• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Top Gear’s Renault Espace Challenge

August 22, 2014 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery News - The Hog Ring - Top Gear Renault Espace Convertible

We’ve seen some terrible DIY convertible tops, but the folks over at Top Gear win first prize for the worst of all time.

Back in 2009, they chopped the top off a Renault Espace minivan to create their own retractable soft top. The result was comical (to says the least), but the real fun didn’t start until they were challenged to put it through its paces.

Watch as they drive their custom flop-top Espace convertible over 100 mph, through a wild safari and even a high-power carwash…

Needless to say, Top Gear did NOT pick up that convertible top from Electron Top or Kee Auto Top, and it definitely wasn’t made using Haartz fabric.

Filed Under: Archive, Funny Upholstery Repairs, Ugly Upholstery Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Convertible Top, Groupe Renault, Renault Espace, Top Gear

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. frozen-stitches says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    Looks like a boat Bimini top that was retrofitted. Top gear and pimp my rides have the best comical mods done to cars.

  2. Geoff says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    The back almost looks like it came off a Tracker.

  3. Gjudd says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    Thay have a great fun them boys! I managed to get tickets to watch them do a show in the studio which is in a hanger at RAF dunsfold in surrey, the test track is on the air field out the front.

    Great fun it was like being in a bar just having a laugh then they edit it into the show

  4. Gjudd says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    In the episode you can see them make it which I guess is on you tube

  5. Lairds Customs says

    August 23, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Top gear on BBC is one of the best shows ever!!
    Those guys are awesome. They come up with some crazy stuff. NOT to be confused with top gear America, (they just rip off everything that the real show does)

  6. Ed Wolford says

    January 4, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    That really shows What a person with Three years experience can do and they claim they are upholsterers
    Set up shop and start cutting prices

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

[the_ad id="15589"]
[the_ad id="27915"]
[the_ad_group id="1581"]

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Stitches Custom Auto Upholstery

Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

Tony Miller of Stitches Custom Auto … [more] about Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

The Hog Ring - 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

Auto upholstery shops that generate a lot of … [more] about 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

The Hog Ring - This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

Check out this Ferrari 812 GTS upholstered by … [more] about This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

Stories about how individual auto trimmers … [more] about How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

The Hog Ring - Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Bench Seat

Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Seat

In his last video, Rick Valdez of Alchemy … [more] about Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Seat

How to Hand Stitch a Steering Wheel Cover

Interested in learning how to hand stitch a … [more] about How to Hand Stitch a Steering Wheel Cover

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • WyoTech Taps Dominic Olson for Upholstery Program, Installs New NC Machines
  • MasterTech Expo 2026 Draws Global Crowd and Raises the Bar Again
  • Free SEMA Webinar: How to Start Your Own Auto Shop
  • NC Carpet Binding Teases New Bespoke Carpet Edgings Line
  • Register for SEMA’s 2026 Professional Development Program

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in