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Packing the top on a Superformance S1


dhubbard422

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Hey Superformance S1 Owners,

 

I'm doing a fly-n-drive to pick up my new-to-me 7 on Sunday and I've been told that stowing the top in the boot on a Superformance S1 takes up most of the space in the boot (trunk). Any tips for packing the top? If I pack it carefully, will there be any space left for tools and gear in the boot? Or should I bring a waterproof duffel for my gear?

 

I'll start a backroads trip from LA to Austin Sunday afternoon!

 

Thanks in advance,

Don

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Don,

 

My top came in a small bag that took up very little room in the bottom of the trunk. However, the doors were installed on the car and not in the trunk, so that may be a problem. I think if you slide the windows down in the door channels you should be able to fit the doors in the trunk and small bags. If you are traveling alone, the passenger seat and footwell will have all the room you need.

 

If you come through AZ and need help, feel free to call me, 53ATE-256ATE with an area code of 6 oh 2.

 

BTW, be sure to check the front fender mounting bolts for tightness, mine loosened up 300 miles out. I think it is a 13mm.

 

Also, if you fold up the top, place some soft towels over the top's windows to keep them from get all scratched up.

 

 

 

Tom

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Tom,

 

Thanks for the info - and for your number, hopefully, my trip will be trouble free... If all goes well, I plan to cross AZ next week on Monday and Tuesday. I hope to leave Big Bear Lake (CA) Monday AM, cross the Twentynine Palms Hwy, Hwy 60, then take 89 & 89A through Wickenburg, Prescott & Jerome (your suggestions). On Tuesday I plan to continue east from Jerome to Ruidoso (NM) through the forest across 260 & 60 - have you driven these roads? Hwy 260 out of Clarkdale looks like it might be fun.

 

Thanks,

Don

 

(five12) five7six-ate29five

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Steve, Tom, All,

 

Do you like traveling with the doors on or off the S1? Did the doors come with their own bags? Sounds like I should bring some towels to pack/stow top and (possibly) doors.

 

I plan on bringing a couple of small tool bags; I'll buy an emergency tire fix-it kit in LA. Dry duffel bags. A few small towels. And ear plugs...

 

Any other suggestions for 4 days and 1,500+ miles on two lane blacktop in a 7?

 

Thanks,

Don

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I plan on bringing a couple of small tool bags; I'll buy an emergency tire fix-it kit in LA. Dry duffel bags. A few small towels. And ear plugs...

 

Any other suggestions for 4 days and 1,500+ miles on two lane blacktop in a 7?

 

AAA membership, impact rated sunglasses, lots of sunscreen, dont trust the gas gauge esp initially. If its really hot I'd suggest a cool suit but that is something that needs planning.

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Make sure your car has outside rear view mirrors on the doors and on the car itself if you take the doors off. Clear and dark safety glasses. Aquick tarp or poncho in case you can't find an overpass in a storm. Foam ear plugs or over the ear headphones for your iPhone. Driving gloves. Coolant, drinking water, cell phone and charger, paper road map.

 

The trip from Clarkdale on the 260 is great once you get out of the low desert. Set your GPS in Clarkdale to steer you towards Payson and you'll be set

 

Tom

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Congrats on the S1!! Make sure to check the front fender mounts, both of mine broke right at the flange that attaches them to the body. Inspect them for hairline cracks just adjacent to the welds. If they look suspect, I would suggest taking them to a welding shop and having them reinforced... having one of them break on you in the middle of the desert would SUCK! A helmet wouldn't be a bad idea either. I wear one ever since some road debris whizzed by my ear and took a chunk out of the foam on the roll bar behind my head.

Bon Voyage!!

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Ditto on the fenders, have one bugered one left, ran over the other one, the mounting is very poor, as are the head lights, Very seldom take top off mine, just un-zip it part way and fold back over the center (like a T top) and wrap it with a long bungie, you are open and it is easy to get covered in rain. saves trunk for clothes, have went to town (250 miles) for a few days with plenty of clothes and a rx-7 rotary engine in the passenger seat. google S-1 and you can get the web site with the recommended upgrades, there actually are not too many unless you have a rotary engine, but remember lock-tite is your friend. Good luck, they are comfortable on long trips and prefer mine over the Miata.

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BTW, 6 days and 4,000 miles is a haul in any vehicle... much less a 7!

 

I am planning on driving the Angeles Crest and Rim of the World Highways in CA... google maps says that'll take about 5 hours for about 150 miles. It might be a bit quicker in a 7 tho. ;0

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I am planning on driving the Angeles Crest and Rim of the World Highways in CA... google maps says that'll take about 5 hours for about 150 miles. It might be a bit quicker in a 7 tho. ;0

 

You might find that its quite a bit slower :-)

 

My Seven is the "fastest" car I own but with the tiny fuel tank, noise and vibration I find that I stop much more frequently (~100 miles) which makes it also the slowest car that I own. When I drove SF-Seattle it took me ~13 hours to cover just 600 miles on day 1. In comparison when I drove the Elise I made the entire 800 mile trip in less than 12 hrs.

 

Either way you'll have a fun trip and will really know the car well by the time you get home

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