Factory Five 818 Soft Top Installation

Factory Five Director of Engineering Jesper Ingerslev goes over the new 818 soft top and demonstrates how to put it on.

[davidblalock]

How about a hard shell top, with windows that mount to the door.

Edit: Consider this post a ballot, and every +1/thumbsup a vote for the hard top.

[taduse]

I'm all for the 818 car. So, thumbs up to F5 for continuing to keep their brand fresh. I'm also a Subaru enthusiast.

This top is the biggest problem with the 818 road going version. The car is pretty amazing and then it has this hokey top as the solution to poor weather conditions. Same issue with the F5 Roadster, but most give it a pass because the original roadster was designed in the 1960's.

Guys at Factory Five... You designed an amazing new vehicle! You used the latest computer Design/Engineering tools to help. I cant fathom why in the world you still used 1960's roof Design ideas.
I suggest you make sure there is a hardtop version, or a Coupe body in the works. This current non convertible soft top is a blemish on a really great car.

[KRAMITDFROG]

Why not a targa with two fiberglass bows and a canvas roof like a Lotus Elise?

Just integrate a means to cover the roll hoop with the rear fiberglass shell and do exactly as Lotus did.

I could have that thing off and in the trunk (boot, whatever...) in a minute or so. Same for installation. Lock down passenger side, install bows, roll top across, lock down driver side. Simpler and cheaper than this.

[gcarter]

Open first beer, ok lets try this.... finish 12 pack, fuck it i’ll wait for a sunny day

[Turbobuttes]

Alright, so when are you guys gonna make a removable hard top? It's just one more mould and some latches; how hard, expensive or heavy can it be?

[Zangle]

This is one car that is on my list to build when I am done with college and my family is in a new house in the next 4 years. However, this top is just a pain, looks good but a pain. you guys should make a hard top version. 

[hershy]

with the side windows in, it would seem like it would be a pain in the ass to get in and out with it in place

[HOTSHOT]

I would love to c a hard top model of the 818.

[Scray]

Please make a hardtop for it, that looks like a royal pain to put together.

[GaryOGarysGarage]

reminds me of the windows on the Army Humvee although much better made.  Heck those Humvee doors were made entirely out of canvass and the door handle was held together by one screw.  Looks slick.

[ViperKillerWannabe]

Any chance you guys will make a coupe version of the 818?

[davidkruest]

So i am strongly considering building one of these. But ive noticed that there are a couple of different style headlight/front bumpers. Some i really like and others not so much. Anyone know if these are choices that can be made when ordering or have they just been updated over the last year or so? I couldnt find this info on their website

[megatronn]

And the top doesn't fold?! No thanks, I'm cool. MY KINGDOM FOR A HARDTOP OPTION! Otherwise, great car.

[rarsn]

It's easy to understand why they chose a top like this, given the type of car it is and the expense of a better convertible top. And with cars that focus on lightweight designs, it's not that uncommon to have a cheap, removable soft top similar to this one (they're not really designed to be a replacement for a real top). However, I'm with everyone that wants a hard top version of this car. I don't need a convertible and this top does kind of look like a pain in the ass to install.

I do think the top looks good, but the lack of real windows eliminates the possibility of using it in lieu of a hard top and the windows kind of look bad when they're installed anyway.

[sixfeetdeepmotorsportstv]

 this car just screams power lol we would love to have a couple of those for the team

[DanielChaves]

yeah I have to agree I would rather deal with a hard top then go through all that trouble... 

[samgillam]

How much is the 818 in total including a pro builder to build it for you

[patsgmc]

For a genius car, the top looks sad and complicated.

[FreakKeeper]

Is it that hard to design roll up or power windows?

[terrencelabroix]

Hi Do you guys sell complete turnkey cars?