Hard Top for S1

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:10 pm

Have read that pre. May 98 cars have a different roof configuration. The hard top was an after thought so to fit a hard top to the pre 98s you need to mod it somehow.

Anyone heard of this?? How difficult to do?

Cheers.

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:16 pm

From elises.co.uk

"The hard-top is a must if you are an all year round driver. It was introduced part way into the Elise S1 lifetime and modification to the cars cant rails were made from May 98 (VIN 3332 onwards) to accept it. Cars earlier than this will require modification to accept the S1 hard-top. The hard-top transforms the car into and all weather coupe and if correctly fitted is waterproof, under all conditions. It uses the same rear fitting points and the soft top but requires the role bar cover to be removed to fit it. The front is clamped to the screen surround using a separate panel and three allen key bolts. Three plastic lugs clip into the holes to hide the allen key fixings. These are very difficult to get out once pushed into place, without damaging the plastic. New ones can be bought from your dealer for very little money.
The hard-top is heavy and ideally needs two people to fit it. Be very careful when taking it off, as the rear glass has a habit of sticking itself to the hard-top and dropping off just as you are about to put it down. Take time to fit it correctly and it won't leak. As it has no gutter it is a good idea to sweep any standing water off the roof before you enter the car. If you don't it will run down the sides and drip onto the seat. "

Unfortunately no details of exactly what the mods are. I doubt it will be anything drastic though

jj · Post by jj » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:00 pm

Handy that I have one for sale isnt it should you get an S1 soon..... I dont know what the difference is, as my car was a 99.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:08 pm

mmmm...interesting. What are you looking for it?

jj · Post by jj » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:40 pm

first 600 takes it away or i`ll keep it and eBay it in October. And thats a bargain.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:47 pm

hmmm...Don't know much about these. Is it a lotus made roof? I take it it's silver. Was it a factory fit that came with the car or did you buy it separately?

Post by **simon** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:48 pm

I'd say not to bother with one. I have a hard top for mine and it's been on once in the last 18 months and that's only cos I was moving house and had nowhere else to put it.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:51 pm

Does yours live outside all year.? Would I be right in saying that the short roofs do a better job of keeping water out than the long tail S1 jobs?

Post by **simon** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:12 pm

It did live outside and generally, S2s are better than S1s at keeping out the rain. If that's all you want it for though, get a shower cape for £60 or even a full cover and just chuck that on when you park.

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:29 pm

simon wrote:I'd say not to bother with one. I have a hard top for mine and it's been on once in the last 18 months and that's only cos I was moving house and had nowhere else to put it.

yeah, s2 roofs are a doddle to fit & remove compared to S1s though. Hardtop is great for taking off in the morning, going for a drive, then popping back on when you get back - i use the softie as an emergency only option

/2p

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:23 pm

I'll probably get flamed for this but if you are looking at S1 money and thinking about using it as a daily driver you could get an X / Y plate VX for £10k and up.

Bit more practical than an S1 and not as expensive as an S2.

This link below is now sold, but it went for £12k.

http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/index.ph ... 86e195b2b9

Just a thought if its not only going to be a weekend toy.

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:30 pm

In my head, the VX is the one to go for, better engine than the K, and better VFM. But having driven an S1, VX, then various S2's, i'd always go for the S1. Just so much more uncivilised and raw, which is what i wanted.

If you dont want raw though, buy the vx, definately better VFM

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:32 pm

Fair point

One of my mates just got a vx220 turbo and loves it

mac · Post by **mac** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:36 pm

Having now drive both S1 and S2 models the S1 is much more raw and to my mind overs a much more involved drive.

Saying that I don't think I would ever swap my S2 for an S1. I like the styling better and inteior. Ok the heater is crap but the finish is overall better IMHO and the seats much more comfortable.

Cheers

Mac

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:49 pm

i agree about the seats, but these can be swapped easily.

on the other hand, the S2 can be made to handle ok as well, and buy the time you upgrade suspension and geo, there not that far apart.

Like i say, if you drove the VX without trying an S1, you would buy iy, but for me, its gotta be the S1