Lemke Hardtop Group Buy. Anyone interested?

[TonyCool]

I bought a cf hardtop from Steve in March that he never got around finishing. I waited 6 months and was out 2500 dollars. He is a great guy and i would buy his top, but i need to see it built and ready to go. Im not bashing, im stating facts. My money was finally returned and as far as i know the top still isn't done.
If it is and the fittment is right, i would buy. I know there was issues the first time around, but it sounds like he got it fixed.

May be you should consider buying one form Steve Dreyer at Autoform with us.

I think Steve at Vipair does excellent work. There are several things in his website that interest me and his coupe rear end conversion package for the vert is nothing short from brilliant. I know of lots of people that have installed his stuff with no issues. Having said that it might be possible that his hardtop was not quite there yet in terms of fit and finish by the time you ordered it. I also remember a thread that got closed recently where someone was having issues to make it fit. I'm sure Vipair will fix any issues there are and it will be a great product. Also I'd like to disclosse that wikkid contacted me personally about this issue and restrained himself of publicly talk about the issue he had so I do believe he's sincere when saying he's not bashing anyone. I think he is just trying to avoid the same pain to other viper owners.

It would seem Steve Dreyer has been in the business for a long time and he loves his work, specially when it involves Vipers. His hardtop has been around for a long time it's SCCA approved and I think the following pic of Shandon's car speask for itself on how good this top looks like. If I didn't know better and this was the only picture I had ever seen of his car I would actually believe it's a coupe:

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[wikkid]

I had the wrong Steve, and i would be interested. I will follow this thread.

 

[Lespauldude]

Yes. What do you think?

Keep in mind that you would have to pay for the crate and shipping either way, so you would pay normal price + 100 (Crate) + Shipping. With the group buy you would be getting an arguably good discount on the hardtop. This is great if like me you were planning to buy it either way.

If you really want a hardtop I think you should join us. I tried to get a group buy going for a Lemke hardtop sometime ago and it just didn't worked out, even I wasn't sure at the time about getting it... But somehow now things are just working out and it looks like this group buy is actually happening. It looks like Moundir and Me are sure bets.

It's hard for a group buy to get going and you would save quite a few bucks to buy something you really want.

Come on join the dark side... (Never mind me, I just like saying that )

You boys can't go wrong with Steve's top. Like I said before, the work is exceptional and will bring your verts to a whole new level. I am 6'4" like Steve and I love the headroom it affords me. I STILL have to figure out where I'm going to mount the storage stand. I'll probably just leave the top on for the Winter and figure that out later on. In fact, I modified the HUGE wood shipping crate that it came in and it sits in my back yard as a locking garbage can shed (after painting it first). It holds 3 garbage cans. Can you tell that I throw NOTHING away?! As far as stripes, all Steve needs is for you to take measurements (stripe width/stripe distance from 2 areas - hood and rear deck). He truly nails the color match too.

Scott

 

[GTS-R 001]

I bought a cf hardtop from Steve in March that he never got around finishing. I waited 6 months and was out 2500 dollars. He is a great guy and i would buy his top, but i need to see it built and ready to go. Im not bashing, im stating facts. My money was finally returned and as far as i know the top still isn't done.
If it is and the fittment is right, i would buy. I know there was issues the first time around, but it sounds like he got it fixed.

My Tops are in a final revision cycle right now, I have taken the comments and such from the 3 that were sent out and I am making some unique changes to eliminate any and all issues. One thing you learn when you develop parts for Vipers is that what fits one, does not fit another. The Viper factory is learning this first hand now on GEN 5 production because for the first time they are trying to fit all NON FLEXIBLE panels to the new cars and they are having problems i.e. delays due to not getting things to fit.

The Autoform top is a good top, I had one for my 03 vert years ago.

Fitting a hardtop requires for the buyer to adjust the latches to fit the car, and it requires a top that takes into account the nuances of the Viper chassis, (no 2 are the same) I am fitting my latest tops to a number of cars to make up for any variances that are encountered

I will be offering them in fiberglass and in Carbon fiber, My tops are keeping the classic lines of the Metalcrafters Top as in my opinion it is the most aesthetically pleasing as it follows the lines of the soft top, here is a pic of a Metalcrafters Top from 2004. Metalcrafters shut down their division making these tops shortly after they made 2 samples, so they never went into production, but the lines of the top soon became a look we are all familiar with today.



I am currently researching what it takes for a hardtop for a vert to be SCCA approved or allowed, but from what I have found so far is that SCCA prefers to only certify hardtops that are OEM for racing and others usually require a roll bar and or to be attached with positive fasteners and not latches, i.e. bolted to the car so they do not fly off. (a tidbit that is important if you plan to track your car and not have any safety or liability issues).

None the less, I will have a few of mine out being tested by a few select individuals before I offer them up again so that I eliminate and foreseeable issues.

 

[flotter390]

I'm in for one.

 

[04MambaNYC]

Yes. What do you think?

Keep in mind that you would have to pay for the crate and shipping either way, so you would pay normal price + 100 (Crate) + Shipping. With the group buy you would be getting an arguably good discount on the hardtop. This is great if like me you were planning to buy it either way.

If you really want a hardtop I think you should join us. I tried to get a group buy going for a Lemke hardtop sometime ago and it just didn't worked out, even I wasn't sure at the time about getting it... But somehow now things are just working out and it looks like this group buy is actually happening. It looks like Moundir and Me are sure bets.

It's hard for a group buy to get going and you would save quite a few bucks to buy something you really want.

Come on join the dark side... (Never mind me, I just like saying that )

Here is the deal, I have spoken to Autoform regarding this top before and I was going to buy it a few months ago but I ran into issue with space plus now my garages is being rebuild so I might have more space there to put the top. When I spoke about getting this top the deal I was offered was 2495+100+Shipping, I just figured that the group buy would give a little bigger discount thats all. Either way I understand, Autoform has to make sure this is profitable for them.

 

[TonyCool]

Here is the deal, I have spoken to Autoform regarding this top before and I was going to buy it a few months ago but I ran into issue with space plus now my garages is being rebuild so I might have more space there to put the top. When I spoke about getting this top the deal I was offered was 2495+100+Shipping, I just figured that the group buy would give a little bigger discount thats all. Either way I understand, Autoform has to make sure this is profitable for them.

Honestly I'm not surprised Steve offered you a good price back then. Looks like the group buy price is still a hundred bucks less of what he offered you which is not bad. Especially if you were planning to buy one either way. I'm sure the amount of work that goes into each hardtop would explain why the difference in price is not incredibly large. Either way I'm buying mine, and it looks like other 2 people will go for it with me so if you want to save yourself a hundred buck you are more than welcome

 

[TonyCool]

I'm in for one.

Cool. I like your style very decisive.

 

[flotter390]

Cool. I like your style very decisive.

Thanks, I figure I'll save over $100,000 =

I want it painted with out decals or side windows = whoever they go with!!

Fred

 

[malcoll]

I think the lower lines of the Lemke and Vipair tops is more appealing.... if there is a way to fit a 6'3" person in there with a helmet ...it would be the perfect top from my perspective. I'd love to be a test car for you Steve.....but I am located in Florida...... Lance

 

[TonyCool]

Moundir, flotter390, sssammm, VicTxV10, 04MambaNYC

You have a PM.

 

[1buddyc]

Moundir, flotter390, sssammm, VicTxV10, 04MambaNYC

You have a PM.

Tony, add me to the list. I want one PAINTED in Viper Red for my '06, WITH the Black Wedge on the sides.

 

[wikkid]

What kind of timeline are we talking here, spring or earlier. Just trying to get a idea here..

 

[TonyCool]

What kind of timeline are we talking here, spring or earlier. Just trying to get a idea here..

Steve hasn't provided me with an exact timeline. He did tell me that although he's very happy to have our business doing this much work will take time and that we would need to exercise some patience. I don't think he will work on the tops serially but I'm sure given the size of his operation he can't make them all in parallel either.

If everything goes as planned the first top or two will go out for delivery shortly before/after Christmas and the rest will be delivered a few weeks later. It's difficult to give an exact worst case estimate as at this point we haven't even placed the orders and we don't know how many orders will be placed in the end. As of right now there are 3 people that have confirmed they are in and ready to order and there is at least 4 other people including you that seem very interested. I don't know if there is a maximum number of Orders Steve is willing to take... Once I get confirmation from one more person. All orders will be placed and I would assume a first come first served mechanism will apply. I'd think it's only fair that the first people that confirmed and made the group buy possible get their top first.

Once the orders have been placed I will post in here as that happens in case someone else wants in. In case more than 4 tops are ordered. I'd leave to Steve the right to refuse to take any more orders, or to warn people they are last in the queue and their tops will take longer to make and be delivered at the moment of placing the order. Having said that and considering how difficult it has been to get this going I don't think there will be more than 5 tops ordered so probably it won't be that bad. I'd assume if that's the case all tops would be delivered at least a few weeks before spring. Don't quote me on that one though...

Tony

 

[SFViper]

I'm also interested but does anyone have any idea how much shipping would be? I assume it's going freight?

 

[flotter390]

What kind of timeline are we talking here, spring or earlier. Just trying to get a idea here..

I just placed my order, time line - 6-7 weeks for me!!

Fred

 

[flotter390]

What kind of timeline are we talking here, spring or earlier. Just trying to get a idea here..

Also the time line will not be as long as it takes the ATF to do form 3 transfer!!!

Fred

 

[viperJ]

Interested as well!

 

[TonyCool]

I wanted to update this to let you all this group buy is a go. Three orders have been placed and a forth one will be placed soon. I anyone else wants in all you need to do at this point is call Steve and place your order.

Autoform Development

Tel: (616)392-4909
Fax: (616)392-3323
email: [email protected]
Web: www.autoformgroup.com

Cheers,

Tony

 

[viperman4125]

Thanks for the Info. Talked with Steve, will order one soon.!

 

[sssammm]

Getting close guys........

 

[viper04]

How close weeks days? would like to see it when it's done.

 

[CaptainDavid]

I'm interested, very. I had a Autoform on my 04 Mamba and loved it.

 

[sssammm]

Just to wet your appetite, mines nearly ready....

 

[sssammm]

Mines been in the UK a week, still sitting in the customs warehouse!!! might get it just in time for summer!

 

[Rads]

I ordered a Hardtop from Autoform. At time of order they told me 4-6 weeks, it ended up taking 4 months, which was fine becasue I ordered it over they winter. Oh, they also built the WRONG roof for me...

I asked for one without the side depression, with clear emails and confirmation. My heart sunk when I opened up that crate. Shipping to Canada was insane and a big hassle with quotes coming in as high as $1800 so I ended up having it sent to the border for personal pickup. Sending it back was not really something I wanted to deal with. I asked for compensation originally for some glasswork/painting to fill in the depression at a trusted shop of mine, but I was in waiting to get the car/roof vinyl wrapped so I jsut went ahead with that and we agreed on a free set of canards that they were developing. We emailed back and forth on that for 6 months and I gave up.

Put the roof on the car and it had about a 1in gap on one side at the door window and the weather seals dont really accept the window properly on either side. Tried adjusting it out and gave up. It leaks like crazy. There seems to be a lot of adjustment, but I'm not sure I can take out all lop-sided gaps. It also seems to shift around a lot. This may also be the car as I hear they can vary greatly from one to the next, but the soft top is 100% perfect fit with no leakage at all. The latch mechanism is a flimsly piece that looks like it came straight out of an Acklands catalogue and the headliner is starting to peel off in the rear. The rear plastic/glass looks like a flawed peice that is permanently foggy/blothcy.

I paid ~$3200 USD all said and done for a painted version, not including picking it up in the US myself (but I had business in the area, so that worked out anyways). Honestly, Steve was not rude or disrespectfull at all during this, and took ownership of building the wrong roof. But I think they just understaffed and I was put at low priority. Follow up was poor and I would go weeks without replies to emails. I had to phone in to reception a few times to get updates, especially in the beginning after putting $2000USD up front over the phone and having no replies for weeks. Also, after asking a few times I never got a reciept for the deposit. I know Autoform is a trusted company in the community, but I was getting a little nervous at that point.

So ya, thats my experience with Autoform. In the end I got my roof and it has some fit/finish issues I wouldnt expect for a $3K product. It looks pretty sharp though. Probalby wont order any more Aero stuff from there, but they got the market wrapped up if you want a hardtop you can fit a helmet under, and I will say between it and the seat lowring there is miles of helmet room.

 

[viperman4125]

Well I have to say That I bought a very nice Spoiler from Steve, It was over the holidays , and took a little bit longer, however, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!!, nO HURRY ON QUALITY. If iI can sell my other Mopar hardtop, I will buy one from Steve,.. Sorry for you propblems,.Never saw one in person ( hardtop ) look great on the photos!

I ordered a Hardtop from Autoform. At time of order they told me 4-6 weeks, it ended up taking 4 months, which was fine becasue I ordered it over they winter. Oh, they also built the WRONG roof for me...

I asked for one without the side depression, with clear emails and confirmation. My heart sunk when I opened up that crate. Shipping to Canada was insane and a big hassle with quotes coming in as high as $1800 so I ended up having it sent to the border for personal pickup. Sending it back was not really something I wanted to deal with. I asked for compensation originally for some glasswork/painting to fill in the depression at a trusted shop of mine, but I was in waiting to get the car/roof vinyl wrapped so I jsut went ahead with that and we agreed on a free set of canards that they were developing. We emailed back and forth on that for 6 months and I gave up.

Put the roof on the car and it had about a 1in gap on one side at the door window and the weather seals dont really accept the window properly on either side. Tried adjusting it out and gave up. It leaks like crazy. There seems to be a lot of adjustment, but I'm not sure I can take out all lop-sided gaps. It also seems to shift around a lot. This may also be the car as I hear they can vary greatly from one to the next, but the soft top is 100% perfect fit with no leakage at all. The latch mechanism is a flimsly piece that looks like it came straight out of an Acklands catalogue and the headliner is starting to peel off in the rear. The rear plastic/glass looks like a flawed peice that is permanently foggy/blothcy.

I paid ~$3200 USD all said and done for a painted version, not including picking it up in the US myself (but I had business in the area, so that worked out anyways). Honestly, Steve was not rude or disrespectfull at all during this, and took ownership of building the wrong roof. But I think they just understaffed and I was put at low priority. Follow up was poor and I would go weeks without replies to emails. I had to phone in to reception a few times to get updates, especially in the beginning after putting $2000USD up front over the phone and having no replies for weeks. Also, after asking a few times I never got a reciept for the deposit. I know Autoform is a trusted company in the community, but I was getting a little nervous at that point.

So ya, thats my experience with Autoform. In the end I got my roof and it has some fit/finish issues I wouldnt expect for a $3K product. It looks pretty sharp though. Probalby wont order any more Aero stuff from there, but they got the market wrapped up if you want a hardtop you can fit a helmet under, and I will say between it and the seat lowring there is miles of helmet room.

 

[Rads]

I just want to chime in again and say that Steve from Autoform has reached out with genuine concern. He is offering detailed help to ensure that the roof is adjusted for fitment. Hopefully with his help I can straighten out the gaps and leak issues. He is also offering to pick up where we left off on the canards. I am away for business right now, but when I'm back and had a chance to follow his lead on setting up the roof I will report back.

 

[flotter390]

Put my new top on today with the help of my 2 sons. Took about 20 minutes.

Took the car out for a test ride - had it up to about 80 mph -

No shakes no rattles no noise - Now we have to wait for rain!!!

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Fred

 

[PeterMJ]

Is the gap on top of the quarer panel toward the door intentional part of the design? There seems to be quite a few gaps in the seals, you may want to rethink driving in the rain? The top looks great otherwise.

Put my new top on today with the help of my 2 sons. Took about 20 minutes.

Took the car out for a test ride - had it up to about 80 mph -

No shakes no rattles no noise - Now we have to wait for rain!!!

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Fred