you could keep it real simple. propped open you will need to remove the flat latch area of that hatch as it will angle up
as for roof wings etc the 3rd gen has books of available parts.
I know this may be far fetched and out of most peoples budgets but.
motor swap? yea yea yea I know you already have your heart set on a tdi but.
just wondering cost? and what you expect out of it mpg wise in the end?
was it a v8 stock or v6? I would say the best FE would come from a LS1 swap or
3.6L (2lt) either with a 6spd manual or 6spd auto
7xxlb is heavy. is that with the trans?
generic 305 or 350 that would be period spec would be 575lb
the 2.8l/3.1l is 350lb
3.6l is 370lb
LS1 is all aluminum 390lb
trannys are trannys.
6cyl 4spd auto is 159lb v8 4spd auto is 260lb.
v6 5spd manual is 106lb v6 6spd is 126lb
v8 t56 6spd manual is 121lb
just a thought. I mean aero is good and all but even the most aerodynamic vehicle will be a gas guzzler if it is too heavy. and most rwd diesel trans will be truck gears. and gas trans wont handle the torque.
without changing the outward and inward appearance from stock (full interior etc) an ls1/t56 swap with some fiberglass replacement panels could easily have you 600+lb lighter then stock with a good 150 more hp then the original 350. and you could easily be in the 30mpg range more if you drive economicly.
my 83 RX7 had a ls1/t56 swap modded pushing a healthy 420whp. and it avg 25mpg with far from driving conservatively and 275/315 wide tires.
you could get the fiberglass hatch. and install a normal window in it? it should give the roof length you wanted