Here is another try at a top for my Chesnut C5 car

[john chesnut]

The first attempt to mock up a hardtop for my car wasn't too good. So, I did another mock up. What do you think? It will have gull wing doors.The top is removable so that it can go from a Roadster/Speedster to enclosed in about 5 minutes. I like to drive my cars on long trips so a Top would be nice.

[mr bruce]

much better!

[Three Peaks]

John,
It looks a lot better but the front quartering shot just looks wrong, IMHO. I think with all the curves on the car body, the large flat expanse of window and almost square window frame just stands out like a sore thumb.
Same thing on the back of the top, the square end of the top stands out with all the curves in the fenders, etc.... Both ends need to be blended into the body somehow to continue those sexy curves the rest of the body has. Maybe the rear of the top can have extensions that tie into the top of the fenders or onto the deck lid between the fenders and "Wind deflectors" and the windshield frame could use more rounded corners at the top to mimic the shape of the body a bit?

Much better than the last unit.......

[john chesnut]

Thanks for the comments. I agree about needing to make the top more flowing, and the window opening less square. When I sculpt the actual top I will be able to do this. I wanted to get a quick idea and am pretty limited with what I can do with cardboard and duct tape!
The windshield is the same shape as the FF Daytona Coupe. It looks more rounded in person. I have been unable to find a windshield in the XKE shape I like that has similiar proportions. It isn't done yet and I will keep trying. I will drive the car mostly with the top off and the low wrap around windscreen. I drove my last car 33,000 miles in 18 months with out a Top or heater. I guess that I am getting older!

[1985 CCX]

John

Much improved...........Jeff

[mr bruce]

Try a Miata windshield, if it's too tall, you can waterjet a few inches off the top or botton , depending how it looks

[LodiWino]

John;

Beautiful lines! Try extending the headrest curvature into the removeable hardtop.

A shorter windshield would scale better, too.

Keep us posted...

[mickmate]

Hey John, that's a lot more in character with the car. I was wondering what those fairings do to it in the rain? Does the Cobra theory of just keep moving work or not much?

[Buzz]

The rear quarter view looks fantastic. As you say, a bit of sculpturing to integrate the finished top more with the curvy bodywork will make a huge difference. It would be nice if you can find a way to smooth the transition area between the rear section of the side window and the front part of the fairing without intruding into the cockpit space. Consider also a "Swiss knife" approach with a modular top assembly that can be used as a full top, a T top with the gullwing sections removed, or a totally open speedster with or without a wind break screen between the fairings.
I was not initially a big fan of the Dragons when they were first described as a rebodied Vette chassis that was going to destroy the Cobras at Run'n'Gun a few years ago, but becoming more familiar the product and the person behind it all has sure adjusted my attitude.
I recently had a few after tennis conversations with a player in the US automotive industry who feels strongly that regulatory pressures and their effect on production auto design will open the door for a resurgence in the custom car industry and what he said made a lot of sense.
Out of these bleak times, we may just see a custom car renaissance driven by a consumer demand for innovation, creativity and individualism that has been regulated out of the production car industry.

[john chesnut]

Thanks Buzz. I can assure you that I never made such a comment. I have so much respect for the Cobra, the Daytona, and the GT40. I love all of the cars. I wanted to pursue something that I had a hand in. My car is for a very few, it's not perfect. But, I keep trying.
The true spirit of this car is as an open air Speedster. I am forming the low wrap around side windows now. Just like the Cobra is usually driven with out a top so will mine. By the way it is 39 inches tall at the highest point of the top.

[Buzz]

No John, it was definitely not from you - it was more or less a heads up within the Cobra community about a new car that was light and fast that was going to be a real threat on the track and I took an early, uninformed position in reaction. Being more informed about the design and becoming familiar with you as the person behind the product, I have become a big fan and supporter.

[rustyBob]

John, I actually like both of the attempts to put a lid on your ride ....but have you considered a top like the Buick Riveria that maybe comes to a point at the rear or maybe even trails over the rear a little with a removeable top section like the Corvettes had?.

[john chesnut]

I originally wanted to incorporate the look of the 63 split window Vette. But, the width and the short rear deck keeps that from looking good. I am also trying to have simple way to close the car in while still keeping the double headfairings. It would be easier if I was just going to make a Coupe version. The biggest problem is that the body is lowered down around the engine. This is a feature of the Lister It's great for aerodynamics but it is difficult to keep the top from look way too tall.