on people using proper release methods, not hammering the crap out of the edges trying to pop their part loose, etc.

If you're really going to be able to produce a carbon fiber prepreg part with even half way reasonable finish, no headliner, etc for under $2k then my hat is off. It looks sexy! I'm going to be watching for these to be available to mere mortals. I'd drive to CA just to pick it up.

[captzoom]

Interested in your top shell for our project vehicle. I understand the need for CF rigidity in some applications, but ours is a bit different so could work with knitted glass fiber and wet layup (if properly spec'd). Do you have any interest in producing and selling us a shell only in polyester or epoxy? Would like to discuss this with you.

[Eric523]

Originally Posted by captzoom

Interested in your top shell for our project vehicle. I understand the need for CF rigidity in some applications, but ours is a bit different so could work with knitted glass fiber and wet layup (if properly spec'd). Do you have any interest in producing and selling us a shell only in polyester or epoxy? Would like to discuss this with you.

The current delay has been available time and also rigidity of the carbon construction. Because of the shape, light weight, thin B pillars, and thin overall construction, we're working on increasing the rigidity so even the carbon version is suitable. I don't expect to be able to produce a top that works out of glass fiber. I think the pricing will be such that the carbon works out OK.

Since I blew up my 3.6L engine, I've invested too much $$ into developing a dry sump oiling system and a high compression 4.0L and 3.8L engines. Which of course had eaten up the hardtop resources. Now that most of those parts have been machined, we can get back onto the roof. Car has been down for over a year for these projects and its about time to go race again...

[captzoom]

Thx for the quick reply. The thin B pillars don't worry me since we'd be filling in the side windows behind the B pillars with air inlet scoops and would have plenty of opportunities to reinforce and support the top at several locations from the roll cage structure so am not too concerned about panel rigidity. Also don't need a rear window or side window "glass". What I'm trying to do is avoid having to make a plug and a mold for a one-off top for my project vehicle by adapting what you've done with yours. In fact, if you are cutting the window openings after pulling the part from the mold you wouldn't even need to do that for us.

Are you planning to do wet layup or prepreg/autoclave fabrication?

We have a long way to go with this project, so not in a big hurry. Would appreciate your keeping me advised of your progress.

[Wellcoached]

Originally Posted by Eric523

The current delay has been available time and also rigidity of the carbon construction. Because of the shape, light weight, thin B pillars, and thin overall construction, we're working on increasing the rigidity so even the carbon version is suitable. I don't expect to be able to produce a top that works out of glass fiber. I think the pricing will be such that the carbon works out OK.

Since I blew up my 3.6L engine, I've invested too much $$ into developing a dry sump oiling system and a high compression 4.0L and 3.8L engines. Which of course had eaten up the hardtop resources. Now that most of those parts have been machined, we can get back onto the roof. Car has been down for over a year for these projects and its about time to go race again...

Please contact if & when these become available .Thanks