S1 Convertible Top (Hood) hoop Removal?
Discussion
Take all the bolts out and it comes off.
Two pivot bolts, there are slots in the carpet so you can reach up behind to hold nuts.
Stays, nuts in boot behind carpet or leave that end attached and just remove from targa hoop.
Now the good bit, think it's five 10mm nuts inside the boot holding the back down, a bit of a fiddle to get at.
If you're lucky they'll come off, but if rusty the bolts may just spin. Cut fabric away( you're replacing it anyway) to access heads.
Have you triedsearching this forum for previous advice, suggestions and photos?
Two pivot bolts, there are slots in the carpet so you can reach up behind to hold nuts.
Stays, nuts in boot behind carpet or leave that end attached and just remove from targa hoop.
Now the good bit, think it's five 10mm nuts inside the boot holding the back down, a bit of a fiddle to get at.
If you're lucky they'll come off, but if rusty the bolts may just spin. Cut fabric away( you're replacing it anyway) to access heads.
Have you triedsearching this forum for previous advice, suggestions and photos?
Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 17th January 04:36
This may help with the location of the bolts. 
My hood has previously been replaced so the bolts weren’t rusted and came out easily.
On the passenger side there is a three pin RIST plug connecting the interior light, but I couldn’t get the pins out so cut it off and will replace on reassembly.
My hood has previously been replaced so the bolts weren’t rusted and came out easily.
On the passenger side there is a three pin RIST plug connecting the interior light, but I couldn’t get the pins out so cut it off and will replace on reassembly.
Thanks for the advice. I'll search for the bolts. Right now I can see only three bolt heads under the fabric, other than the two holding the Targa top bar. There are also two screws inside the parcel area. Looks like I may have to remove the speaker box inside the boot to access the the rest. I did a search of the forums and came up with a lot of Lotus related hits but nothing for an S1 TVR. I guess there's nothing easy on a TVR.
You will need to remove the speaker boxes and pull the carpet down. Then feel around the underside of the body where the rear hoop attaches to the car. There should be five nuts but there's no guarantee the guy in the factory bothered to fit them all. Three is enough to hold the hoop, one on each end and one in the middle.
LoFlyer said:
I did a search of the forums and came up with a lot of Lotus related hits but nothing for an S1 TVR.
Then you're not searching this forum!Google search:
TVR S Series hood hoop removal site:pistonheads.com
Don't worry about it being an S1. The S Series pram hoods are all the same.
Obviously I didn't get the search right. Thanks for your assistance.
V8- I think you're right. There are only three bolts. Consistency in these cars seems to depend on how many pints the factory guys had for lunch.
From the information you've all provided above, I can predict the replacement effort is going to take considerably more time than I thought, as usual. Ah well....
V8- I think you're right. There are only three bolts. Consistency in these cars seems to depend on how many pints the factory guys had for lunch.
From the information you've all provided above, I can predict the replacement effort is going to take considerably more time than I thought, as usual. Ah well....
magpies said:
I fitted wing nuts to the 10mm roofing bolts that hold the horseshoe to the rear.
Did think about this, but the bolts are too close to the bodywork on mine, so I am planning to use 15mm long M6 hex spacers, so should be able to get a spanner on. It is quite important to get some tension - mine previously didn't and this caused the fabric to lift away on the hoop creating a gap between the hood and the body..
My speaker boxes were held on with Velcro! Be careful undoing the the nuts if they are rusty. If you're lucky the studs will snap and you'll be to lift the hoop away from the body. More likey though is that the head of the screw will trun in the fibreglass and it will be right PIA to get off. If you're stripping off the fabric you'll have the option to drill out the screw from the top if necessary.
Consider replacing the TVR screws with THESE which is what TVR should have used in the first place.
Also consider extending the ends of the hoop to cover that hideous gap by the 'B' posts. Extending the hoop here will enable you to trim it to the ends and have a much neater fitting for the Velcro. So much better than gluing it to the bodywork. Like this....
Consider replacing the TVR screws with THESE which is what TVR should have used in the first place.
Also consider extending the ends of the hoop to cover that hideous gap by the 'B' posts. Extending the hoop here will enable you to trim it to the ends and have a much neater fitting for the Velcro. So much better than gluing it to the bodywork. Like this....
I have one large speaker box divided in the center. It was held in place by the eight speaker screws. The installer did a third world job with the electrical connections to the speakers, so they'll have to be replaced. It also appears that I disturbed the one time home of a small furry beast, which required the shop vac for removal. Also, I don't seem to have the three conductor RIST connector. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the hardware advice. Right now I have to find my 13mm wrench. Always an adventure with this car.
RayTVR said:
Connector for the interior light is in the vertical opening behind the passenger door
You'll be surprised at how much empty space there is behind that bit of carpet. The connector could easily be rattling around in there. If you need a new connector they are available on eBay CLICK.Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff