I don’t have a top for my car – never plan on driving it in the rain, frankly. I take it out on nice days for a few hours and bring it back. I have no use for the windows.
I pulled the window frames to prep the car for paint, and I’m wondering if I really need to put the window frames back in at all.
Can I just fabricate a sleeve that will cover the window channel and call it a day? I wonder if I can mount the door hardware without the frame…
chris
Morgan ( www.morgansegal.com ) aka MoPho
did just as you are proposing with his S3 DHC and he has no complaints. I think that Morgan glassed the tops of the doors closed but maybe he just made a cap to fit over the top, its been a few years since I have seen the Elan and I don’t remember. I did not put the windows back in my S2 after I rebuilt it 10 years ago.
Gary
It looks like you own an S4.
All of the door latch opening / closing mechanism is fitted to the rear part of the frame.
I suppose you could reproduce this part of the frame in appropriate sheet metal with the welded on nuts etc.
Cheers
John
I have built my S3 without the window frames and glass, etc. I didn’t like the look of the frames. plus weight and complexity eliminated. I fabricated the door latch component that comes with the frame (not difficult) and also made a foam amd vinyl covered cap form the window slot.
Like you, I don’t go out in the rain and don’t have a functional top.