DIY hardtop

[Ahlah69]

Hi people. New to the scene. We have z3 2.8 and hardtop was wondering if anyone has been involved in doing their own coupe or hardtop project something like the 4….

 

[IainP]

This maybe?


No idea if it was ever completed, someone posted a link to it some while back.

 

[Ahlah69]

This maybe?

View attachment 244231
No idea if it was ever completed, someone posted a link to it some while back.

 

[Ahlah69]

Morning Ian…. Thanks for that.. yes that’s along the line of it..would be nice to know if it’s history

 

[Duncodin]

Googling for "Z3 Fastback Hardtop" and this pops up.

But I the site seems to be broken

 

[Richard29]

Googling for "Z3 Fastback Hardtop" and this pops up.

View attachment 247181

But I the site seems to be broken

That looks superb, shame they did not put the iconic bmw return angle in tje rear glass.

 

[Zephyr]

Googling for "Z3 Fastback Hardtop" and this pops up.

View attachment 247181

But I the site seems to be broken

Would kill for this but unfortunately is a photoshop. The filename reveals it.
Filename: mcoupeshop.jpg (1024 x 410, 45.6 kB), it is stored in the photobucket cloud in the “photoshop” folders.

 

[Dxbolton]

A nicer roof than a clown shoe, imo

 

[Duncodin]

Would kill for this but unfortunately is a photoshop. The filename reveals it.
Filename: mcoupeshop.jpg (1024 x 410, 45.6 kB), it is stored in the photobucket cloud in the “photoshop” folders.

Don't need to put my detecting hat on and go looking up where the original picture is hosted.

Just look at the shape of the door window and the B pillar.

 

[Dxbolton]

The roof looks very 911 in style.
I think the whole concept works very well

 

[Duncodin]

The roof looks very 911 in style.
I think the whole concept works very well

That's it! Been racking my brains. I'm thinking it's a 996 ?

 

[Jam03]

That's it! Been racking my brains. I'm thinking it's a 996 ?

Maybe 993 turbo, and a mash up with the rear wing

 

[Zephyr]

Don't need to put my detecting hat on and go looking up where the original picture is hosted.

Just look at the shape of the door window and the B pillar.

I am a tech guy, I have to make things complicated….

 

[Duncodin]

I am a tech guy, I have to make things complicated….

I 'was' a techguy - but I'm alright now.

 

[Duncodin]

In any case, I still kinda like the original OEM hardtop.

With a bit of 'shop' artistic licence.

or, more 'shop'?

 

[Richard29]

Salt water wont do the sills much good!

 

[IainP]

Googling for "Z3 Fastback Hardtop" and this pops up.

View attachment 247181

But I the site seems to be broken

Tha only problem with that is it’s a conversion, not a hardtop. The rear body is completely reprofiled from the standard shape.
It’s doable, either in metal integrated into the screen pillar, or, a rear composite re-body in one piece. Whichever, not cheap at all.
Making the tailgate would mean repurposing a rear screen from something, 350Z or Audi TT maybe. Not even sure how that would work with the partial bulkhead that’s already there.

 

[Dxbolton]

They make hardtops for Cobras, so it is possible. Not cheap though

https://www.totalheadturners.com/cars/427-hardtops/

 

[petecossie]

There is always this option

 

[Duncodin]

Tha only problem with that is it’s a conversion, not a hardtop. The rear body is completely reprofiled from the standard shape.
It’s doable, either in metal integrated into the screen pillar, or, a rear composite re-body in one piece. Whichever, not cheap at all.
Making the tailgate would mean repurposing a rear screen from something, 350Z or Audi TT maybe. Not even sure how that would work with the partial bulkhead that’s already there.

At the very top of this thread looks like somebody making a wire framework. Looking closely at that you can see how they intend doing the boot/hatch. Looks do-able. Would love to know whether they finished it.

Although. As I've said. I really like the OEM top.