Does anyone actually use the Tonneau

[stevewass]

I had some time the other day and decided to take the tonneau and soft top out of moth balls and try them on for size. I have never used either and it took some stretching to get them to finally fit. I just don't get the purpose of the tonneau, does anyone actually use it? What is the application and when would you use it?

[Grubby]

I drive my Cobra to work on nice days. The tonneau keeps dust out of the interior and keeps moderately dishonest people from sitting in the car or worse.

In addition, on long drives when it rains we stop and put the tonneau on and go inside a restaurant or store to wait out the rain.

My car would get driven less without it.

John

[Sawdust]

I have been at 2 different car shows recently when it decided to rain. I had the tonneau on in about 2 minutes and it worked great! Kept the interior nice and dry. It's always in my trunk.

Stu.

[davecobra]

Here in West Texas I used to keep my black seats from getting heat soaked while I not driving, put in on while we stop and eat, sure keeps the seats cooler when the sun is shinning and 100 outside.
David

[1985 CCX]

I used to regularly use mine as I never had a top. Anytime it rained or outside overnight I would use it as it took 3 minutes to install and it keeps the moisture out.. Thus smells as well

[CobraEd]

Had my car for about 13 years. The cover came with it. I have never used it even once.


.

[lovehamr]

I use mine all the time. I drive my BDR to work a couple of times a week when it looks like the weather will be nice. But it does get blazing hot here in south GA as well, so I use it to keep my butt from being broiled when I get in it. As others have mentioned it's also much better than nothing over your interior if it rains. Mine is zippered down the middle and I've driven it in the rain with the passenger side still in place as well. Didn't keep the interior perfectly dry but it was a lot better than nothing.

[Mdman352]

I will have one made for my Contemporary when the last bit of calf skin is fitted to the dash. We have a club meeting every Saturday morning and many times it is well below freezing and the added cover to the interior will be a bonus. I use a full head/face mask which is wonderful for warmth and getting interesting looks.

[Zoom This]

I have used mine mostly during road trips and button the car up at night. The car cover is a luxury I only have when packing is light in the trunk. Like it was said earlier, keeps prying eyes out and saves the seats and dash gauges from damaging sunlight. On those cold mornings it's nice to pull the cover up and try to keep "warmer" with the heater on full blast.

[Got the Bug]

I've never had the top out of the bag. I've used the tonneau a couple of times when it was really hot out. I think the top is now an option when you buy an SPF.

[pgermond]

I use my tonneau when we take an overnight trip - keeps things out of sight and keeps the cockpit dry if it rains, which has occurred on more than one occasion. It is always in the trunk.... just in case.

[Jimbocobra]

I just used it this weekend drivng home in the rain from racing. I have the zipper down the middle, keeps the passenger side dry. I put it on when I park it outside overnight at hotels (when I travel to race tracks because trailers are for boats). I put it on when I take it to the golf course, work, getting caught in bad weather when things change quickly. I've had the car a over three years and probably used the cover 20 times.

[snakebittexan]

In addition to the previously mentioned points putting it on when in driving cold weather actually helps keep you warm(er.), obviously with the right side up.

[Hydramada]

I use mine regularly. Living in the mid-south means plenty of sunshine and the tonneau keeps all that black leather cooler when I am ready to climb back in. Also, it keeps people from taking the liberty of sitting in your car for a photo op while you are in having lunch or whatever errand you used as an excuse to drive your Cobra....

I have also been known to use it while driving in the winter for the passenger side. Unzip down the middle, tuck the driver half behind the seat and open up both heater vents. It allows more trapped heat on the passenger side which bleeds over to keep me warm during those Saturday morning breakfast rides in January.

Once you get it stretched properly and get some practice, it goes on quickly.

[Silverback51]

Like some have mentioned, I use mine while on vacation when parked overnight at hotels. Also use it when I occasionaly drive it to work. Keeps people out of it, and we also have a lot of seagulls flying overhead. Enough said there.

[mdross1]

Always have both the tonneau and top with us 99% of the time.When taking car to work or threat of showers always have tonneau hooked in back with top rolled up behind seats.At work always put tonneau over cockpit.When the weather cools off the top is on all the time sometimes will even run the heater blower.

[WardL]

I use my tounneau as well. But recently I've noticed I've got little scratches around the snaps. I've thought about trying some felt around the snaps or something for protection. Do others see little scratches?

[mdross1]

Yes the scratches are the price we pay to protect ourselves and our interiors.For me it is all a part of the patina.Seems the longer we own the car the easier it is to put up with these kinds of things.Actually a more enjoyable experience.

[marcocsx3121]

Keeping it snapped at the rear and rolled behind the seats (per the earlier post) makes for a neater appearance. See the attached pic of CSX 3121 in that configuration.

[Leecbr]

I've created my own interior cover. I cut a weather proof car cover about half maybe more. I then sewed the two ends together to complete the elastic band. The cover now has a circular elastic band which cinches nicely starting over the driver seat and then my steering wheel.

The thick elastic band slides nicely into a snug spot between the dash and body . The elastic extends all the way down to my seat tracks on both sides and loops over the seat track slider handles. The cover drapes and rests on the seats and center transmission hump.

It's not an award winner but a quick cover helping to protect the interior and avoid blistering black seats. Great to keep the elements out and prevent sun fading on the interior. Plus I can stowe it away in a small gym bag.

I like the fact I don't have to get all of those snaps punched into the body. Plus I don't have to worry about scratches from the tonneau cover snaps.

If it's windy I just lay my outside seat belt strap on it. The racing shoulder harness can be added to hold it down. I haven't had to use the belts. It stays in place quite well. Definately not a solution for rain.