I found the Saratoga Sunroof guy. Any interest in NEW Saratogas?
10-20-2007, 04:25 AM
#95
Billowing in the Wind
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10-20-2007, 10:39 AM
#96
Racer
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I would pay $500. but I already have one. It is the best upgrade for a 944. It really lights up the interior without any extra heat. the saratoga has a mirror tint and looks great (from within and outside).
10-22-2007, 10:25 PM
#97
Billowing in the Wind
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FRENCH GUARD:
Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he'll be very keen. Uh, he's already got one, you see.
ARTHUR:
What?
GALAHAD:
He says they've already got one!
ARTHUR:
Are you sure he's got one?
FRENCH GUARD:
Oh, yes. It's very nice-a. (I told him we already got one.)
FRENCH GUARDS:
[chuckling]
Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he'll be very keen. Uh, he's already got one, you see.
ARTHUR:
What?
GALAHAD:
He says they've already got one!
ARTHUR:
Are you sure he's got one?
FRENCH GUARD:
Oh, yes. It's very nice-a. (I told him we already got one.)
FRENCH GUARDS:
[chuckling]
10-23-2007, 06:03 AM
#100
Drifting
Thread Starter
10-23-2007, 10:30 AM
#101
Here's the original ad
This was published in Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories from the Summer of 1986.
Their phone number at that time was 213-657-4800.
http://corp.hudsonss.net/~rickb/Pers...aratogaTop.bmp
My scanner produced a poor image, but it is readable.
The Saratoga Top is on the bottom row, 2nd from the left side.
Their phone number at that time was 213-657-4800.
http://corp.hudsonss.net/~rickb/Pers...aratogaTop.bmp
My scanner produced a poor image, but it is readable.
The Saratoga Top is on the bottom row, 2nd from the left side.
10-23-2007, 11:09 AM
#102
Billowing in the Wind
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I'll be going to the fabricator on tuesday of next week. Does anyone have a sunroof just laying around that they can spare? I'll be sure to get it back to you unharmed. I will pay for shipping.
10-23-2007, 12:40 PM
#103
Rennlist Member
That ad says tempered glass, but most of the people here have said it was lexan (plastic). Was it both?
Also, the original price was $600 in 1986 - in today's dollars, that's $1,084. Even with Rick's friend make blanks and then the rest is DIY, $400 a roof might not be possible.
At a minimum, for the electric roof, you'll need the rear guides (944 564 161 00 and 944 564 162 00) at $25 each, and the front latches (477 871 217) at somewhere between $63 and $181 each (Pelican has 3 versions listed). You also need the front center tab that presses the micro switch (944 564 223 00) which is $22. Of course you'll need some mounting hardware and some kind of stand-off to space the front latches away from the new panel so the wind deflector has a place to nest.
That will probably be about $250 worth of parts.
I don't know what the raw material cost of the lexan will be, but I think a 1/4" thick 4'x8' sheet of clear is about $300.
It will also take some minimal tooling to make the panel blanks. Because of the curve of the roof, to do it right, a simple form needs to be made. The lexan can be heated up, then placed on the curved "tool" (perhaps an old sunroof), and the curve will be formed.
I'd have to say, absolutely best case scenario would be that you could pull this off for maybe $500 a roof - but that would require several hours of DIY time to make the final fit perfect, drill holes for the mounting hardware and the assembly. Realistically, I think it will be more.
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I just think some people are quick to overlook some of the steps required in manufacturing and production.
Personally, I think this should proceed forward, but people have to raise their expectations a little bit. What I don't want to see is Rick's supplier coming back saying it will be $300 or $400 or more per panel, then have everyone upset and back out of this awesome project.
Let's face it, things aren't cheap for these cars. It costs me over $500 to change front pads and rotors - and those will be used up in short order!
Also, the original price was $600 in 1986 - in today's dollars, that's $1,084. Even with Rick's friend make blanks and then the rest is DIY, $400 a roof might not be possible.
At a minimum, for the electric roof, you'll need the rear guides (944 564 161 00 and 944 564 162 00) at $25 each, and the front latches (477 871 217) at somewhere between $63 and $181 each (Pelican has 3 versions listed). You also need the front center tab that presses the micro switch (944 564 223 00) which is $22. Of course you'll need some mounting hardware and some kind of stand-off to space the front latches away from the new panel so the wind deflector has a place to nest.
That will probably be about $250 worth of parts.
I don't know what the raw material cost of the lexan will be, but I think a 1/4" thick 4'x8' sheet of clear is about $300.
It will also take some minimal tooling to make the panel blanks. Because of the curve of the roof, to do it right, a simple form needs to be made. The lexan can be heated up, then placed on the curved "tool" (perhaps an old sunroof), and the curve will be formed.
I'd have to say, absolutely best case scenario would be that you could pull this off for maybe $500 a roof - but that would require several hours of DIY time to make the final fit perfect, drill holes for the mounting hardware and the assembly. Realistically, I think it will be more.
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I just think some people are quick to overlook some of the steps required in manufacturing and production.
Personally, I think this should proceed forward, but people have to raise their expectations a little bit. What I don't want to see is Rick's supplier coming back saying it will be $300 or $400 or more per panel, then have everyone upset and back out of this awesome project.
Let's face it, things aren't cheap for these cars. It costs me over $500 to change front pads and rotors - and those will be used up in short order!
10-23-2007, 01:54 PM
#104
Hey Man
Rennlist Member
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That ad says tempered glass, but most of the people here have said it was lexan (plastic). Was it both?
Also, the original price was $600 in 1986 - in today's dollars, that's $1,084. Even with Rick's friend make blanks and then the rest is DIY, $400 a roof might not be possible.
At a minimum, for the electric roof, you'll need the rear guides (944 564 161 00 and 944 564 162 00) at $25 each, and the front latches (477 871 217) at somewhere between $63 and $181 each (Pelican has 3 versions listed). You also need the front center tab that presses the micro switch (944 564 223 00) which is $22. Of course you'll need some mounting hardware and some kind of stand-off to space the front latches away from the new panel so the wind deflector has a place to nest.
That will probably be about $250 worth of parts.
I don't know what the raw material cost of the lexan will be, but I think a 1/4" thick 4'x8' sheet of clear is about $300.
It will also take some minimal tooling to make the panel blanks. Because of the curve of the roof, to do it right, a simple form needs to be made. The lexan can be heated up, then placed on the curved "tool" (perhaps an old sunroof), and the curve will be formed.
I'd have to say, absolutely best case scenario would be that you could pull this off for maybe $500 a roof - but that would require several hours of DIY time to make the final fit perfect, drill holes for the mounting hardware and the assembly. Realistically, I think it will be more.
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I just think some people are quick to overlook some of the steps required in manufacturing and production.
Personally, I think this should proceed forward, but people have to raise their expectations a little bit. What I don't want to see is Rick's supplier coming back saying it will be $300 or $400 or more per panel, then have everyone upset and back out of this awesome project.
Also, the original price was $600 in 1986 - in today's dollars, that's $1,084. Even with Rick's friend make blanks and then the rest is DIY, $400 a roof might not be possible.
At a minimum, for the electric roof, you'll need the rear guides (944 564 161 00 and 944 564 162 00) at $25 each, and the front latches (477 871 217) at somewhere between $63 and $181 each (Pelican has 3 versions listed). You also need the front center tab that presses the micro switch (944 564 223 00) which is $22. Of course you'll need some mounting hardware and some kind of stand-off to space the front latches away from the new panel so the wind deflector has a place to nest.
That will probably be about $250 worth of parts.
I don't know what the raw material cost of the lexan will be, but I think a 1/4" thick 4'x8' sheet of clear is about $300.
It will also take some minimal tooling to make the panel blanks. Because of the curve of the roof, to do it right, a simple form needs to be made. The lexan can be heated up, then placed on the curved "tool" (perhaps an old sunroof), and the curve will be formed.
I'd have to say, absolutely best case scenario would be that you could pull this off for maybe $500 a roof - but that would require several hours of DIY time to make the final fit perfect, drill holes for the mounting hardware and the assembly. Realistically, I think it will be more.
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I just think some people are quick to overlook some of the steps required in manufacturing and production.
Personally, I think this should proceed forward, but people have to raise their expectations a little bit. What I don't want to see is Rick's supplier coming back saying it will be $300 or $400 or more per panel, then have everyone upset and back out of this awesome project.
10-23-2007, 02:18 PM
#105
Pro
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Rick just a thought to help this become a reality since price is a big part of the equation. As a way to keep things simple and cost down for your guy, would we want to consider window films?
Could quality window tinting films (like 3M Scotchtint) be used (on acrylic) as a way to deal with interior heat etc? The range of tints and performance of these products nowadays is pretty impressive. There are clear films that provide 100% uv blocking and they are also available in a wide range of tints/shades, from clear to dark smoke to silver/gold mirrored.
If this becomes more of a DIY project, where we install our own hardware and gasket etc, we could look into doing a GB on tinting film (or leave it to the indivdual to purchse what they want). Like that everybody could end up with the roof color of their choice and we would only need to have your guy cut the panels out of clear material.
Just something to maybe discuss with him.
And I would also prefer the electric roof.
Thanks for trying to make this happen.
Could quality window tinting films (like 3M Scotchtint) be used (on acrylic) as a way to deal with interior heat etc? The range of tints and performance of these products nowadays is pretty impressive. There are clear films that provide 100% uv blocking and they are also available in a wide range of tints/shades, from clear to dark smoke to silver/gold mirrored.
If this becomes more of a DIY project, where we install our own hardware and gasket etc, we could look into doing a GB on tinting film (or leave it to the indivdual to purchse what they want). Like that everybody could end up with the roof color of their choice and we would only need to have your guy cut the panels out of clear material.
Just something to maybe discuss with him.
And I would also prefer the electric roof.
Thanks for trying to make this happen.
