I also have a list of upgrades I'd like to do to my Spyder. I don't car much for keeping it original looking. This is my version of this car.
Having a positive clam shell retention mechanism is one of them. I could never get one of my latches adjusted to stay latched on bumpy roads. I've drawn up a few different ideas, but using some kind of aircraft latch sounds interesting.
I don't mind the leather straps, but I have an upgraded idea for them. As it is, I don't think they'd hold the clam shell down if the latches ever did fail and air got up under it at high speed.
A better gas tank with an upper access panel to the front beam.
Some aluminum trim panels under the clam shell with an aluminum firewall.
That rack and pinion steering rack that someone found.
I do have the aluminum 190 wheels on my car. But, I'd like to widen my steel 4.5 front wheels to 5 inches so that a 185 tire wouldn't look so ridiculous and adjust the offset. The edge of the tread is what rubs the fender in extreme turns. Widening the rim isn't going to make that area any wider. ****, if I'm going to go that far, I might as well flare the lip ever so slightly. Maybe, even out all the fenders, so the car looks like it's centered on the frame and not the way it currently looks.
Side wind screens like the RSKs had.
Single shoulder belts.
I've already done the front tow points that can also be used as jack points. I also made a front spoiler that mounted to them. I don't use it around here because of the roads and I'm never at freeway speeds for more than a few minutes. I'd be curious if it would even make a difference if I were ever to take it out on a highway. Whatever.
Just a few of my ideas.