thats very close to how I wood of done the tops. now you can see way I told you to get that cheep white solstice that was neer you 
. how many did they make? are you getting the molds?
. how many did they make? are you getting the molds?
Two piece prototype Collins and Aikman Dura hardtop
Starting a new thread here regarding this unique top i just acquired thanks to Choptop's FB link and some gentle prodding from 4501Safari (Richard).
Let start with the information from the seller.
-Seller's company specializes in liquidating industrial warehouse when companies go bankrupt.
-Around '08 or '09 they were contracted to liquidate 17 of the Collins and Aikman Factories. Two of those factories were known as Dura Convertible Top.
-Dura apparently had a "North" and a "South" plant.
-When they originally acquired this prototype two piece hard top it was on a functional mock up with electrical actuators that allowed it to be demonstrated as a functional hard top.
Guessing here:
I suppose Collins and Aikman being the softop manufacturer for GM for the convertible Kappa's make this not quite a genuine GM part, but I would assume a prototype they had put together to pitch to GM as an aftermarket option, or possibly an official GM option had it not all gone belly up with the loss of Pontiac and Saturn.
One of the tings that makes this hard top unique is that it is the only one i have seen (outside of Nankoo's one off artistry ones) that allow you to open the trunk with the top still on.
I just closed the deal with the seller and do not have it yet however i wanted to post all the photos i have on it as of this moment.
Feel free to ruminate and speculate below.
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Let start with the information from the seller.
-Seller's company specializes in liquidating industrial warehouse when companies go bankrupt.
-Around '08 or '09 they were contracted to liquidate 17 of the Collins and Aikman Factories. Two of those factories were known as Dura Convertible Top.
-Dura apparently had a "North" and a "South" plant.
-When they originally acquired this prototype two piece hard top it was on a functional mock up with electrical actuators that allowed it to be demonstrated as a functional hard top.
Guessing here:
I suppose Collins and Aikman being the softop manufacturer for GM for the convertible Kappa's make this not quite a genuine GM part, but I would assume a prototype they had put together to pitch to GM as an aftermarket option, or possibly an official GM option had it not all gone belly up with the loss of Pontiac and Saturn.
One of the tings that makes this hard top unique is that it is the only one i have seen (outside of Nankoo's one off artistry ones) that allow you to open the trunk with the top still on.
I just closed the deal with the seller and do not have it yet however i wanted to post all the photos i have on it as of this moment.
Feel free to ruminate and speculate below.
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No molds just whats in the pictures. Supposedly the parts for the finished functioning prototype is all that is leftthats very close to how I wood of done the tops. now you can see way I told you to get that cheep white solstice that was neer you
Absolutely on the dual application, and we know Sky people love this kind of stuff. Not to mention a bunch of us Solstice people who know what's going to happen down the road with no tops available and NO hardtop option in the universe...
I don't know Norm's motivation but it maybe if enough of us showed a real interest and commitment to spend the money, he might actually make a modest profit. It appears to be a lot more simple to produce and mount than his "Coupe Top" (which I would never consider for many reasons) or the defunct Smoothline products of never ending fitment problems, for the new owner of a new or used Smoothline top. (Speaking from personal experience on that kept me from buying one)
I am willing to send Norm a letter of request and intent if HH so desires and welcome suggestions how we may handle the wording of such. I think this has potential!
Well done indeed.
Richard Snipes
Not to mention a bunch of us Solstice people who know what's going to happen down the road with no tops available and NO hardtop option in the universe...I don't know Norm's motivation but it maybe if enough of us showed a real interest and commitment to spend the money, he might actually make a modest profit. It appears to be a lot more simple to produce and mount than his "Coupe Top" (which I would never consider for many reasons) or the defunct Smoothline products of never ending fitment problems, for the new owner of a new or used Smoothline top. (Speaking from personal experience on that kept me from buying one)
I am willing to send Norm a letter of request and intent if HH so desires and welcome suggestions how we may handle the wording of such. I think this has potential!
Well done indeed.
Richard Snipes
Florida? You shipping it to me? Here's information on Norm...
Send cards and letter to:
Norm's Fiberglass Design Studio
1120 Division St. #10
Mishawaka, IN 46545
emails and pleading phone calls:
[email protected]
(574) 255-7843
There is always hope and not doing anything will always not get you anything.
Richard
Here's information on Norm...Send cards and letter to:
Norm's Fiberglass Design Studio
1120 Division St. #10
Mishawaka, IN 46545
emails and pleading phone calls:
[email protected]
(574) 255-7843
There is always hope and not doing anything will always not get you anything.
Richard
There currently are no hard top options for a GXP.
EDIT/Correction Norm emailed me today to say he actually does still make his coupe top for the solstice!
Smooth line is gone and Norm only ever made a few of his hardtops for the Solstice before discontinuing them.
i am sure the quantity demand would be low, however Norm makes his by hand and quantity has not been his thing.
Since this is a one off prototype from a long bankrupt company, legally i don't see an issue.
Heck i know Norm’s skill level is so high he probably doesn't even need it to make one..
And if he did, his would probably be better
EDIT/Correction Norm emailed me today to say he actually does still make his coupe top for the solstice!
Smooth line is gone and Norm only ever made a few of his hardtops for the Solstice before discontinuing them.
i am sure the quantity demand would be low, however Norm makes his by hand and quantity has not been his thing.
Since this is a one off prototype from a long bankrupt company, legally i don't see an issue.
Heck i know Norm’s skill level is so high he probably doesn't even need it to make one..
And if he did, his would probably be better
1 - 20 of 326 Posts
