Saratoga Sunroof - Bulk-Buy

[944Fripp]

There was a group buy a while back (I think in Rennlist). They modified the fastening mechanism. Something to do with loctiting the fasteners in place as they were coming loose. I think this is the modification they are carrying out on the remaining units. Am sure all will be fine. It's not like we have paid up front.

Exactly right. When Pilkington remade the units for the US buyers they found that after a few weeks of use they started to generate excess wind noise. This was down to the material used for the clips that hold the front of the unit into the roof panel. I believe they were made to original spec and that's why the originals all suffer with this problem. At no cost to the guys in the US, Pilkington devised a modified system that could be retrofitted to the new units. From then on, all Saratoga Tops were to be dispatched with this system rather than the original. Because this order is larger than they first predicted, not all of the stock units have this modified set up on and they have had to order all the parts and make sure they are suitably fitted.

It's all in the Rennlist forum thread: [link=http://rennlist.com/forums/944-turbo-and-turbo-s-forum/680660-pikington-will-make-saratoga-tops-again-86.html]http://rennlist.com/forums/944-turbo-and-turbo-s-forum/680660-pikington-will-make-saratoga-tops-again-86.html[/link]

Appreciate it's a simple mod and any schoolboy could do this in under 2 minutes but it's not worth worrying about. Have faith, they're coming!

 

[944 man]

I think the modifications are on the fasteners. The first ones did not seal properly but this was rectified.

My understanding is that the Saratogas have been made for... decades - for 968s and 944s.

You have been misinformed. They were made briefly and haven't been available for decades.

 

[944Turbo]

The wait is almost appropriate given the near mythical status and rarity of the saratoga top! Since I had my first 944 in the 90s I have only seen photo's still waiting to see one in the flesh, I did make some tentative bids on an original on ebay some years back but that went for well over $600 without shipping, I have a feeling it had a scratch or iffy fixing as well. Then the rennlist group buy seemed to take forever to get off the ground and they were snapped up really quickly when it finally did.

 

[white944]

There's a 924 on Ebay at the moment with a Saratoga fitted.

 

[944Turbo]

expensive way to get one, but then you do get a free car

 

[George Elliott]

Tom,

I have been absent from the forum for a while, but if you need a taker for why nots roof I would be pleased to step in.

You can let me know

thanks

George

 

[blade7]

Over the years I've had cars with factory steel tilt/slide sunroofs, factory glass tilt/slide, the factory 944 sunroof , and aftermarket glass sunroofs. bottom of my wishlist would be the last one.

 

[tref]

I would agree with that, but for.one significant factor with this one: At any time.you can take the Saratoga out, and put your original back in (please correct me if I am wrong!)

 

[944Turbo]

Yes and being the same size as the original it is pretty big so lets in a lot of light - most of the aftermarket (or even factory - tilt) glass roofs are pretty small and pointless,

 

[blade7]

I would agree with that, but for.one significant factor with this one: At any time.you can take the Saratoga out, and put your original back in (please correct me if I am wrong!)

Then the point of buying the bit of glass would be ....

 

[944Fripp]

I would agree with that, but for.one significant factor with this one: At any time.you can take the Saratoga out, and put your original back in (please correct me if I am wrong!)

Then the point of buying the bit of glass would be ....

Because I want to.....

Different strokes.

 

[944Fripp]

Tom,

I have been absent from the forum for a while, but if you need a taker for why nots roof I would be pleased to step in.

You can let me know

thanks

George

Hi George, the best person to ask that would be Nick at Pilkington on the contact details from this thread. I do know that somebody from another forum has jumped into yknot's boots and placed the order with Nick. I also know Nick is ordering more than we are placing the order for so there may be some spare if they aren't broken in transit. Assuming they ever get dispatched of course!

 

[944Scott]

No updates then? surely they must have finished modifying the last three, looking at the mod kit on the link I'd guess it that's only a few hours work.

They certainly are dragging their heels.

 

[George Elliott]

Thanks Tom

George

 

[wolfie308]

Tom - could you kindly take my name off the list as I no longer own a 944.

 

[944Fripp]

Tom - could you kindly take my name off the list as I no longer own a 944.

There isn't a formal list per say although I'll update Nick. Just don't pays your money when the proforma is e-mailed to you!

No updates then? surely they must have finished modifying the last three, looking at the mod kit on the link I'd guess it that's only a few hours work.

They certainly are dragging their heels.

True enough, I think Nick here in the UK is getting pretty fed up of them too....

 

[moeman79]

Has there been any news on this?

 

[Mikebarry202]

Is it looking like Saratoga sunroofs will remain as rare as ever?

 

[944Fripp]

They are coming, of that I'm sure. I agree that they're taking longer than any of us ever thought possible but I can't for the life of me understand what the rush is.

 

[Waylander]

They will be here when they get here, it's not like any of us have loads of cash tied up in the deal

the longer they take the more time I have to save up[]