Interior Exterior
Q:
But now you will have levers sticking down into the already small cockpit area.
Seriously, that's what the soft top is for. Put it on, and take it off quickly, store it in the boot. If you need the top on while driving to your client, install the sort top - is it really that much less than the hardtop?
Very insightful, thanks!... Now, do you have any suggestions about how we could improve the performance of the A/C?...
A:
But now you will have levers sticking down into the already small cockpit area.
Seriously, that's what the soft top is for. Put it on, and take it off quickly, store it in the boot. If you need the top on while driving to your client, install the sort top - is it really that much less than the hardtop?
I have a few ideas to take care of the levers after the top is removed. The solution is getting closer though, with the levers we've eliminated the need to carry tools and torque bolts.
A:
Very insightful, thanks!... Now, do you have any suggestions about how we could improve the performance of the A/C?...
HA! Point given. The bike idea might work, but you'd still have to unscrew the grooves. What I think we need is the same type of locking arms that most convertable tops use in the front. Insert the back, and lock down the fronts. That would be a 30 second operation. But it would also require some re-design of the four contact points i.e. bodywork and re-enforcement.
A:
I have a few ideas to take care of the levers after the top is removed. The solution is getting closer though, with the levers we've eliminated the need to carry tools and torque bolts.
Removable levers (carry one lever.)
http://www.veratomic.com/phpshop/frame.php?p=5
A:
But it would also require some re-design of the four contact points i.e. bodywork and re-enforcement.
But then the soft top would not work...
A:
The bike lever quick release concept could work, in theory, but the amount of displacement (change in overall length) those actually produce is quite small. In an Elise application, I think you'd really need to make the cam much more aggressive, as the brackets seem to need a LOT of slop before you can remove the hard top. It could be done with a custom lever.
A:
My NSX had a small lever on each side recessed in the top. Worked great: open each door or roll down the windows, pull the levers, remove top. Even had little rubber caps to put in the holes to reduce wind noise (for better listening to the engine and exhaust). Also, it never leaked. No reason Lotus could not build that.
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But then the soft top would not work...
DOH!
A:
Don't know exactly how you're planning on rigging your quick release levers, but if it helps, try a quick release skewer for a bike seatpost instead of for the hubs... they're much shorter. I have a set holding the mirror arms in place on my jeep. Very convenient if I need to fold the mirrors in for off-road clearance... or tight parking.
Cade
A:
Don't know exactly how you're planning on rigging your quick release levers, but if it helps, try a quick release skewer for a bike seatpost instead of for the hubs... they're much shorter. I have a set holding the mirror arms in place on my jeep. Very convenient if I need to fold the mirrors in for off-road clearance... or tight parking.
Cade
Yes, I looked at the seatpost quick release, this is another viable option and may be easier to adapt since the seatpost bolt is much larger than the hub skewer. Thanks for the input!