Rear Roof Panel strut supports
Discussion
Hi, has anyone had any experience with the following -
I recently acquired a fantastic V8S a few months back. Was very happy with its vgc condition, only requiring a good detailing work. Until a local chap contacted me and suggested we meet up, as he owned a V8S too.
So, not only had i bought one of my dream cars i now had a potential new mate whom shared the same 'beast'.
Anyhow, we met up. His V8S being immaculate, but i still felt i had bought a great car and felt a little smug that mine was totally original, whereas his had a couple non standard parts fitted eg wheels.
HOWEVER, and now we get down to the reason for this thread, he pointed out to me that my Rear Roof Panel support struts were the wrong ones!!!!!!!!!!! He having owned an S3 before, told me that my V8S had been fitted with the steel braces that were fitted as standard to the S1-3 models. Having great enjoyment in showing me his beautiful alloy struts that his are fitted with, and every other V8S as standard!!!
So, the hunt was on for a pair of alloy struts off a chimera/griffith. Having survived months of being reminded by my new friend of this 'inadequacy' on my V8S, i finally found a pair and bought them!!!!!!
NOW, we finally get to the point, the two types of struts have different fittings to the rear bulk head and to the top of the Rear roof panel. Has anyone had experience fitting alloy struts where once metal ones were fitted?????
Oh, and my new mate, even tho he constantly reminds me of this issue, we have become the best of friends, united over our 'beasts' V8S's!!
I recently acquired a fantastic V8S a few months back. Was very happy with its vgc condition, only requiring a good detailing work. Until a local chap contacted me and suggested we meet up, as he owned a V8S too.
So, not only had i bought one of my dream cars i now had a potential new mate whom shared the same 'beast'.
Anyhow, we met up. His V8S being immaculate, but i still felt i had bought a great car and felt a little smug that mine was totally original, whereas his had a couple non standard parts fitted eg wheels.
HOWEVER, and now we get down to the reason for this thread, he pointed out to me that my Rear Roof Panel support struts were the wrong ones!!!!!!!!!!! He having owned an S3 before, told me that my V8S had been fitted with the steel braces that were fitted as standard to the S1-3 models. Having great enjoyment in showing me his beautiful alloy struts that his are fitted with, and every other V8S as standard!!!
So, the hunt was on for a pair of alloy struts off a chimera/griffith. Having survived months of being reminded by my new friend of this 'inadequacy' on my V8S, i finally found a pair and bought them!!!!!!
NOW, we finally get to the point, the two types of struts have different fittings to the rear bulk head and to the top of the Rear roof panel. Has anyone had experience fitting alloy struts where once metal ones were fitted?????
Oh, and my new mate, even tho he constantly reminds me of this issue, we have become the best of friends, united over our 'beasts' V8S's!!
No doubt some other V8S owners will be along to confirm (or not) that alloy stays are standard? are your cars same age, could yours be earlier production before alloy were developed?
Does seem a little strange a previous owner should remove and replace with the steel ones, maybe he was skint and needed to raise a few bob??
The Chimaera ones are known to be slightly longer, when I fitted a pair to my S3 I found that filing the mounting holes into slots was enough to "loose" a few millimetres. nothing left visible, bolt head and washer hide it.
Alternative way is to re-drill rear cabin bulkhead.
The steel struts were standard on the V8S so, as per Phillpot above, if your mate values "originality" I'm sure someone will be delighted to swap their clapped out steel ones for his non-standard items. 
Well done on finding a pair of Chim ones and if you're very lucky, and you fit them on a hot day, you won't need to drill any new holes. Consider fitting some seat belt pads over the struts to protect the rear window when the roof is down. OK you so you won’t get the bling but neither will you get the plastic window scratched up. Also, be VERY careful where you put the palm of your hand when you push them out.
Well done on finding a pair of Chim ones and if you're very lucky, and you fit them on a hot day, you won't need to drill any new holes. Consider fitting some seat belt pads over the struts to protect the rear window when the roof is down. OK you so you won’t get the bling but neither will you get the plastic window scratched up. Also, be VERY careful where you put the palm of your hand when you push them out.thanks all for your replies.
so the consensus is that the steel struts were standard fit, upto and including chim/griffs were being built, and that maybe alloy ones maybe of being fitted to some V8S from then on, if they were in stock, or maybe they were all steel ones fitted.
well, im a big believer in keeping classics standard, apart from when technological upgrades make sense to fit. But seen as these Alloy struts do look so very much better than the steel ones, and i payed quite alot of miney for them, i will definitely be fitting them. That is, after i have buffed and polished them up to the point that my new mate gets blinded by them when i pass him!!lol.
With regards to fitting seat belt pads, well am not donna cover up these lovely alloy struts, but the point is valid about protecting the rear clear screen from scratching, so i lay a rolled up towel in between when i close the rear screen section to protect it.
so the consensus is that the steel struts were standard fit, upto and including chim/griffs were being built, and that maybe alloy ones maybe of being fitted to some V8S from then on, if they were in stock, or maybe they were all steel ones fitted.
well, im a big believer in keeping classics standard, apart from when technological upgrades make sense to fit. But seen as these Alloy struts do look so very much better than the steel ones, and i payed quite alot of miney for them, i will definitely be fitting them. That is, after i have buffed and polished them up to the point that my new mate gets blinded by them when i pass him!!lol.
With regards to fitting seat belt pads, well am not donna cover up these lovely alloy struts, but the point is valid about protecting the rear clear screen from scratching, so i lay a rolled up towel in between when i close the rear screen section to protect it.
When I bought my alloy stays they were a bit scratched and "second hand" looking so I polished 'em up. Took a bit of doing because originally they were laquered. Without this laquer I found they left black marks on the window when the hood was down, your rolled up towel will not prevent this, it's the wrong side of the window!
v8s4me said:
Has anyone ever looked into having a “proper” fold down roof made for our cars?
Why ?huge expense and what gain ? Imagine it would be a "huge lump" when folded down.
If boot space is a problem there was someone making (or planning to make) a folding section to replace the hard roof panels.
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