Goatman
Viper Owner
This looks damn good. Just do me one favor and put some air in that tire 
RT10 hardtop market
- Thread starter Jmch
- Start date
VenomGTR
Viper Owner
I'm feeling this top. Good job to AF for making this happen. Anticipating the final outcome.
aviatorone
Enthusiast
I like it, I can't wait to see the finished product......get busy! : )
What I liked about the AF tops, were the A pillars and the 4 extra inches of side window height. It looked like a non removeable double bubble hard top!
I hope this one will have that extra side window space... Good luck!!
What I liked about the AF tops, were the A pillars and the 4 extra inches of side window height. It looked like a non removeable double bubble hard top!
I hope this one will have that extra side window space... Good luck!!
Help wanted... I need a volunteer with a second Gen Rt10 that would be willing to let Steve and I do some test fitment with the new top due to a few minor differences between the generations. We are hoping for someone as close to Holland MI as possible. It will be soon so send me a PM or just post on here. someone start the ball rolling...
thanks
J
thanks
J
Evening J
Your looking for Gen 2 correct?
We have a Gen 1 and would love to get a better top. The items we'd like are:
good looking, NO leaking, no squeaking (AF don't leak according to owners, but they have noise at the rear pins) windows that open (more than the cloth zip open a small space) and the ability to take it on a trip to keep dry/sun from baking you on long trips but then remove it at will.
Thanks for the efforts. I've been pushing to buy an AutoForm after getting wet enough times. But a new/improved product that won't break the bank is worth waiting for.
Your looking for Gen 2 correct?
We have a Gen 1 and would love to get a better top. The items we'd like are:
good looking, NO leaking, no squeaking (AF don't leak according to owners, but they have noise at the rear pins) windows that open (more than the cloth zip open a small space) and the ability to take it on a trip to keep dry/sun from baking you on long trips but then remove it at will.
Thanks for the efforts. I've been pushing to buy an AutoForm after getting wet enough times. But a new/improved product that won't break the bank is worth waiting for.
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GotAViper
Enthusiast
Based on the pictures...does the top sit on top of the sports bar? I was hoping for a flush mount / 3 peice top.
It's a darn good thing Steve is on this project. Again pics will do the talking here. We have our Gen 2 test coming up soon followed by final mold work, windows and then production begins. .. be ready by spring my friends.. once again.. feedback is appreciated.. thanks everyone..
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KNG SNKE
Enthusiast
Looks like good progress.
mattdillon
Enthusiast
That is WHY I've Always Favored the Lemke Top is because its the ONLY one I've Ever Seen that IS Flush On the Front & Rear of the Top! To ME, this one here Still looks like its just Sitting on Top of the car (still looks like a toupee, but not quite as Bad as the OEM one) Not to Mention, the Lemke IS A 3-Piece! I FINALLY Got Mine In (After 5 Months) its now at my body shop guy getting fitted, sanded (had a few bad spots on it that needed to be touched up) & painted, ! JMO!
My first "hater". Awesome
. everyone has they're own opinion.. that's what's awesome about all the different top options from everyone. I am happy to be a part of it all. Three quick things... I am over the average male height.. Lemke won't work for anyone that has been blessed (or cursed) with my height, not to mention its already been done... I never said this isn't a 3 piece.. and there may be something wrong with your shift key or caps lock. 
Just curious.. how much do you have into your top with purchasing, fitting, sanding and paint repairs.. I'm still working on pricing.. you can pm me if you want.. I honestly do appreciate the feedback. Thank youJ
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I really hope it's a 3 piece that fits in the trunk and affordable.
Patiently waiting for the good news
going a little ways back in my posts.. like the very first one I think I mentioned my goal was an affordable hardtop and I would follow shortly thereafter with a 3 piece trunk stowable one if I could. I also mentioned the price of a 3 piece would be higher due to all the extra work. Thanks to AF the timetable has improved exponentially... and I really have no plans to deviate from my original goals with one exception.. original idea of carbon fiber has to be sacrificed for cost reasons.. keep watching. I may have another less cryptic update after sunrise here in Michigan.
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Also patiently waiting for the three piece trunk version. Like the way you followed the curved look of the body. Although I like the Lemke top, I too would appreciate more headroom.
Hoping that the top mounts easy and maybe even a scoop version.
Hoping that the top mounts easy and maybe even a scoop version.
If its like the current AF top with a pillars that right there would make me lose interest, not to mention it wouldn't work so well for a 3-piece design. Just is too awkward for one person to move around and store off the car. Just my $.02 ...would still love to buy one exactly like the idea in post #19
No its not at all like the normal AF top, you'll see soon.. its staying right with the plan of post 19. You'll be able to see shortly and I think you will like it.
Ok.. pretty straight forward now with the info. .our plans are to make this top work as a one piece top first...it will work with both the Gen I and Gen II. The design and shape of this top has been modeled specifically to insure that we can offer this same shape top with the ability to be sectioned into three pieces which will allow you to store sections in the trunk. This however will not be available until a later date based on other upcoming New products that are in the works at AF. We will be offering this top in black gel coat, with all necessary hardware and weatherstipping . Our target is for the GenII tops to be under $1000 and the GenI with windows to be under $1900. We will offer these tops painted as well, but will not be able to release that price until a later date. Yeah ... that's right .. 1000 and 1900.. with windows .. that's less than the original estimate I had... how often does that happen?
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That is awesome!! Since your not doing carbon fiber, what is the estimated weight of the top? Similar to factory?
Great pricing. A big concern for most Gen1 buyers will be how water proof it will be. AF top have a good reputation for sealing tight with out leaks. Have you established a web site for these yet or will they be sold through AF?
Autoformsteve
Viper Owner
3rd shift J is sleeping...factory top is 35lbs...I just weighed the prototype...it's 24lbs without latches. AF Steve
Autoformsteve
Viper Owner
Same Autoform quality and style. Sealing will not be an issue due to the way it clads over the sport cap...latches will be simple, strong and easy to use. Front latches will be tunable for both Gens. Plans are for the tops will be manufactured at Autoform and ship from our facility here in West Michigan.
Thanks Steve. I still have my heart set in a 3 piece so I can store in the trunk. I know your still developing the 1 piece but any timeline or price estimates for the 3 piece?
Autoformsteve
Viper Owner
We will try to work on it this summer... maybe something by fall...price??? I'll try not to double the price...but making a top come apart adds tooling, fixture, hardware and labor costs. I have been thinking about doing this for a long time...timing needs to be right and I need to make sure there is a solid market. A lot has changed in the GenI Viper world since I created the first hardtop in 93. Jeff has done a great job with his top and I know he has a certain look and following. I have no reason to copy his design and engineering. I have a different idea on what the Viper should look like with a top on and how to make it affordable, easy to install and remove the pieces and still offer the headroom and egress needed for us tall guys. BTW it will work with our roll bar as well
see I told ya he was real.. I just want to reiterate his point that we aren't out to make something you can already buy. From my original post it has always been about doing this from a fresh new vantage point. As fortune would have it when we met we realized our individual ideas were nearly identical. My very first pic long before Steve was in on it was of the route I was going with the double bubble.. just reborn into something new. While the design has evolved aestheticly we have stayed true to our core concept. I am grateful to not just Steve and Autoform but a whole list of people who graciously helped me right from the beginning weather it was extra latches from Roy in Illinois or John in Rhode Island shipping me an entire roof.. every little bit helps. Stay with us just a little longer and the first single piece tops will be rollin' out. ... and at the price target we announced i think we met the affordability goal as well..
thanks for watching
J
I just want to reiterate his point that we aren't out to make something you can already buy. From my original post it has always been about doing this from a fresh new vantage point. As fortune would have it when we met we realized our individual ideas were nearly identical. My very first pic long before Steve was in on it was of the route I was going with the double bubble.. just reborn into something new. While the design has evolved aestheticly we have stayed true to our core concept. I am grateful to not just Steve and Autoform but a whole list of people who graciously helped me right from the beginning weather it was extra latches from Roy in Illinois or John in Rhode Island shipping me an entire roof.. every little bit helps. Stay with us just a little longer and the first single piece tops will be rollin' out. ... and at the price target we announced i think we met the affordability goal as well..thanks for watching
J
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