NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

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moogling
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:16 am

NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Post by moogling » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:26 pm

Does anyone recognise this type of roof, or is it a home build?

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RobW
Posts: 389
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Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Post by RobW » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:33 pm

How does it pop up? Ie angled front to back etc?
moogling
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:16 am

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

Post by moogling » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:36 pm

I've not seen it in the flesh yet, but I think vertically!
moogling
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Re: NOT a dormobile pop top, so what is it?

Post by moogling » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:38 pm

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Peaceand
Posts: 274
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Location: Near Wakefield, West Yorkshire

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

Post by Peaceand » Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:34 pm

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
  • Holly - 1972 Searle Carawagon Continental Ultimate (200 TDi)
  • Basil - 1969 Searle SWB (Prima TD)
moogling
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:16 am

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

Post by moogling » Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:02 pm

Thanks very much for the guess work, It sounds similar!

I am considering acquiring it! yes. But it looks like ALOT of work!
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Peaceand
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Location: Near Wakefield, West Yorkshire

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

Post by Peaceand » Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:50 pm

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
  • Holly - 1972 Searle Carawagon Continental Ultimate (200 TDi)
  • Basil - 1969 Searle SWB (Prima TD)
moogling
Posts: 41
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:16 am

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

Post by moogling » Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:15 pm

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.
Calum
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:44 pm

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

Post by Calum » Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:01 am

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

Post by moogling » Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:20 am

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.
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