Ok Gang you forced my arm! lol

[Fonzy]

My engineer is currently working on a design for a full convertable mr2! we will be producing this i am asking you guys what would you like to see form it:
My thoughts are:
It must perfectly retain the original shape.
Not look like the spider.
be finished in chrome pipework.
Be lighweight.
Be easy to insure.
Be affordable.

If you guys can add anything to my short and basic breif please do.
James.

Please dont expect any pics untill the winter

[nutter]

can it come with a hair brush?

[michael]

Be watertight
Resist scuttle

I'm not sure about some of the points you've raised though:

Not look like the spider - isn't this going to be difficult without making it overly fussy?

be finished in chrome pipework - what parts?

Be lighweight - will this be possible considering the need for extra chassis stiffness?

Be easy to insure - how do you aim to do this?

Be affordable - we'll see

[Driftlimits Performance]

Be lighweight - will this be possible considering the need for extra chassis stiffness

the conversion could come with uprated antiroll bars-tension rods and strut braces?

Removable hardtop that folds up and pops in your pocket

[Fonzy]

im loving the negativity micheal! if i tell you how we are going to acheive this we would have half the imoc affiliates knocking out copies too!
Its more than acheivable if your engineering skills are 15 years hard earnt and all the relevant training in place, what i was asking was, what would you like to see if you was having a conversion done!
Chrome! im sure you have seen the audi TT

[jimGTS]

colour coded hardtop.
foldable hardtop that folds and fits behind the seats.

[michael]

im loving the negativity micheal!

No negativity intended, I'm just raising questions - you aren't the first person to start on this path so I'm interested to see what you come up with

Its more than acheivable if your engineering skills and 15 years hard earnt and all the relevant training in place, what i was asking was, what would you like to see if you was having a conversion done!

I didn't question your ability to do the work, I was telling you what I'd like to see. For me the existing Spyder design is probably about as nice as I'd like things to be, it's clean and works well with the rest of the car (with the roof down at least), I'm just wondering what approach you'd take to achieve the roofless look without making it look like the Spyder. I'd also like to see the chassis sorted out and for the roof to be watertight (unlike the Spider) - I'm trying to add input as requested.

Chrome! im sure you have seen the audi TT

That's what I was worried about, I hate roll hoops


All I'm doing is asking basic questions, if your company isn't responsive to potential customers I'll shut up.

[Fonzy]

All I'm doing is asking basic questions, if your company isn't responsive to potential customers I'll shut up.

very responsive Michael infact so much so that im asking all you guys what you would like!
Im sure your aware i cant give away too much as its a very competative market right now.
So water tight and rattle free?

[Aidy]

Good luck. AFAIK Rogue Systems have already looked into what is required for this and I think they abandoned the idea.

[Fonzy]

thanks Aidy, i am trying to offer what others can't so im pleased rogue put the idea to sleep cos it means i may be one of the few doing this project. thanks for the info.

[KJL Designs]

Be watertight
Resist scuttle

I'm not sure about some of the points you've raised though:

Not look like the spider - isn't this going to be difficult without making it overly fussy?

be finished in chrome pipework - what parts?

Be lighweight - will this be possible considering the need for extra chassis stiffness?

Be easy to insure - how do you aim to do this?

Be affordable - we'll see

Mike, not being funny or anything but your profile picture is disgusting!

Some people (including me) might know someone who has been affected by what is in your profile. Not asking you to change, just bear it in mind.

Kevin.

[michael]

Mike, not being funny or anything but your profile picture is disgusting!

I guess my skin is thicker than most, point taken - pic removed.

[Aidy]

I guess my skin is thicker than most, point taken - pic removed.

*tries to work out if that was a joke*

[sapphire]

Sounds like a fantastic idea! I would definatly take one off your hands! I agree with nutter. Could you also put a lipstick instead of a cigarette lighter?!?!?!?!

[77West]

I suppose the main concern would be price, weather proofing and not looking a numpty with the roof up (mk 2 spider). If it was going to cost to much to do then you’re into competing with some factory built cars…..

Any rough ideas about the cost you’re aiming for?

But don’t be discouraged, there’s not many good soft tops under £10k (quite like Mitsubishi Eclipse), a good affordable MR2 might well make you some money.

[Urban Assault Vehicle]

Not meaning to sound patronising and its not my filed - but has market reaserch been done for this type of thing, i.e prospective buyer numbers and things like that?

[Driftlimits Performance]

Surely this post is a bit of research? Gauging interest etc.

[Rogue]

Good luck. AFAIK Rogue Systems have already looked into what is required for this and I think they abandoned the idea.

We did indeed, although if we're being honest, it was more about playing with our new air sabre at the time...



We were interested to see if the strength in the A pillar on a T-bar chassis was up to the job of running without a roof, and we determined that it was far from adequate - you could move the windscreen with a relatively small amount of force. This backed up the rumour that Toyota Technocraft added strenghtening to the non T-bar chassis rather than working with the T-bar model (we have access to genuine Spider, so I might run it down to the local weighbridge to determine what's been added).

There is already a company in Birmingham called B.A.D. Designs that offers a fully convertible kit for the mk2 for £1999.99. They bought the designs off the people behind the Veranti kit car so that they could use it with their 355 kit, but then went further to allow fitment to no kitted cars. That said, I've seen their 355 spider-a-like, but not a standard drop-top MR2 yet.

Best of luck with the conversion. It'll certainly keep you busy!

Rogue

[Urban Assault Vehicle]

Surely this post is a bit of research? Gauging interest etc.

I know what you mean but say 25 people say they are interested in the idea from this post, is that really enough to justify the money put in to see if the project works?

[shafster]

i would like to some some huuuuge rims and sound system in it