How to protect cockpit in a downpour

[SpecOp1]

Go to the search on "snapless tonneau covers"....PIG is there ...I have one and it is the BEST thing I have purchased for my car....keep it in the trunk and takes 2 minutes to install. ..cockpit gets NO water...people at car shows are amazed. They even put my stripes and pinstripes on it for me...great people...also in So Fla....

[ERA2076]

[quote=YerDugliness;1254739]all I have to do is unscrew the bolt that goes through the floor and the water will run out past the "lugs" on the castle nut.
Dugly [/QUOTE

Just leave the drains open and you don't have to do anything - been running my Jeep that way for years and it works great.

chr

[Rick Parker]

Check the weather app on your phone?


But I too got caught on a trip on the way back from Tahoe and keep a clear painters drop cloth in the trunk. 10' x 20'' works well with enough left over to secure by "tucking in" various places. Cheap, compact, renewable

[Sunny66]

Originally Posted by dcdoug

California car cover also makes weathersheild covers for cobras. I have one of those two if I'm going on a trip.

All these car covers have a "breathable" component so that the cover can be left on the car for long periods of time without paint damage, mildew, etc. Problem is, there's a tradeoff which is not being 100% waterproof...even the best ones are actually water "resistant". We Cobra owners have a different need, which is TEMPORARY coverage during unexpected heavy downpours.

Here in S Florida, fast moving storm cells come thru with no warning. Go for a drive, park to have lunch, then bam! Heavy thunderstorm rain drenching the Cobra's cockpit that the tonneau cover can't keep the cockpit 100% dry. I'd prefer not to have to deal with bailing out water and stripping out carpets to dry, etc. Just wondering if anyone has found a truly 100% water PROOF cover with a soft underside.

[mikiec]

What's an App?

[SpecOp1]

Found Pigs number....Piggyback covers....678-971-9470....makes exactly what you are looking for...look up Pigfarm70 on factory five forum....Bill

[smallblockhead]

I don't understand this thread. The solution is called a "top" or a "hood" in the King's English. They redirect and concentrate the rainwater into several small streams, but generally keep most of the cockpit dry.

Gary

[Dwight]

I bought a Miata Cockpit cover from a parts store for $60.

Dwight

[Jamo]

I had mentioned golf umbrellas on another thread...two of them, overlapping a bit, will cover the cockpit and the folks in it for quick cover when stopped...easy to store and keep in the trunk. they obviously are nice to have when stopped during a summer cruise or at the track. My wife drew the line on my having a scantily clad umbrella girl tagging along though.

I have a form fitted Shelby cover that keeps all water out, bit I use one of the golf umbrellas (closed) standing vertical next to the tunnel to make a peak in the middle so all water runs off instead of pooling.

I've had many stories on this site in the early days about driving through rain, and even snow and slush over Mt. Rose...the umbrellas worked fine whenever we had a quick stop...just kept them in the passenger side well for quick access. If it's really going to rain and you know it, wear something like a rainproof anorak and put the hood on or the coldest of all cold water will pool in your ass crack from the backwards airflow behind you.

I've got the Wilton wool carpets the Kirkhams put in since day one...I use snaps to hold the footwell floor pieces in place, so pulling them out to dry or to drive without them is easy. They are still in great shape...no damage from the water or fading from the sun. A couple of holes in the floor allows draining.

As others have said...it ain't no big deal. Part of the adventure. I had a great top on the Butler that I had before the Kirkham. Did an ok job...the side window things sucked. Overall, it leaked a bit like a proper English sportscar top should.

I remember renting a first generation Viper in Maui, where if it isn't raining now, it will in five minutes or five miles. Putting that thing's cub scout tent-like top on and off was a pain in the ass, so we finally stopped doing it. The guy at the rental agency laughed...couldn't believe we even tried.

Anybody out there that's worried about a little water is probably too much of a waxer to be out driving in a Cobra anyway as far as I'm concerned. Enjoy the damn things...they're tougher than we are.

[Darth Menace]

Are roof's uncommon? If I get a Cobra I wouldn't mind one. i'd like to keep driving in the rain and not be drenched.

[Jamo]

Depends on where you live.

My Butler came with a top; my Kirkham didn't. Haven't really missed it here in Fresno (rain/wet fog in the winter), but driving it is elective.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Dwight

I bought a Miata Cockpit cover from a parts store for $60.

Dwight

Wouldn't mind seeing a pic of that installed on a Cobra.

[mdross1]

While installing the windshield realized this car might not be too good in the rain.We keep our top on a lot especially on more than a day run.It is stored in the trunk at times when weatherpeople gives us a good forecast.
After the first good washing trying to keep as much water out as possible saw that a couple of drain holes in the floors on both sides was the way to go and no carpeting on the floors at least.Rain is not a big deal now, torrential downpours we try to find shelter till it passes.

[snakebiteforu]

Sudden south Florida downpours and hot summer heat can make a great summer day miserable. Like many others, I always bring along a tonneau and car cover. All the tops for these cars look like s__t. Brought my standard top to a canvas shop and used it as a base pattern to design a better top. Used the same window header bar frame. First thing I did was cut the roof support bars to a shorter height. This was adjusted to my height sitting in the seat. Other changes made the top more water proof. (Not enough room to explain here) The other big change was making the rear window removable. This allows great air movement in the car. The top helps block the hot summer sun and makes the car more enjoyable to drive. If it rains, it takes me a matter of seconds to seal the car. When not using the top, the rear window can be removed and stored flat in the trunk to avoid damage. I have pictures of my car in my profile. Bad news is... I have never seen a top on these cars that looks great. I feel, at least my top is an improvement!
So where in South Florida are you? Where are you getting your car from?
Love to meet up with you sometime? Best Regards, Hal

[CowtownCobra]

Amazon.com: Cobra 54-inch Storm Performance Single Canopy Golf Umbrella, Black/White: Sports & Outdoors

That and/or frogg togs. The car won;t melt. I have proof...

[froggyman]

I am all for any kind of top. I have had three Cobras and all of them have had either a soft top or a hardtop. You see, you never know when you are going to need it. That does not guarantee that you will not get soaked really soaked even though you have one.

Ask my wife Cindy. LET ME TELL YOU A STORY:

After I got my second Cobra, a Unique 289 FIA with a soft top, we were ready and up for our first Unique Shades of The Past get together in Pigeon Forge, TN. MY NEW and beautiful car was immaculate, wire wheels really pretty, trunk full of shiny tools, I am not much of a mechanic but the TOOLS sure looked good in the trunk, and cleaning equipment and two small bags. The Weekend Weather was promising US a beautiful Sunny weekend all weekend, soooo, I left my soft top home. Now my biggest 1st mistake was not telling Cindy that I was going to leave the top home. Why? With such a beautiful Sunny weekend ahead, why bother her with this silly tidbit of information. March ahead sailor. No one will know the difference.

Well, after a beautiful two days at Pigeon Forge, on Saturday night I overheard a couple mentioning that those people heading to Kentucky might get a darn hard downpour at about mid day Sunday, WHAAAAAT? Where that come from?

I did not sleep that night so on Sunday morning we got up early at my own initiative, but my wife was not aware of the impending Downpour heading our way. So I decided to solve the problem, leave by 6 in the morning and avoid the Mid Day crisis, right? No one would get wet, problem solved. Not so fast SAILOR, second mistake was not telling Cindy my real reason for leaving early, she instead insisted angrily to spend some time Sunday morning talking with the other Spouses and saying their goodbyes. "NOW I AM WORRIED, I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL LIKE I AM IN HIGH SCHOOL AND AM ABOUT TO GO DOWN TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AND CONFESS THAT I AM THE ONE THAT TIED LITTLE PAPER BAGS ON THE KITTENS LEGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL YARD AND WATCH THE CAT SHAKE LIKE A MACHINE GUN." We will get soaked, and Cindy is not aware of the Downpour awaiting her across the border into Kentucky. SOONER OR LATER I AM GOING TO HAVE TO CONFESS, BUT NOOO, THIRD BIGGEST MISTAKE.

After a late, late start we are heading North and up to the Kentucky State line when Cindy mentions that the skies are looking dark in the horizon. I said, nervously, nahhh I think we can outrun it, Cindy says, please STOP AND PUT THE SOFT TOP ON THIS DAMN CAR NOW!

4th BIGGEST mistake, I said DON'T WORRY, I am driving around it and we will not get wet anyway. A little further Cindy says "Juan the road ahead looks damp, don't be stubborn and pull over at this gas station and put the soft top on." 5th BIGGEST mistake not confessing right then and there as I was looking for some apartment complex under cover and avoid the rain and then confess.

As we proceed forward Cindy notices water drops on the windshield, NOW I FEEL LIKE AM GETTING CAUGHT WITH MY PANTS AROUND MY ANKLES YOU SEE, and she says "Juan it is going to start..." then a car pulls in front of us at a red light, and the words came out from Cindy... "TO RAIN" as we stopped at the light, it felt like 55 gallons of water dropped on top of Cindy, and I am looking at her and I swear she looks like a WET POODLE ON PROZAC, dang 6th BIGGEST mistake I act and turn the dinky windshield wipers on right away, at which time the WET POODLE ON PROZAK has turned to me with fangs fully displayed and says, WHAAAAAT? ARE YOU KIDDIN??

Finally pulled under cover of a building nearby, and she says "I suppose now you are going to put the top on?" WELL 7TH BIGGEST MISTAKE, I DECIDED I HAD TO CONFESS THAT I COULD NOT BECAUSE I HAD LEFT THE SOFT TOP HOME. At this time the POODLE ON PROZAK LOOKS AND ACTS MORE LIKE A TAZMANIAN DEVIL and tells me... "You knew this and did not tell me all this time? You had a trunkfull of gadgets and shiny tools and no soft top. WHAT KIND ON AN IDIOT YOU THINK...."

You can imagine the rest of the trip home. "I CAN TELL YOU WITH 100% CERTAINTY I WILL NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A TOP. I WILL LEAVE THE GADGETS HOME." It is not fun riding with an excited, and out of control Tazmanian Devil in you Cobra, too close and dangerous for comfort.

Put the top in the trunk first.

[Steve Gallegos]

I took my frame from my soft top and made a bimini top. It attaches to the windshield using bows bought from ERA. They slide into the grove on the top on of the windshield. The back has two straps that attach to the buttons on the car that is used for the regular top. The back and sides are open. It works well up to about 55 mph,then the middle of the top starts to flap. I have plexyglass windows that I made that fit in the doors, with these on I can drive at 65+ without the top flapping. I am going to put another bar across the middle of the top so the top won't flap.I also have wind guards, very fine screen, on and between the two roll bars to stop the wind from coming in the back. Keeps the rain and sun off and keeps the wife happy.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Depends on where you live.

My Butler came with a top; my Kirkham didn't. Haven't really missed it here in Fresno (rain/wet fog in the winter), but driving it is elective.

I thought Kirkham had a "hard top" available but it had to be built with the car.

I thought if you're going to do that just as well get a coupe.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by CowtownCobra

Amazon.com: Cobra 54-inch Storm Performance Single Canopy Golf Umbrella, Black/White: Sports & Outdoors

* * *

Dave...I take it the orange one leaks?

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I thought Kirkham had a "hard top" available but it had to be built with the car.

I thought if you're going to do that just as well get a coupe.

I thought your thoughts answered themselves.