Electric Roof

[cosworthstag]

Has anyone converted thir roof to be electric?
The guys at Top Boss seem to think this is a simple conversion using a XR3 system?

[Stagdad]

It's on my dream list

[TimShoubridge]

If they think it's that simple they've probably got a couple of hundred punters on this forum alone. However, simple does not mean cheap or cost effective I assume.

[jasper]

Electric roof, whatever next bread you don't have to cut yourself !!!

John

[jleyton]

The guys at Top Boss seem to think this is a simple conversion using a XR3 system?

Well I'd be very interested to see how they could do it. Would they fit a robot to release the two catches above the screen and then the one on the N/S B post and then lift the tonneau.

I'm fascinated to see how Metal Mickey (remember him? ) would then fold the material neatly to prevent it getting trapped, before he nips out to slam down the tonneau.

Sceptical? Me ??

But if they can do it somehow then I'd certainly be interested. Apparently, Triumph themselves experimented with it at the development stage.

Cheers

Julian

[redstag]

There's no chance they can do it. Anyone who thinks it would be a simple conversion is living in cloud cuckoo land.
Especially if they plan to use an XR3 system.

Sounds like they have never even looked at aStag hood.

Pete

[john 4d]

Maybe an historical lesson is required.

Wikimedia
Convertibles such as the second generation Ford Thunderbird (1958) convertible and the fourth generation Mercedes SL popularized the complex electro-hydraulic roof mechanism that automatically secured the folded top under a rigid tonneau — button activated by a seated driver — and later more routinely available on convertibles such as the Volvo C70, Chrysler Sebring and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.1953 Ford Motor Company spent an estimated US$2 million to engineer a Continental Mark II with a servo-operated retractable roof. The project was headed by Ben Smith, a 30-year-old draftsman.[19] The concept was rejected for cost and marketing reasons.[17]
1957 Ford introduced the Skyliner in the United States. A total of 48,394 were built from 1957 to 1959.[17] The retractable top was noted for its complexity and intermittent reliability in the pre-transistor era. Its mechanism contained 10 power relays, 10 limit switches, four lock motors, three drive motors, eight circuit breakers, as well as 610 feet (190 m) of electrical wire,[17] and could raise the or lower the top in about 40 seconds. The Skyliner was a halo car with little luggage space (i.e., practicality), and cost twice that of a baseline Ford sedan.

In my last few visits to the states I drove a Sebring and loved it. I looked for hours at the hood mechanism, wondering how the stag's set up could be adapted, that was long enough!

[jleyton]

Interesting John, but I've been involved with convertible roofs at the vehicle manufacturer stage. It's one thing to engineer it in from the start but it's a totally different proposition to try and do something as an after market option.

I do hope my scepticism is proven wrong though !

Cheers

Julian

[Rubce]

I'd buy one if it was under a grand and worked. I'd sell lots of things on ebay to raise the funds, plus get a paper round, a Saturday job, wash other peoples cars etc etc.

Ah, the thought of an electric hood.

Bruce

[Stagdad]

I would want a folding metal roof that adds no more weight ,if that not asking to much.

[brian0443]

John 4D you really got me thinking back. Anyone remember the film from the 50s or early 60s? Possibly Cary Grant demonstrating a convertible with auto everything as he tried to hide and then driving off with roof going up and down, doors, bonnet and boot flapping about, etc..... I wont sleep if I can't get the name of it.
Brian

[Westfaling]

There's no question that a power soft top (even if you have to release the front levers manually) would be a great benefit. To my mind it's the one disadvantage of the Stag compared to modern convertibles. Didn't Triumph spend a lot of time trying to make this work before launch? Can't see it happening but I'd buy one if it did!
Nick

[Jeff]

There was an advert a few years ago in the mag advertising installation of a electric hood, I rang to enquire for the price only to be told, "don't be stupid, look at the date"! Yep, it was 1st April.

But this is February???

Jeff.

[Andy Rundell]

i can't help but think it would be an expensive way to get your soft-top sliced up regularly, if that is going to happen i would rather do it myself

.........Andy

[new to this]

a few years ago some put a ad in the club mag selling electric roof for the stag but it was only an april fool joke

Dave