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Standard Equipment And Options

Coss

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To me the moonroofs would pop up in the back and vent but were not removable. Sunroofs would move out of the way for you. So, yeah, if the moonroof had a slide back cover, that might be hard in the Elio but if it were just a glass panel in place of the plastic roof panel, I would call that a moonroof.
It still goes back to the size limitations; you're only working with 8" to maybe 10" across to put a frame assembly in so at most you'll have 6"-8" side to side opening on the inside; pretty much a porthole. And every sunroof/moonroof/skylight has to have a frame around it to hold the seal and the mechanical. Plus you can bend (form it actually) glass to have a curve, but you can't really form it like a ball (front to rear + side to side) Oh you can; but the cost would skyrocket. Look at any sunroof and they're flat front to rear; curved side to side. It might have a small (very small) arc front to rear, but not as much as the Elio roofline.
We picture things in our minds and see it one way; but when it comes time to cut that hole, the reality of proportion comes into play.
Take a piece of paper; fold it in half (so it's 8.5" X 5.5") go out to your car, and hold that up over your head, and you can get a real concept of what it would really be like.
When you sat in the Elio (guessing that you did somewhere along the line) did you even notice the headliner in the Elio?
There is so much glass close to either side of your head (side windows) that you probably didn't even pay attention to it.
And look at the frame pictures; look at the available space there is to work with between the fame of the vehicle.

One last thing, factory sunroofs/moonroofs are very different from roofs you can install after the vehicle is built.
 

skygazer6033

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The Elio roof is narrow already but that isn't the only issue. There is an airbag over each side that extends from just behind the windshield to behind the rear seat back. Part of the 5 star safety system???? Anyway there's simply so little room that a sunroof would be so small that it would hardly be worth the effort.
 

Sethodine

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It still goes back to the size limitations; you're only working with 8" to maybe 10" across to put a frame assembly in so at most you'll have 6"-8" side to side opening on the inside; pretty much a porthole...

Wait a second... why don't I just cut a large, round hole and install a swing-open porthole! Think "tank hatch" + "window". Maybe the door from a compact side-load washing machine would do. It would hurt the aero a bit, but hopefully not by much.
Might also be a good option to go over the passenger seat, to get some more light back there.
dh210.jpg

And also to man the gun, if need be :evil:
 

Coss

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Wait a second... why don't I just cut a large, round hole and install a swing-open porthole! Think "tank hatch" + "window". Maybe the door from a compact side-load washing machine would do. It would hurt the aero a bit, but hopefully not by much.
Might also be a good option to go over the passenger seat, to get some more light back there.
dh210.jpg

And also to man the gun, if need be :evil:
That's where the front to rear curve comes in, it is difficult to form glass in 2 different curves (F-R&Side-Side) and that's what you have to deal with on the Elio

Here's an exercise to try, take a large piece of cardboard, and cut a 8 x 7 hole in it; then try to pass your body through it without bending or tearing it.

I did Sunroofs for 16 years, so I have done some really unusual installs; I don't even want to try on the Elio.
There is a chance you might get something to work; but I wouldn't want to be in either seat when it started raining.
 

Grumpy Cat

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Wait a second... why don't I just cut a large, round hole and install a swing-open porthole! Think "tank hatch" + "window". Maybe the door from a compact side-load washing machine would do. It would hurt the aero a bit, but hopefully not by much.
Might also be a good option to go over the passenger seat, to get some more light back there.
dh210.jpg

And also to man the gun, if need be :evil:
You don't need anyone on the roof, besides, think of all the drag (and lose of mpg). You need this!

http://www.defensetech.org/2013/08/21/navy-overhauls-phalanx-ship-defense-weapon/
 

CrimsonEclipse

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That's where the front to rear curve comes in, it is difficult to form glass in 2 different curves (F-R&Side-Side) and that's what you have to deal with on the Elio

Here's an exercise to try, take a large piece of cardboard, and cut a 8 x 7 hole in it; then try to pass your body through it without bending or tearing it.

I did Sunroofs for 16 years, so I have done some really unusual installs; I don't even want to try on the Elio.
There is a chance you might get something to work; but I wouldn't want to be in either seat when it started raining.

Does Lt. Dan come with the upgrade?
 

CrimsonEclipse

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The little yellow stars are now on every option with your vote and the Average rating.

(neat!)

Not many people have voted since I was able to change the average with 1 vote.

I can't wait until the instrument cluster options are available

(BWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)

:p
 
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