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NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:26 pm
by moogling
Does anyone recognise this type of roof, or is it a home build?

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Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:33 pm
by RobW
How does it pop up? Ie angled front to back etc?

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:36 pm
by moogling
I've not seen it in the flesh yet, but I think vertically!

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:38 pm
by moogling
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Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:34 pm
by Peaceand
From memory it looks vaguely like a Searle prototype that Mick (Jabberwocky) has stashed away.

It looks like a cross between a park ranger and a dormobile roof, but without any windows in the roof, or in the sides it's going to be dark in there.

If it's like the Park Ranger system then the curved rods/pipes that are visible in the first photo (ratchet strapped together) should push upwards to lift the roof vertically, so those edges that are currently strapped together are supporting the fiberglass roof. And some canvas or panels would fill in the gaps around the edges.

Would be interesting to see more photos...are you thinking of acquiring it?

cheers,
Patrick

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:02 pm
by moogling
Thanks very much for the guess work, It sounds similar!

I am considering acquiring it! yes. But it looks like ALOT of work!

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:50 pm
by Peaceand
Looking at the photos again, there's something a bit odd...if all the photos were taken at the same time, then the fiberglass roof section is too long for the vehicle. There's an overhang at the back but the front has cutouts which match the ribs on the sloping ali roof. Those cutouts wouldn't be needed if the fiberglass was sitting further forwards and not overhanging at the back. :shrug:

Whatever it is though, it looks like an interesting project! Good luck with the acquisition!

Patrick

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:15 pm
by moogling
Thanks

It does look quite a bit like the park ranger conversions, but the rear overhang is quite extreme, I agree, although it seems to sit correctly on the roof.

I have agreed to a deal, and will collect it before the end of july at which point i'll stick up more pics!

Hopefully it's salvageable.

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:01 am
by Calum
Looks like it was taken off something else to me, as it overhangs so much at the rear. Would make a good conversion with a bit of work though!

The Searle 'prototype' roof that Mick has is almost certainly not a prototype in my opinion... Searle offered at least two different roof styles in the early to mid 60s (both are described in a road test I have), and they did for a while use Devon GRP sections as fitted to VWs but they stopped using them as they couldn't secure enough of them I believe (they were all going onto VWs!). Pretty sure Micks is one of these (and indeed remains the only one I have seen!)

Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:20 am
by moogling
I have decided not to get this. If anyone else was interested, I can provide details. I was going to swap a 109 roof for it, but just don't need it now.