by "LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
Published 02/03/2017 at 13:02
by "LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
Published 02/03/2017 at 13:02
Tags: Miata
; MX-5
; MX-5 RF
; modification
STARS: 0
For Michigan ’s post earlier showing very stylish louvers on a MX-5 RF got me wondering:
Could one take the MX-5 RF, remove the mechanize targa top mechanicals and fix the top in place and have the hardtop Miata people have sought while saving weight? In what way would it be not as good as a proper factory hardtop?
I would imagine there would be more risks of leaks, and one wouldn’t get a stylish full hatchback, as I would hope the factory would do (but probably wouldn’t, given current trends).
It would also seem difficult to do a good job of creating the fastback window that the louvers imitate, but such a fastback would be nice for more internal cargo space . . . but again, best if it were a hatchback, and, who am I kidding about storage space inside one of these?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/03/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 1
I actually think a hatchback in this car would dramatically increase the usability of the storage.
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
02/03/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 4
If a hatch goes from the seats to the rear gate, they can actually hold a lot. My S30 seems very small but the hatch area holds a lot, even with my roll bar. I would really consider this new Miata if it had a proper hard top hatch. I just built the Mazda booth at the auto show and got to drive a few.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
02/03/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 1
Wouldn’t it be easier to start with a soft top? Mock up a hardtop in Cad or with fiberglass before having it made in steel/aluminum to weld to the body?
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
02/03/2017 at 13:19, STARS: 0
Maybe so. I was thinking that removing mechanicals might be relatively easy, plus factory paint. I’m ignoring cost considerations.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
02/03/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0
I’m not super into miata’s or convertibles but I just figured a hardtop convertible would take more space out of the trunk then a soft top. But maybe they have enough folds where trunk space is equal. Which in that case would be easier to just weld up your hinges.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/03/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 1
If it were a hatchback the back glass would be heavy. I’f you want fixed roof removing the mechanicals and afixing the steel top or a carbon fiber top would be best.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/03/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0
I just spent some time looking at the mechanicals of the RF roof mechanism. It looks like you could remove the roof, roll bar, and trunk and replace it with a new fastback/hatchback top and hatch.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
02/03/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
But, as you said, if you remove all that, maybe should start with a ragtop instead.
"daender" (daender)
02/03/2017 at 18:58, STARS: 1
I had similar thoughts Monday . Just gut the system and TIG all the seams shut to avoid leaks (maybe install a Blackbird Fabworx RZ rollbar as an additional safety measure).
Get my NB2 coupe successor going on.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
02/04/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0
Then there is this approach:
https://radroadsters.wordpress.com/garage-beary/
