Zeintop installed

[Mrmaddbrad]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

That is correct sir.

Dang it.... They're so cool.... I'm not a fan of hardtops unless they're more than just the simple bubble top (like all of them... lol). Any other companies make custom hard tops?

EDIT:

I FOUND IT!!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125837874105163#!/group.php?gid=125837874105163&v=info
Thats their facebook page, as i dont believe they have a real website. Company is Z-Art Automotive and they make custom porsche hardtops, side vents, body kits, etc. BUT! They have the same hardtop that zeintec offered and I was told they are actually the same company, just relocated from South Africa, to Canada!

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Dang it.... They're so cool.... I'm not a fan of hardtops unless they're more than just the simple bubble top (like all of them... lol). Any other companies make custom hard tops?

EDIT:

I FOUND IT!!!
Z-Art automotive | Facebook
Thats their facebook page, as i dont believe they have a real website. Company is Z-Art Automotive and they make custom porsche hardtops, side vents, body kits, etc. BUT! They have the same hardtop that zeintec offered and I was told they are actually the same company, just relocated from South Africa, to Canada!

Any company manufacturing has a web site or easy to find contact information. That is rule one in 2012 global marketing. I haven't seen any evidence of these tops being made for 2 years or maybe more. They are extremely good looking tops but the reality is that people buy Boxsters because they are convertibles. Therefore, few of us use hardtops of any kind and there is a cheaper alternative (albeit not as attractive) so the market is extremely small causing the price for something like this to remain at almost one-off pricing. Even finding a used one is very difficult. If I was going to put a lid on my Boxster, that would be the one.

[Mrmaddbrad]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

Any company manufacturing has a web site. That is rule one in 2012 global marketing. I haven't seen any evidence of these tops being made for 2 years or maybe more. They are extremely good looking tops but the reality is that people buy Boxsters because they are convertibles, there is a cheaper alternative (albeit not as attractive) so the market is extremely small causing the price for something like this to remain at almost one-off pricing. Even finding a used one is very difficult. If I was going to put a lid on my Boxster, that would be the one.

Oh really? You think they're out of business too? Hmmm... Alright. I emailed them anyways looking for a price :P

They are great looking though.

[cbbepop]

The original Zeintech co. (based out of south africa) went out of business a couple years ago (3?) amidst some scandal -the scandal being they became bankrupt and they took orders from customers and payment in full from some customers then they split and never delivered the product.
This was unfortunate because they did at one time managed to churn out at least a couple dozen of these tops. There were some quality issue but all and all they were very good in terms of customer service, the only hard part being getting the tops through customs (import fee/customs agent and all).
The founder of the facebook page z-art Im told was the original creator of the zeintops and he said he had no part in the downfall of the Zeintech company or their questionable dealings towards the end. He implies he has the molds for the tops in his custody so he can start up making them again as soon as enough orders are placed. He says about 20 orders and payment must be made before he will start producing one (I guess because it takes labor/materials etc) feel free to contact him for clarifications. I'm interested in his bumpers that convert the 986 front to a 987 front cause I like the 987II headlights

The tops I been told is still near $2000 or so unpainted and minus shipping fee.

[Mrmaddbrad]

Originally Posted by cbbepop

The tops I been told is still near $2000 or so unpainted and minus shipping fee.

Damn! If i can get one for $2000! Wow! Used stock hardtops here cost almost that. And I'm willing to lose the small amount of comfort for extra appeal :P Go cayman tops!

I did email him but have not received a conformation yet

[Jaxonalden]

I just e-mailed the guy and told him there's a huge market for his product with the introduction and popularity of the Cayman. A simple transformation and you can basically own a new car.

I asked him to post on this forum a question weather we would be interested...I'd like to see the response.

[landrovered]

I am extremely wary of Z-art, he has a lot of pissed off Europeans flaming him. Lots of promises and no follow through.

[Z-art]

Nice to hear ur opinion about me.....people like you make a lot of blahblah ....but if you ask them for binding agreement to order they dont even response anymore. I make a poll couple of month ago in facebook ...... 4 only wanna order. I do not asking for any down payment like Zeintec do before i just need 20 or more binding orders because tooling and hardware cost a lot of money and I just wanna be sure that i get at least that $$$ back. I was looking over month to find some one like a sonsor or partner who is willing to set up a company in the states with me I have all the know how to do. But lots of promises only. thats the fact...believe or not.

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by Z-art

Nice to hear ur opinion about me.....people like you make a lot of blahblah ....but if you ask them for binding agreement to order they dont even response anymore. I make a poll couple of month ago in facebook ...... 4 only wanna order. I do not asking for any down payment like Zeintec do before i just need 20 or more binding orders because tooling and hardware cost a lot of money and I just wanna be sure that i get at least that $$$ back. I was looking over month to find some one like a sonsor or partner who is willing to set up a company in the states with me I have all the know how to do. But lots of promises only. thats the fact...believe or not.

Real businesses don't solicit for venture capitalists on Facebook. They go to a bank or financial backer with a business plan and get the money. Then you start making tops for sale. When you become a legitimate business let me know and maybe I'll buy one from you. Until then your history doesn't warrant serious consideration. You know, put up or ......

[Mrmaddbrad]

Originally Posted by Z-art

Nice to hear ur opinion about me.....people like you make a lot of blahblah ....but if you ask them for binding agreement to order they dont even response anymore. I make a poll couple of month ago in facebook ...... 4 only wanna order. I do not asking for any down payment like Zeintec do before i just need 20 or more binding orders because tooling and hardware cost a lot of money and I just wanna be sure that i get at least that $$$ back. I was looking over month to find some one like a sonsor or partner who is willing to set up a company in the states with me I have all the know how to do. But lots of promises only. thats the fact...believe or not.

Definatly agree with the idea of going to a bank and getting a loan to start this business man!

But if its money up front that you need, why don't you just ask for cost of materials up front, put in an order. Make that one top, send it after they pay the rest in full.

Just saying... Any idea on a cost? Do they look like the top on the black boxster (err... cayman boxster? lol) on your facebook page?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Definatly agree with the idea of going to a bank and getting a loan to start this business man!

But if its money up front that you need, why don't you just ask for cost of materials up front, put in an order. Make that one top, send it after they pay the rest in full.

Banks won't loan you a dime unless you already have your business up and running and can show them a strong financial history of sales/profits. OR if you're willing to put up personal collateral, like the equity in your house, against the loan. What Z-art really needs is an angel investor/partner.

And the problem with asking for material costs up front is that its very hard (if not impossible) to buy only the material needed to produce one unit and even if you could, it would be too expensive.

To get a decent price on raw materials, a manufacturer has to buy in some level of bulk and it appears that z-art has determined that means a minimum quantity of 20 units before he can start up production.

I recently purchased the design of an electronic controller and had to fund the manufacture and assy of 50 circuit boards out of my own pocket in order to meet the cost/profit/price target. Any fewer and I either had to raise the price (and lose sales) or not make any profit (because of higher material costs).

[Mrmaddbrad]

Haha yes I knew this... But I meant instead of asking for people to pay for their top beforehand. Just ask for material costs. After 20 or so people sign up and have payed, begin production. Sounds easy enough..

They are great looking tops. Still looking for the idea of a price on what these tops costs lol

[Z-art]

Hi there ...the top will look like on the black Boxster, just like to tell I am the Inventor of that top

[Z-art]

I do not asking for any down payment ...sorry for my poor english ....i just was asking for binding orders. Payments will be later by PayPal.... u will not even loose a single cent if we are not deliver. What more problem

[Splitpin]

What would the cost be to the UK

[Mrmaddbrad]

Originally Posted by Z-art

I do not asking for any down payment ...sorry for my poor english ....i just was asking for binding orders. Payments will be later by PayPal.... u will not even loose a single cent if we are not deliver. What more problem

Sounds good to me! Yes, prices would be very nice

[Russ22]

Originally Posted by Z-art

Hi there ...the top will look like on the black Boxster, just like to tell I am the Inventor of that top

Can you please make contact - I can assist in many ways, not only in production, but premises & all aspects to get the top back to market & production - please reply to hopefully enable telephone contact - kind regards - Russ

[Splitpin]

Is there any news on these being made?

[Mr_Brightside]

There is a member of Boxa.net in the Uk that is selling his Zeintop on ebay.

Zeintop for 986 Boxster | eBay

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Z-art

I do not asking for any down payment ...sorry for my poor english ....i just was asking for binding orders. Payments will be later by PayPal.... u will not even loose a single cent if we are not deliver. What more problem

Three questions:
1) do you have any of these tops ready now?
2) can you paint them to match the car ?
3) can I just drive up there and we can put it on while I'm there and pay cash? Paypal fees on $2000+ would be somewhere around $50+, and gas @$4/gal +hotel would cost roughly $700 round-trip from Saint Louis to St Paul, probably cheaper than shipping it, and then I get to see it and pay cash and save you $$$

I'd wait until the summer though, weather's still too crazy, and I might be buying another house this year so it might not happen at all but I'm still wondering.

Large FAQ here:
Zeintop Hardtop F A Q | Design911 Porsche Parts, Spares & Accessories Specialist Blog & Porsche Advice