Roll-up windows

Does anyone know of a kit that has roll-up windows as I would like to drive the car year round.

The only 356 replica with roll-up windows I've seen is from Intermeccanica, and they only sell a complete (no kits) car.

Thanks For the info

I have an IM. I live in Columbus, Ohio and drive it everyday, sun, rain, sleet and snow. It's great....

My CMC has roll ups. Apparently was a 'factory option'. From a convenience standpoint, they beat the crap outta side curtains in that you can open and close them and they really don't leak nearly as bad. Not as good as your average Uhhmm.. Buick or.... though.
Bill

(standing as I speak) Hello group. My name is Jim Ward and I am a non roll up window Speedster owner. (Group acknowlefgement) Next!

Anyone who owns roll-ups... do they leak (if you've also owned side curtains, more or less leak). Do they rattle, make noise? Wind leakage? Any bad thoughts or recommendations?

David

I own a JPS no roll-ups.

I have an 84 IM. Roll-ups don't rattle or leak...I love them. Unfortunately, the top is 18 years old and leaks everywhere.

Karl Macklin has a JPS Speedster that was built with roll up windows but JPS had to attach some odd-ball pieces on the side of the Speedster windshield posts to kinda/sorta effect a seal. Convertible "D" or "Roadster' windshield pillers are different and have a rubber gasket seal for the window.

I have to confess roll up windows and doors that you can lock with a key sound nice.

David, my '56 Porsche 1600 Super Speedster leaked in between the side curtains and top when it rained and the wicked wind whistled through the gaps and down the back of your neck. Add to that the windshield wipers were anemic, the defrost didn't work (bring a towel), and visibility was DANGEROUS with top and side curtains up (and virtually SUICIDAL in the rain).

My IM roadster doesn't leak water or air, has two speed (and intermittent wipers), functioning defrost, and visibility is excellent even with top and windows up in the rain.

If you're only going to drive the car on sunny summer afternoons it doesn't matter, but if you want to drive the car like a real car, then yeah, it makes a difference.

George, we little folks find driving top and side curtains up, even in the rain, less suicidal than our larger bros. Sometimes it pays to be *short in the pants* as my Dad used to put it.
John H.
*short in the pants as in "vertically challenged"

I've never had a problem driving with the top up or curtains on. I have alot more visibility then the average cargo van or semi truck and they seem to do fine.
As far as locking doors and roll-up windows for security, I think this is a very bad idea. Which is better, having someone cut or rip the top to ruffle through the car or having someone open the door and do it? No matter what, you can't stop someone when you have a soft-top, I think it's better to have them open the door and set off the alarm, then have them cut the top and set off the alarm.
-=theron

As you may know, I had JPS build me a speedster earlier this year with a glasspar hardtop from Fibersteel. I had John install a locking alarm- I can't lock the car with a key, but when the alarm is activated, two solenoids lock the doors. Its just about perfect, I think. I just completed some plexiglass side windows for the hardtop that seal against the standard speedster window frames without the filler panels usually required on a non-IM speedster. They seal up nicely, but were very labor intensive to fabricate. I may make up a set for the softop too- they aren't rollups, but they come close in terms of cold weather functionality. Now- if I would have only specified a stock VW thermostat setup on my engine tin...

Stan, If you ever decide to make a spare set of plex side windows for a soft top I sure would be interested. I've got a VS.

Eddie,
It really is a "custom fit" kind of thing, due to the non-exact spacing and angle of the holes for the side-curtain pegs. Vintage speedsters use a 1x2 with an upholstery covering, and the holes are drilled by hand, I believe. However, I would be happy to give you all the information you could ever want or need as far as where the polycarbonate fits best on the car, what kind of seals to use, etc. I can tell you lots of things you DON'T need, and a few things you abosolutely do need- maybe you can profit from my mistakes. Contact me if you are intrested, and we'll go from there.

I just added one drawing of the Suzuki regulaters that I used in my car,. For those of you that are seriously wanting to add roll up windows these do work nice but in there normal state you will have to use suzuki crank handles,

I resplined the shafts on mine to use 1966 VW parts.

And the paint work will have to be redone when you cut the slots in the door tops. Its alot to do for windows.

Acapp Glass in New York can make you some very nice tempered window glasses, bead work and all. Was $175.oo a pair.

(Message Edited 12/17/2002 11:39:19 AM)

I see IM sells body parts. Why not just buy two Speedster doors with the rollup windows from them (assuming you need to re-paint your car at some time)and install them? Or are there fit problems between manufacturers or between cars?

Robert Carley

Robert,

Assuming the IM doors would fit (an assumption I'm not willing to make), the problem is in where the windshield mounts on non-IM cars. The windshield on both cars I have owned (CMC and JPS) is about 1-1/4" forward from the stock 356 location, putting the frame about 1-1/4" ahead of the front edge of the door. Assuming you could fit an IM door, the front edge of the window glass would roll up into... nothing- there would be a gap of about 1-1/4" between the window and the windshield frame. This makes converting a car to roll-ups VERY difficult (ask Barry about this). A much easier approach (and I use the word "easier" with reservations) is to fabricate some nice (see Olaf's speedster pictures, or my very poor snapshot in the files section) plexi-glas side-curtains. Visibality is improved from the canvas side-curtains, the car is more weather-tight, etc. It's a lot of work, but worth it (in my estimation). Of course you could always spend $40K for a nice IM...

Stan, you've been looking at my checkbook. I think Henry places the Speedster windshield in its correct location (or very close) and has slightly modified windshield side-posts with rubber seals that mate with the roll up (or electric) windows; this is similar to how the convertible "D" windows seal.

I opted for electric windows (even though I don't like them) to keep the door panels looking as stock as possible (no window cranks). The switches for the electric windows are hidden at each side under the dash.

(Message Edited 2/18/2003 5:00:57 PM)

George,

I think you're being modest! You'll going end up pretty far north of $40K (like maybe $20K?). I believe you wrote:

"The car (less engine and transaxle) will cost $38,000 to $39,000 as it is rather "optioned out". The rebuilt to "as new" 901 5-speed with Porsche 904 input shaft and custom ratios and a torque-biased limited slip differential (not Quaife) from Carquip is around $5,200 ($1,000 more if you have no exchange core transaxle)."

There comes a point when a lot of people stop looking how much something really will cost, assuming they have the money, and know exactly what they want. You will undoubtedly have the nicest speedster replica ever, built just the way you wanted. We're all anxious to see it. Now about the white piping....

What's all this talk about visability! Remember, the first rule of Italian driving, what's behind you is meaningless and concern for what's beside you only shows a sign of weakness.

Jack; spoken like a true admirer of Tazio Nuvolari. If you're not leading, you're losing.

I e-mailed IM speedster and they said they could sell me the side glass, the winders and the upper window scrapers but I would have to make the slots in my doors but I wonder if this is all I would need. Does anyone know if this would work or would I need some guides or other parts to complete the job? I like the cutome power window that George mention I wonder if there is a kit for that?

Oh by the way I own a 58 CMC speedster.

Hey George why don't you like the electric windows?

Electric windows are a great convenience except for when they stop working properly, then they're a PITA.