Retractable hard top

[JeTexas]

I have a 996, so obviously there's no space for a hard top in the trunk, but having a trunk on the Boxsters, I'm suprised that nobody's engineered a retractable hard top. It would take some refabrication of the clamshell and trunk link, so that it was one piece and hinged from the rear, but I think it would be fairly simple to engineer a manual version. The workings of a Mercedes SLK could probably even be re-appropriated and adapted to make it automatic.

Of course, I've never really looked closely in the trunk/rear of a Boxster, so this might be way more complicated than I'm thinking.

Would anybody be interested in this kind of mod? I'm in the middle of Shelby Cobra build right now, but keep thinking of toying around with an old Boxster when it's finished.

[juniinc]

great idea! JeT. I've thought about this too,,,but not too practical($$$$$$$$$)

It would have to be some radical modification.

when our rag-top folds , due to the design of 986's clam shell it has to be folded thin being on top of the engine cover & rear storage compartment.

I'm sure being a retractable hard top, it will require a much thicker folded top(metal) + more depth.

Hey anything is possible, perhaps with a higher clam shell(modified speed hump?)?

[JeTexas]

It wouldn't necessarily have to be much taller. Once the trunk lid and clamshell are combined the top could fold in two or three pieces and sit somewhat vertically in the trunk area. Just depends on the ingenuity used when designing the hinges and folding.

[Bill_SoCal]

Cool thought :lightbulb: I imagine a few $$$'s. I like the old ragtop look myself...

Bill B)

[jmatta]

Way too much weight in exactly the wrong place., for starters.

[juniinc]

+1 like my rag top especially when its raining

Cool thought :lightbulb: I imagine a few $$$'s. I like the old ragtop look myself...

Bill B)

[geoff]

Sounds like it would almost be the best of the Boxster and Cayman worlds. Only problem I see is that the folding hard tops take up a lot more space than soft tops. If you look at some of the Mercedes sports cars with the folding hard roof, there's hardly any room left in the trunk with the top folded, whereas the current Boxster top takes away no trunk space. As others have noted, the folding hard tops also add to weight, hurting performance

[phillipj]

The entire design could be fabricated in Titanium and Carbon fiber.. Since Honda left Formula One maybe they have some left over they would be willing to part with. :clapping: :jump: :jump: :jump:

[70Sixter]

My simple solution is to hang the hard top on the garage wall. :D

[aron in toronto]

Porsche did develop a folding hard top assembly and was joint owner with Mercedes Benz of CTS (Convtertible Top Systems) who produces the tops for the Boxster, the Carrera and the folding hardtop for Mercedes. CTS is now owned by Magna International.

I would guess that Porsche didn't go with the folding hardtop for weight and cost issues.

There have been patent drawings for Porsche's folding hardtop floating around on the net.