Gents,

Ive been taking a lot of pain medicine recently due to a lower back injury and in my fever dreams, i really wanted a hard top convertible shell that we can add to our beautiful LC's. It would be nice to have the option for a "coupe" look when you want it.

I guess it would be implemented in the same guise as the old porsche boxster hardtops / merc R129 hardtops where you would lower the top, and then throw this manual hardtop shell yourself. Not sure how it would latch or the engineering of it, but it would be an interesting project.

If you guys have any ideas or fabricators who would like to pursue something like this, i think we can probably crowd fund the project. Post any ideas here!.

 

Cool idea. A custom hardtop for the LC would be a massive and expensive project.

The biggest hurdle is designing a secure latching system that doesn't rely on the factory soft top mechanisms. You'd need a dedicated frame and mounting points.

Your best bet is to find a specialty fabricator who works with high-end cars or race car composites. They could build a one-off, but expect a five-figure price tag. Crowdfunding would be tough for such a niche item.

 

Take a look at the Mazda Miata from the 90's they had a soft top and a hardtop option that mounted with separate latching system. I had one with both tops and biggest problem is where to store the hardtop. Ended up with pulley system in the garage ceiling to lift and store it.
Glenn

 

Storage is a big issue for the shell as stated, as well as, probably a two-person team to make exchanges (likely). Familiar with the pully-system option (most will want this) from prior experience with a Jeep Wrangler w/ hard and soft top option. The engineering/design to create that option on our LC with minimal issues is enormous. Afraid at the end of the day you will settle on just one configuration for the duration of ownership. With the resources involved and hassle, I'd advise owning both vert and coupe instead.

Edit: Pain meds and fever dreams perhaps?

 

yeah the more i look into it, the more it seems unfeasible (but nevertheless cool!). The latching system on the A pillar should be doable given some engineering, but the lack of any rear latching point behind the seat/rear window would make it basically wobble around (sitting purely on its own weight, and held by the meagre A pillar latches).

Too bad, i really like the idea of having that flexibility.