[Jim Holden]

Having driven 250 miles or so in our ERA 289 in a torrential rain (a year ago Oct. 30th) there are a couple of observations my wife and I would make about the effectiveness of AC Cobra style (Conestoga Wagon technology) top:

1. When the car was in motion, the rain went up the windshield and found a way through/under the windshield top bow. The navigator's job was to slow down the torrent with paper towels. The standard gasket does not go all the way across, nor does it meet the windshield to properly seal the gap.

2. Water also found its way down the windshield posts and dripped on to our respective thighs (left or right, as the case may be, dependent on seating arrangement).

3. There is a small gap between the body and the bottom curve of the windshield gasket where the curve of the hood meets the curve of the fenders that allows a minor influx of the tide. Again, a roll of paper towels kept things at bay... mostly.

We put our luggage and ourselves into hefty garbage bags, which kept almost everything dry. Best advice? Get a wet suit.

...and while it really has nothing to do with the top, the passenger side windshield wiper flew off somewhere near Deal's Gap.

Now, the top is helpful (along with the "dog's breath" heater and side curtains) for the evening drive home in late October and November when the temperature is dropping.

But for a long drive in the rain? You might just as well leave it down.

The trip in the rain up through western Virginia is not something I would wish to repeat.

Jim

PS: ...and the interior of the car did dry out, eventually.