Retractable Hardtop ?
#1
I was having an interesting conversation about this on the site & wanted to see what others think. Although Ford may never build one due to cost of manufacturing & the limited amount of consumers that would probably be able to afford it. I thought it would be nice to see... Even maybe as a limited edition. What do you think? What are the possibilities???? Comments are welcome.
#4
Originally posted by holderca1@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
#5
Originally posted by slegos888+December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (slegos888 @ December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-holderca1@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
#6
Originally posted by holderca1+December 14, 2004, 1:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (holderca1 @ December 14, 2004, 1:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Originally posted by slegos888@December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
#7
holdeca1, the G6 is gonna have a retractable hardtop version, definetly not my definition of a "high end car". But to answer the original question, why bother with a retractable hardtop mustang?
FORD, GIVE US A TARGA
FORD, GIVE US A TARGA
#8
Originally posted by AnotherMustangMan@December 14, 2004, 1:47 PM
holdeca1, the G6 is gonna have a retractable hardtop version, definetly not my definition of a "high end car". But to answer the original question, why bother with a retractable hardtop mustang?
FORD, GIVE US A TARGA
holdeca1, the G6 is gonna have a retractable hardtop version, definetly not my definition of a "high end car". But to answer the original question, why bother with a retractable hardtop mustang?
FORD, GIVE US A TARGA
#9
Originally posted by lucky lou@December 14, 2004, 11:45 AM
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
#10
Originally posted by lucky lou+December 14, 2004, 1:45 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (lucky lou @ December 14, 2004, 1:45 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
Originally posted by holderca1@December 14, 2004, 1:42 PM
Originally posted by slegos888@December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
That depends, if the hardtop version looked exactly like the coupe with the top up, then yes, otherwise no.
#11
Here in Europe it's RHT bonanza right now:
Currently:
- Peugeot 206
- Peugeot 307
- Renault Megane
- Opel Tigra
Coming within the next 2 years:
- Citroen C4
- Volkswagen Golf
- Ford Focus
- Opel Astra
- Nissan Micra
- Renault Clio
- Volvo C50
All cars far under the luxury segment. Here's my Renault Mégane:
I wouldn't be surprised if Newport Convertible Engineering were to develop a custom Mustang RHT. They already did it for the Crossfire:
Currently:
- Peugeot 206
- Peugeot 307
- Renault Megane
- Opel Tigra
Coming within the next 2 years:
- Citroen C4
- Volkswagen Golf
- Ford Focus
- Opel Astra
- Nissan Micra
- Renault Clio
- Volvo C50
All cars far under the luxury segment. Here's my Renault Mégane:
I wouldn't be surprised if Newport Convertible Engineering were to develop a custom Mustang RHT. They already did it for the Crossfire:
#12
Originally posted by holderca1+December 14, 2004, 3:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (holderca1 @ December 14, 2004, 3:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
Originally posted by lucky lou@December 14, 2004, 1:45 PM
Originally posted by holderca1@December 14, 2004, 1:42 PM
Originally posted by slegos888@December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
Given the enormous size of the rear window and roof, it would probably not look quite the same....
#14
I presume you meant for the Mustang...
Perhaps for some other Fords, sure, but I think for the Stang, that would represent too much weight, cost and complexity not directly associated with vehicle performance. That's not to mention what it does to luggage space, which the Stang doesn't have an excess to start with (always wish they went with a hatchback like the first gen Foxes).
High quality cloth tops can be very good indeed and I think a better match for what the Mustang is.
Perhaps for some other Fords, sure, but I think for the Stang, that would represent too much weight, cost and complexity not directly associated with vehicle performance. That's not to mention what it does to luggage space, which the Stang doesn't have an excess to start with (always wish they went with a hatchback like the first gen Foxes).
High quality cloth tops can be very good indeed and I think a better match for what the Mustang is.
#15
Originally posted by rhumb@December 14, 2004, 3:45 PM
High quality cloth tops can be very good indeed and I think a better match for what the Mustang is.
High quality cloth tops can be very good indeed and I think a better match for what the Mustang is.
EDIT: not sure you could get the roofline even with a retractable hard top
#18
Originally posted by holderca1+December 14, 2004, 3:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (holderca1 @ December 14, 2004, 3:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
Originally posted by lucky lou@December 14, 2004, 1:45 PM
Originally posted by holderca1@December 14, 2004, 1:42 PM
Originally posted by slegos888@December 14, 2004, 1:39 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
<!--QuoteBegin-holderca1
@December 14, 2004, 1:35 PM
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
Considering that the only cars with a retractable hard top are Mercedes, Lexus, ect... Even high end cars like the Boxster and TT don't have hard tops.
considering all that..??....what is your answer :scratch:
Mine already has a hard top. It just doesn't retract.
but if a retractable hardtop was available when you went to purchase --- which would you get?
IMO technology has no bounds... so I leave the challenge to the minds of the engineer's. B) but I tell you this.. with what's already out there on the market I would love to see Ford enter into the game. I love the fact that they took today's vision & merged it with a style from 40 years ago. I love it beause the result of that is sitting in my driveway. But I believe in progression... & to keep people interested you have to give them something impressive. I hope Ford keeps us impressed by keeping it simple yet exploring everything technology has to offer.
#20
This has been discussed before,
I REALLY doubt that it could be done on the Mustang and keep it affordable.
The only way I could see something like this happen on the Mustang is if Ford develops another car with the feature on the S197 chassis and adapts it to the Mustang. Even if they did that, I don't think it will be able to replace the convertible in the lineup, but perhaps be a high-end special model.
I REALLY doubt that it could be done on the Mustang and keep it affordable.
The only way I could see something like this happen on the Mustang is if Ford develops another car with the feature on the S197 chassis and adapts it to the Mustang. Even if they did that, I don't think it will be able to replace the convertible in the lineup, but perhaps be a high-end special model.