Hadn't seen anything posted about it on here yet so I thought I'd say something. Kraken just went live with their carbon fiber NA/NB hardtops and they're priced incredibly well. He's been posting about the manufacturing process on Facebook for some time now but the dude really doesn't market his stuff anywhere aside from his page. I tried to link the Kraken FB page but it doesn't work for some reason. More posts about the hardtops on there for anyone wanting to google it.

https://kraken-mx5.eu/shop/kraken-mx...ggBqOpVv_HbCmw

Anyways, seems like this could be a good deal for anyone looking for a hardtop, especially if there aren't many around locally. Somebody order one and let us know if they're as nice as the webpage suggests

 

Duuude that thing looks nice! Someone's gotta buy one and let us know how it is.

Also someone should tell him to make a fastback. I hope he does, he always nails it with the pricing and quality in my experience.

 

At first I was thinking I could sell my OEM top and break even for $1600. Once you "spec it out", which I'm putting in quotes because I don't know who wants a top without any weatherstripping, seals or a rear window, you're sitting at about $2600-2700. IDK if shipping is included in that either, but it's showing $2800 in the cart.

Not too bad I guess considering what hardtops sell for these days. Granted that's assuming the fit is OEM quality and that the poly rear windshield holds up well.

 

Yeah no joke, if he could make fastbacks for reasonably cheap as well, that'd be a pretty cornered market. That being said, I think the first posts I saw from him regarding the hardtop project were as far back as last summer. No doubt making this happen was a huge project even if he copied the OEM shape to a T.

Sim, good point. Fully optioned out, it looks like you're in or a little above OEM hardtop territory. That being said, that's used, fiberglass, OEM top territory. A couple hundred bucks more for a new lighter carbon fiber top is still pretty good IMO.

Per the webpage: "US Customers: The displayed price includes shipping to our NY area warehouse. Additional shipping charges to your door will be calculated when ready for final delivery. Price includes all tariffs and customs fees. Shipping time: approximately 2 weeks plus 2 weeks for redistribution and customs clearance."

So yeah, probably another few hundred to get it shipped to your door once it lands in the U.S. Guess every little expense does add up.

If it were me, I'd probably opt to do the clearcoat myself, and just cut a window out of a sheet of lexan to shave $600 off the total hardtop cost. It'd probably end up looking rough, but it would match the rest of my car anyways so NBD

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. A well setup carbon fiber roof that's brand new is probably worth paying another $500-1000 compared to some old dinged up thing with crusty seals.

 

The option that needs consideration is the kevlar. You do NOT want to shunt with that top if it is going to disintegrate into sharp edged shards.

I briefly ran one of Lightyear's CF hardtops on the original GM before I decided I just didn't want to risk it, YMMV though.

Having a good condition colour-matched HT, I'll pass on this, though the weight loss would be nice. Now, if he decides to offer a fastback version, ...

 

The splintering concern didn't occur to me and I didn't realize that was the appeal behind the kevlar option. Thanks for the enlightenment.