southwind25 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 If all goes well, we will be a valid set of members on this list by the holidays.. We are in negotiation for a Birkin. Question: presently this car does NOT come with a top. As well we have heard that getting in with a top on these cars are pretty much a contortionists nightmare. It is very likely we will want a Top anyways, for those rainy drives. How complex, would it be to fabricate our own? mary is a seamstress, and has made tonnaeu covers, seat covers, and various sewing projects through the years. on our sailboat as well, she has made allot of sewing projects, covers etc.. Does anyone have a "pattern" for a birkin top? are there obvious improvements that can be made to a birkin top that someone might suggest? we figure making a top frame would be very easy! any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I'm sure one of the friendly listers would loan you their top for a pattern....never hurts to ask. While you're at it, consider making a half-hood like the Jill Judd one. It's what I use as a top (no side or rear coverage...makes for excellent drives in the rain) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Getting in and out of a Se7en is not an elegant exercise with the top up even by yourself. Accommodating a second person becomes an even a bigger challenge. I once read that when a gentleman goes through the exercise of getting into the driver’s side when your lady passenger is already safely sitting in the passenger’s seat, the only proper thing to do is propose marriage to her. You literally have to stick your head out the opposite side of the cockpit to get properly seated which means you are practically laying the poor lass. Maybe adding a top is not such a bad idea. After all a Se7en seems to be a chick magnet. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Maybe adding a top is not such a bad idea. After all a Se7en seems to be a chick magnet. Jack Jack, you have a fine chick, you don't need a chick magnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hey Jerry, That was just a heads up for the guys who do not have fine chicks like you and I do. Maybe a little advice to help someone else not a fortunate as us to old gezzers to make an informed decision. Please tell Sue I said hello. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Look at mine. Real easy to make. Used old colapsible tent poles for stiffeners. Besure to take the glass out of the windshield before drilling for the snaps. Russ http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Locost_North_America/photos/browse/3ce3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I never ordered the weather gear for my Caterham as I knew I'd never be able to get in with the top up. However, Boxologist has a top with a neat feature that allows one to enter the car. It has a zippered or velcroed piece that opens up to allow one to get in and then reseal while sitting in the car. I'm sure he'll post a picture if you ask. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I’ll second Al’s recommendation for a half hood. I’ve used my full hood once: the 14 hour drive home after the initial purchase. I didn’t care for it. Ingress/egress was a pain, it was like driving inside a drum, and the windscreen kept fogging up. When I rebuilt the car, I didn’t provision the hood and instead had a half hood made locally. A properly designed half hood will keep you nearly as dry as a full hood, but without all the associated shortcomings. They also weigh less -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 If you can wrap your left leg around the back of your neck while straddling the entrance and holding the side screen up with your right hand, then it's no problemo. Pluses: once in, there is a surprising amt of room and visibility is decent. And, I think the car looks cool with the top up, which is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Not to rub it in, but I can totally get into my Cat with the halfhood and steering wheel on. Tom's (and others, over the years) seen me do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Robbert, I have one in the hanger. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 As Tom said I have a one of (actually 2) softbitforsevens hoods with the EZ in feature. definitely simpler too get in than my factory hood. if gj can't locate his, contact Dick Brink in texas or try softbits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 The Soft Bits For Sevens web page (Jill Judd's company), http://www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk/, mentions that Rocky Mountain Sports Cars, a.k.a. US Caterham, are now some sort of dealer/distributor for their products in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I wonder if we indexed the driver's mass with their ability to get in and out of the 7, and then did it by hours spent on the treadmill if we could see a pattern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I do not think you will have a problem making a half top and doors. I recommend the half doors as they become more useful for cooler weather driving. If I think its going to rain hard, I don't take the car out but I will if there is a slight chance. The top is also great if the temps are very hot and the sun is up to broil, the drive becomes tolerable. My half doors have 1/4" rod for shape, fabric sewn over it and 2 quarter turn and 2 snaps hold it in place. The top is more individual to the car. 7-12 snaps up front with a couple of straps pulling down the back. My light weight material needed a bar in back plus support between the windshield and rollbar(my material stretched and flapped at 35mph). A Sunbrella material would be great. I attached velcro on clear heavy-duty vinyl between the doors and top for the windows. I've used them a couple of times. Just some ideas for you. If you are unsure if you willl be able to get in and out of the car, throw a blanket over the windshield and rollbar and try it. If you can't, go do Pilates for 1 hour, get in the car or repeat till able. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1753169225_7pics 009 (Large).jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 interesting...i sorta like this, might be good for most of our purposes.. otherwise, gary, we might come and take a look at your top, sometime after the holidays. we also like the zipper idea.. our old brit cars never sealed up anyways...just keep the main rain off..we sail in the rain anyways.. We suspect, the 7 should be pretty much driven like a motorcycle as far as respecting the elements.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I wonder if we indexed the driver's mass with their ability to get in and out of the 7, and then did it by hours spent on the treadmill if we could see a pattern? I think my ability to get into the car has more to do with my relatively short height and natural flexibility (it's definitely declining, though). I've got plenty of mass, mind you....especially now that I've put on "my winter coat". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 With my size and much abused body, coupled with some years I can still get in with the top up. Add the side curtains and the difficulty doubles. It is still doable, but once in I don't want to get in & out. With the cold weather I have been running with the top off & sides on and the heater works well. I need more fur on the roof though, as the top of the head chills down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandurath Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Of interest may be some of Sam Buchanan's Stalker mods. The doors and the heater are pretty slick. My mouse is acting up for some reason, won't link. But search and ye shall find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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