Lightyear MX5 NA/NB Fastback

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 8:24 am

You can check in here for progress on the fastback. I am committed to finishing the final moulds for the fastback. And hope to have the fastback ready for production by the end of the year.
The design has been tested and proven to not just look good. It has full attached airflow, so will reduce drag, and if you run a rear wing, it will get a nice uninterrupted airflow.

And even in fibreglass it will weigh less than half of the OEM hardtop.

capture

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 8:38 am

I just finished fabricating the rear frame for the fastback. The top edge will be bonded to the underside of the fastback at the rear window lower edge. And the bottom edge of the frame will have a rubber urethane strip on it, and will sit on the OEM trim around the rear of the cabin opening. So no part of the roof will touch the paint. As well, it will seal any noise or water from entering the cabin. The OEM soft top can still be used as well. The fastback is also designed to allow maximum room for a roll cage.
Next job is to make the frame from the finished mould, and cut the boot section off. The boot will have the OEM latch to secure the rear. And will seal the same as OEM, as the internal frame is based of a standard boot.

print screen

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:49 am

Nice! Looking forward too seeing how the boot section joins and works.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:47 pm

Keen.

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:47 pm

[Heavy breathing]

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 11:34 am

It's kind of hard to see what's going on in the first pic, but the frame is in place. It is now bonded on, and tomorrow I can cut the boot off. I decided to make the frame out of carbon fibre, so it looks pretty when viewed through the window. Plus it's lighter/stiffer. I also drew on the cut line for the boot on each side.

print screen windows xp

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 3:20 pm

Sweet!

David, is the profile similar to the factory hardtop - that is, will it fit over a cage that currently sits under a factory hardtop?

What are the prospects for a light(er)weight 'racing' version (eg no hinges or locks)?

:mrgreen:

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:28 pm

It is the same shape as a hardtop up to the start of the rear window. This has more room than a hardtop due to no chunky inner frame on the sides. But height is similiar to a hardtop. In carbon fibre it weighs 2.0kg with the boot section, before frames, rubbers and windows.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:46 pm

Put me on the waiting list please ..... before GreenMachine :-)

ArtyMiats · Postby **ArtyMiats** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 11:50 am

Keeeeeen

mx5002 · Postby **mx5002** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:22 pm

great to see more progress!

still very keen on one

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:56 pm

I am happy for anyone to express interest, but I don't want to take deposits until I am ready to go, and the final version has been tested for wind noise or any issues.

It's coming along well. Today I wasted half the day trying to track down an appropriate hinge system. I found a place about half an hour or so away that might have the right thing. I need a ball and socket type hinge for it to work. So I used a pair of gas struts to test the design. It works perfect. Will copy the link here.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:02 pm

So what i am so planning to do, is have a slim hump in the boot section to cover the rod. But this is the best way I can think to make the hinge work.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOKxXy_yy8

plohl · Postby **plohl** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:53 pm

I like the idea that it can fold out of the way.... not sure about the humps though...
More importantly... will this fit NA's? Not sure how different their boots are (assuming not very)...
Needless to say, I want one. With a duct tail...

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:02 am

I was thinking about it last night. I can make the supporting rod (hinge) go under the boot lid. Just means a bit more work recessing the rod. There will need to be a small cut out/slot at the back corners of the rear window. I have it worked out in my head.
The fastback fits both, NA and NB. But the boot won't, so I need to make two different boot moulds.