17 replies to this topic

[adam_wz]

Morning all, Im looking to get a hardtop for my N/A over the next few weeks but i was wondering if there are any other bits i will need to buy in order for the hardtop to fit? Adam

[Mike (Cliffie)]

[quote name='adam_wz' date='28 August 2010 - 09:11 AM' timestamp='1282983086' post='1078169']
Morning all,

Im looking to get a hardtop for my N/A over the next few weeks but i was wondering if there are any other bits i will need to buy in order for the hardtop to fit?

Adam

If you buy an original hardtop it should come with all you need.

There are four pieces, the top itself, two covers for the rear and a single cover for the front.

All you need to fit is a torx driver which did come with the hardtop but many owners have misplaced.

If you do find an original hardtop, ensure you get all four bits as separately the covers are impossible to find.

[iVXT]

If you buy an original hardtop it should come with all you need.

There are four pieces, the top itself, two covers for the rear and a single cover for the front.

All you need to fit is a torx driver which did come with the hardtop but many owners have misplaced.

If you do find an original hardtop, ensure you get all four bits as separately the covers are impossible to find.

Are these inside trim covers you are talking about? Never seen inside one with a hardtop on.

Also are all factory hardtops lined just out of interest? Not sure if I want/need one or not as only dry weather use for my vxt. Take it they should come with a storage bag as well. Are they a bugger to fit & remove etc?

[2.2_na]

If you buy an original hardtop it should come with all you need.

There are four pieces, the top itself, two covers for the rear and a single cover for the front.

All you need to fit is a torx driver which did come with the hardtop but many owners have misplaced.

If you do find an original hardtop, ensure you get all four bits as separately the covers are impossible to find.

Are these inside trim covers you are talking about? Never seen inside one with a hardtop on.

Also are all factory hardtops lined just out of interest? Not sure if I want/need one or not as only dry weather use for my vxt. Take it they should come with a storage bag as well. Are they a bugger to fit & remove etc?

Yes, these covers cover up the fixings for the hard top, once the hard top is fixed on. They cover up the bolts etc. Personally, on my VX, I have my hard top on, but leave the covers off recently.

The hard top is quite easy to fit and remove, once you've done it a few times. It doesn't take long when you get the hang of it. It is possible to fit and remove on your own.

[Nelly Vx]

You can not really go wrong fitting it but this may help

[theotherjonnymac]

My first Vx had a hardtop. My current Vx has not. I accept I live in the South where the weather is rarely rubbish but I would question the need for one. There are nice sunny days in the Winter when it is great to be able to whip the roof off. A hardtop stifles this.

[soupdragon]

It's true that being able to whip the soft top off at any time is a big plus but I'm glad I've got the hard top for when the weather turns nasty It's also much quieter and looks classy

[Wolfstone]

Also are all factory hardtops lined just out of interest? Not sure if I want/need one or not as only dry weather use for my vxt. Take it they should come with a storage bag as well. Are they a bugger to fit & remove etc?

N/A OEM hardtops are unlined. Turbo OEM hardtops are lined. Most aftermarket hardtops for either are unlined afaik. OEM hardtops come with a very flimsy cover for protection but it doesn't have any hooks or anything to hang it on the wall. There are though aftermarket storage bags available that'll do the job nicely.

[smiley]

Turbo:


NA:

[iVXT]

Thanks for the info & the pics. Didn't even know anybody made aftermarket hardtops.

[smiley]

Previous pictures are OEM's. When buying used, always ask for pictures fom the inside, so you're sure you're buying OEM. OEM tubby HT went for 1950 euro when new (not sure about NA), and are worth more IMO. Aftermarket HT's were about 700(isch) new. OEM NA's were delivered new in silver only (to match the window frame) OEM tubby's were delivered new in the color of the car. As said before, make sure you get one with all 4 part. The torx can be found in any hardware shop, but just 1 of the 3 extra parts (not the HT itself) is a nightmare.

[chrisgold]

Would this not fit a vx 220???

http://www.elisepart...-short-hardtop/

[smiley]

It will fit, but as the elise rollbar cover is a bit more round then a vx one, the result will look a bit shite.

[rob_s]

no matter how many times I see that photo with the comments that it looks crap I really struggle to see how it fits any worse than the soft top. It looks fine to me, maybe I need a close up of the roof line

Edited by rob_s, 29 August 2010 - 12:31 PM.

[smiley]

@Rob; it seems to be the only picture of an elise top ever making it on a vx220. None ever seemed to have dared to take the jump and make pictures of the result. Anyone feeling like popping over to seloc and borrow one and make some detailed pictures?

[Steve B]

Just to add if you have an early car with aluminium rear roof brackets you'll need to order the later plastic ones from lotus to make a hardtop fit properly. The aluminium ones don't let the back of the roof pull down to seat it properly.

[iVXT]

Are the aftermarket any good compared to oem & still available just out of interest? Or would you reckon the oem turbo would be the best to look out for if it's complete with all the inner covers, bag, fitting tool etc.

[adam_wz]

superb thanx for the advice people, so who wants to sell me their hard top then