One for Clive at Zertec?

One for Clive at Zertec?

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Original Poster:

11,104 posts

283 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all

Clive, Just thinking at the weekend about the clear screen on the Chimaera roof. Now I do like a bit of spirited roof off motoring in the winter, but often don't get the roof right down as when it's really cold the rear screen gets really stiff(!). Mine is in perfect condition except for a small crease directly in line with the ally strut, often I go taga to avoid anymore creasing/tears.
I was wondering if there was a design for the plastic to fold neatly thus avoiding the aforemention fears. I realise this would mean the screen would have perhaps visible fold lines but I wouldn't mind that if it meant the rest of the screen was unmarked.
Have you ever thought of it or is there someone out there that already does it?
Or is it just a really sh1te idea?

JonRB

76,117 posts

279 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
Talking of targa-style motoring, I wouldn't mind a replacement roof panel in clear plastic - for that "roof-off targa-style motoring experience without the cold and the wet". The standard panel is so dark and claustrophobic.

I know, I know, call me a wuss.

Marshy

2,749 posts

291 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
Jon,

Top idea. I want one. Now.

Graham

16,369 posts

291 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
now that clear targa panel sounds fun

ATG

21,369 posts

279 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
I've never tried driving "targa" style. I wasn't confident that the back wouldn't be like a parachute. Does it work okay? Is it noisey or windy? Does it cause lots of drag? Or is it a glorious, new-labour styley "third way" of motoring??

JonRB

76,117 posts

279 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
Works for me. Targa is marginally warmer and far less windy and noisy than full roof-down IMHO.

Obviously if you're a full roof & windows down bugs-in-teeth enthusiast then a clear roof panel will be of no interest!

.mark

Original Poster:

11,104 posts

283 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
Jon, must disagree! I find with the targa up I get more wind buffetting, perhaps it has something do do with driver/passenger height, but I was surprised to say the least. Th eother thing I found extraordinary was how little disturbance there was with roof full down and windows down, I expected to get my hear ripped off but it was ok (although not tried at high speed). All in all I think the roof works fantastically however you have it, it's just the creases in the screen that let it down.

Don

28,377 posts

291 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

I've never tried driving "targa" style. I wasn't confident that the back wouldn't be like a parachute. Does it work okay? Is it noisey or windy? Does it cause lots of drag? Or is it a glorious, new-labour styley "third way" of motoring??



We do the Targa thing regularly. It is a LOT less windy and cold when the weather is clear but cold as on a nice winter day.

Can't agree about the noise though...on our Chim it seems to create quite a din...but who cares...

JonRB

76,117 posts

279 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
Its funny you should say that. As a lad I used to go out with my Dad in his 400SE and it was certainly far noisier and more windy in targa mode than full down.

However, in my 97R Chimaera, with me being 5'8" and my partner about 5'5", we find that the noise level is certainly no worse in targa than hood-down, and there is certainly less wind & buffetting.

As you say, its probably a height thing.

Regards
Short-arse Jon

zertec

499 posts

290 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

Its funny you should say that. As a lad I used to go out with my Dad in his 400SE and it was certainly far noisier and more windy in targa mode than full down.

However, in my 97R Chimaera, with me being 5'8" and my partner about 5'5", we find that the noise level is certainly no worse in targa than hood-down, and there is certainly less wind & buffetting.

As you say, its probably a height thing.

Regards
Short-arse Jon



It is all about the rake of the windscreen....

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk

zertec

499 posts

290 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

Its funny you should say that. As a lad I used to go out with my Dad in his 400SE and it was certainly far noisier and more windy in targa mode than full down.

However, in my 97R Chimaera, with me being 5'8" and my partner about 5'5", we find that the noise level is certainly no worse in targa than hood-down, and there is certainly less wind & buffetting.

As you say, its probably a height thing.

Regards
Short-arse Jon



It is all about the rake of the windscreen....

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk

edward

5,132 posts

291 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:


Obviously if you're a full roof & windows down bugs-in-teeth enthusiast then a clear roof panel will be of no interest!



I've got used to the taste of bugs
Ed

JonRB

76,117 posts

279 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
So, Clive, fancy producing one? A lower cost solution might be to take an existing replacement roof panel and cut a big hole in it and put in a big perspex panel instead, thus neatly side-stepping the problem of shaping it to fit. Or if this weakens the roof panel too much, then maybe two panels with a T-bar down the middle. I'd imagine it would need to be perspex as glass would probably make it too heavy to get on and off.

Does this sound feasible?

zertec

499 posts

290 months

Monday 12th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

So, Clive, fancy producing one? A lower cost solution might be to take an existing replacement roof panel and cut a big hole in it and put in a big perspex panel instead, thus neatly side-stepping the problem of shaping it to fit. Or if this weakens the roof panel too much, then maybe two panels with a T-bar down the middle. I'd imagine it would need to be perspex as glass would probably make it too heavy to get on and off.

Does this sound feasible?


Polycarbonate is the thing

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk

JonRB

76,117 posts

279 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
quotequote all
Ok, polycarbonate then. But is it something you'd produce?

zertec

499 posts

290 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
quotequote all
One of the options we will offer for the Cerbera sunroof is polycarbonate. We will learn from that experience what we can and can't do with the stuff. I could then consider integrating a large panel into a GRP roof panel with the GRP edges painted (black or hood colour). We will be able to blend these in easier on the hardtops.

Polycarbonate can have many protective coatings applied such as scratch-resistance, uv-protection, tinting, etc. It is also possible to include heater elements (obviously for the rear screen). It is however, bloody expensive. I estimate that the rear screen for the Griffith fastback will cost 400-500 pounds (that's cost, not retail).

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk

Edited by zertec on Tuesday 13th November 09:38

.mark

Original Poster:

11,104 posts

283 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
Take it that's a no to my original question then Clive?

zertec

499 posts

290 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

Clive, Just thinking at the weekend about the clear screen on the Chimaera roof. Now I do like a bit of spirited roof off motoring in the winter, but often don't get the roof right down as when it's really cold the rear screen gets really stiff(!). Mine is in perfect condition except for a small crease directly in line with the ally strut, often I go taga to avoid anymore creasing/tears.
I was wondering if there was a design for the plastic to fold neatly thus avoiding the aforemention fears. I realise this would mean the screen would have perhaps visible fold lines but I wouldn't mind that if it meant the rest of the screen was unmarked.
Have you ever thought of it or is there someone out there that already does it?
Or is it just a really sh1te idea?


Could create a zip-out rear screen that would be able to drop flat down the rear bulkhead. this wouldbe better...

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk

ohidunno

506 posts

279 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
I like the Zip out rear window idea (worked well in my old MX5).
Would probably be quite marketable as i think it would be quite cheap to produce. Also there are a lot of Griff / Chimaera owners who would welcome a new clear rear screen and a flatter folding roof.

Sparks

1,217 posts

286 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:


Could create a zip-out rear screen that would be able to drop flat down the rear bulkhead. this wouldbe better...

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
info@zertec.co.uk
www.zertec.co.uk



Could a glass/polycarb one be used (possibly including a heating element) with some sort of 'zipping' mechanism?

I guess there is not enough room for a solid rear window

Sparks

Edited by Sparks on Wednesday 14th November 13:27