Half-doors done

[andrew7]

Last week took my first ride of the season, it was great except the wind was cool and the sun very low. A ballcap would blow off but you needed one on for shade and to keep the head warm. After 2 hours Dad was miserable. He suggested a roof,doors and a tire change. The weather as you know turned back to winter and dropped snow. So we are busy making changes. The second door is almost finished, a couple hours for rivets and fitting but I couldn't wait to put pics up. Please excuse the quality its a Walmart webcam.

 

 

 

The frame is 3/16" steel rod

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_200428_7doors_002.jpg

 

 

 

Both ends have 1/4 turn snaps (Thanks for the idea, Al )

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_201714_7doors_004.jpg

 

 

 

overview of fit

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_202153_7doors_003.jpg

 

 

 

Practicing sowing on a 1923 singer with foot-treddle

 

(Grandma's wedding present)

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_202626_7doors_011.jpg

 

 

 

Drivers door

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_203206_7doors_016.jpg

 

 

 

I didn't want snaps on my polished aluminum so moved them inside.

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_203700_7doors_019.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_204059_7doors_021.jpg

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070409_204402_7doors_022.jpg

 

 

 

The next step is the top. I am planning on carrying it and the doors with me all the time. The most likely spot is strapped down over the boot. I am also working on removable side window ideas that velcro in between the roof and half-doors. Hope you enjoyed the photos.

[R1 Seven]

Those are cool Andrew. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif

 

 

 

I could have used a set of those at the track this past weekend...it was just above freezing when I went out for my morning sessions...

[andrew7]

Thanks Jeff,

 

The other side is finished and its going to be 50 on friday so I'll see how they work. Tomorrow we're starting on the top. I wonder how many seveners have a top for their cars in case 7-7-7 is wet? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif

[slngsht]

Thanks Jeff,

 

The other side is finished and its going to be 50 on friday so I'll see how they work. Tomorrow we're starting on the top. I wonder how many seveners have a top for their cars in case 7-7-7 is wet? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif

 

 

 

Nice doors... my seven is bald at the moment, so I have to do a top of some kind between now and then.

[locost7018]

How do they work?? I don't see a hinge. I am working on some full doors for mine and will hinge them off the upright. Haven't figured a way to latch them yet. Also working on a bikini top, Russ

[slngsht]

Russ, what are you using for hinges?

[locost7018]

Got some lift off stainless hinges from McMaster Carr. Right and left sets. I think they were less than $20 total. going to weld up a frame like this guy's. www.groovy42.freeserve.co.uk

 

Also doing his top and already have his boot box and a foot rest/glove box similar to his. He has done some cool things, Russ

[andrew7]

They have 2, 1/4 turn snaps on each end and 2 interior snaps on the bottom. No hinges. I'm working on a top now. I didn't do full doors because of my mirrors and plexy wind diverters. I felt half-doors would be better for me and the way I use my car.

 

 

 

O.T.

 

 

 

I was watching a Fifth Gear video clip of Tiff testing the new R500. He surprised me at the end by saying, "The R500 is Caterham's flagship at over #30,000 but you can have almost as much fun in there basic model at #10,000." He's comparing a 230hp Rover to a 105hp Kent crossflow, which leads me to think it doesn't matter if your car is a BEC or has an LS7 or is Pinto powered. They ALL are a great drivers car to experience and own.

 

 

 

Mazda you could let it go and if it rained get a blue tarp and The Handymans Secret Weapon(duct tape). Remember if the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif .andrew72007-04-12 16:58:30

[slngsht]

 

Mazda you could let it go and if it rained get a blue tarp and The Handymans Secret Weapon(duct tape). Remember if the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif .

 

 

 

Funny you should say that... the first long drive I took with the Rotus was about 600 miles through Skyline, down to VA Beach, and back to DC. On the last leg of the trip, I hit rain. Fortunately, I had borrowed my friend's blue tarp as a last minute thought - just to be safe. He forgot to mention it had holes http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif. So I pulled over at a McDonalds, put the tarp on, put my golf umbrella under it, and fired up my laptop to surf a little.

 

 

 

After a while, I figured I better start the car before the battery runs too low. I (unintentionally) SCARED THE CRAP out of some lady trying to get in her car parked next to mine. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif She never suspected somebody would be under the tarp.

[BusaLoco]

That's awsome Andrew! ...   I gots to sews me somes of that!

[ptrxly]

Andrew,

 

    The doors look very neat and tidy. What kind of material did you use? Was the wire welded together? I am in the midst of designing some doors and have a half dozen concepts so far but none I am pleased with. Yours are so simple and elegant so I think that is the way I will go. A couple of vertical wire bows will be added to the wire frame to give me a bit of room for my left elbow and add a hinge on the front. Next project will be a surrey roof.

 

Thanks for the design idea,

 

Peter

[andrew7]

I'm glad you like them, Pete. I did the same thing, looking at what everybody else used and trying to come up with what was best for me.

 

 

 

Its 3/16" rod bent around then butt welded. The material is a different kind of vinyl from a fabric store but it is very soft and no-gloss. It feels like a thin leather driving glove. I was going to make full doors but half-doors suit my purposes better. One hint, try using No-Sew

 

glue from GOOP, the first door was harder holding the material over the rod then trying to sow a straight line.

 

The passenger door worked out better. Glueing the material around the frame first then putting it through the Singer the next day.

 

My doors are flat and I thought my shoulder and arm would rub but with my +4" frame it fits well.

 

I first cut out a cardboard template then taped it in position for fit and looks to see how it would appear finished. That way you can try different designs.

 

I'm currently working on the top, the front with snaps is on. I've already changed plans half way through, you have to be flexible. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

[ptrxly]

Andrew,

 

    Have you had a chance to try out you half doors on the road yet this weekend? Do they reduce some of the wind buffeting and increase comfort as you expected?    Now I am debating if I should do half doors, or go all the way and add side windows to your basic design. Our driving season is so short here that any added weather protection is appreciated. We had fresh snow on the ground again this morning.

 

    Good luck with your top construction.

 

Peter

[andrew7]

Pete, I sorry to say I didnt'. I'm getting over a bad cold and the weather this week has been 35-45 with rain and now their calling for 1-3" of snow. I've been working on the top. I understand your season is shorter than mine but here is what I'm doing. I wanted a modular system that could be added or removed as the weather dictated. Boxsters and Miatas have wind screens to prevent back blast of air on you neck and I've seen a couple seven owners do something similiar. A piece of plexyglass will go on the back of the roll bar; one, to provide a barrier for the wind and two, become the back window for the top. It will also make the cockpit smaller and less space to keep warm. I've change my design from a full top to a tonneau which can be rolled up and stored anywhere but still provide full protection from the elements. Last but not least I'm going to make clear vinyl side panels with industrial velcro to attach the half-doors, the top, the front upright and roll bar. I'll still have 360 degree vision and be completely sealed, well as good as it gets in a seven. If it works for tent trailiers and Jeeps, I think it will work well enough for me.

 

 

 

I've been thinking of your location and I'm not sure what I would do either. If you go full doors and top it'll be the warmest and dryest, probably. Could you remove them while your out and store them if the weather turned nice? If your out on a drive and hit a small rain storm. Can you pull your top and doors out and put them on? Those were my reasons for my decisions but personal location might have made a difference. Also, if I wanted a more practical convertible I would have bought a Boxster or Mustang. I hope to have the top done by the end of this week then I'll post pics and give a report.