Hoods and Tonneau covers

[Merv and Sharon]

I am lookind for some advice on tonneau covers and hoods. First what is the best material for these? I seem to be getting lots of varying advice.

Second, I am thinking that the same clips/posts should be used for both, where possible - clip on windows are third consideration in the future. I was actually thinking of using the black 'button' clips instead of the chrome 'posts', if possible. They seem to blend in better.

Any suggestions and pics would be most appreciated!

Merv

[Krait]

Hi Merv,

My wife is meeting up with the upholstery guy tomorrow. I have similar questions. I think at this stage we'll just go for a tonneau cover, but I'd like to see the options on a full hood.

Cheers

[Merv and Sharon]

I will be interested to see what happens Geoff. I dropped in at Abingdon Motors in Brisbane today - they have been MG dealers and restorers since the 40's, and asked who did their hoods and especially which materials they use. I have a contact to follow up there.

Still keen to hear or see how others have integrated the hood and tonneau cover clips and what sort of clips were used.

Merv

[Krait]

Merv,

Leanne met with the upholsterer at Warwick's this morning. She was pretty happy with what he had to say, plus he's only just up the road from home.

Have PM'd you.

Got some new photos of the car as well.

Also woke to an email this morning saying the wheels are now enroute from California.

A good day all round

Cheers

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Geoff. This is a not such a popular topic as it does not involve engines or gearboxes!!!

I found a company that has been making and importing fabrics for soft tops and tonneaus for 40 years and the selection of the right fabric is important. Will PM details to you.

Your wheels are on the way! I may turn the motor over this weekend, as all seems in readiness.

Cheers

Merv

[gjkrv8]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Thanks Geoff. This is a not such a popular topic as it does not involve engines or gearboxes!!!

I found a company that has been making and importing fabrics for soft tops and tonneaus for 40 years and the selection of the right fabric is important. Will PM details to you.

Your wheels are on the way! I may turn the motor over this weekend, as all seems in readiness.

Cheers

Merv

Merv - keep this thread going I too am interested in how you go regarding soft tops. Living in Melb I will need one - although lately with about 1mm of rain for a month and a half I thinking twice about this.

Merv - good luck with engine start - grab the video camera as it is a great feeling you want to capture. Its like a male verison of giving birth - without the excruciating pain

Rgds

Gregg

[sambo]

Gregg, speak to Tony Cram (club president) for a contact I believe in Moorabbin. They use Merc or BMW cloth and he speaks highly of their work. I have an email somewhere on the topic, will see if I can dig it up.

Merv, best of luck with the 'birth'.

[stephen low]

Gregg

Not sure about your last disclaimer above on male engine starting if you have to correct major mistakes with oodles of cash!!

I too am interested in any details on fabrics as I will get at least a soft top for all year round driving options.

Cheers

Steve

[Heidelberg]

I'm conscious of not wanting to hijack your thread Merv, but I'm really curious to know how many Cobra drivers actually use their soft tops?

Perhaps CC members who do use their soft tops/tonneau covers could share how much they use them as well as the materials and fixing methods?

Personally, I have not used either yet, but then, I've only been driving my cobra for 3 months or so!

I honestly cannot see me ever using the soft top, but I may use the tonneau cover if I was to park and leave the car for long periods?

The Superformance Cobra uses the chrome post type of fastener similar to the type you see on most old British sports cars or on old Ausssie ute tonneau's! The material is just good quality thick vinyl with a softer material backing on it.

fyi...I did a quick Google search on tonneau fasteners and came across a pretty good looking black chrome fastener called a "Tennax" fastener on the following website http://www.eagleday.com/tefaforpo.html

Regards.....Paul

[Merv and Sharon]

Good one Paul! The black chrome fastener is exactly like the one I have been shown. Looks neat and does not catch on everything. I am planning on using that. The Merc cloth mentioned above, I had on my 280SL a few years ago and it was brilliant. Kind of canvas-based with a water proof inner layer. In Queensland summers - well with the heat and at times torrential rain some kind of a top is useful. I am leaning towards a tonneau first as it goves some sun and rain protection, visual protection of the interior when parked and can be used on one side when driving (if it is made and attached well).

Thinking about a hard top eventually - one that can be just lifted off - again similar to the old 280 SL.

I will have more definitive info on fabrics tomorrow.

Merv

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Thanks Geoff. This is a not such a popular topic as it does not involve engines or gearboxes!!!

I found a company that has been making and importing fabrics for soft tops and tonneaus for 40 years and the selection of the right fabric is important. Will PM details to you.

Your wheels are on the way! I may turn the motor over this weekend, as all seems in readiness.

Cheers

Merv

Sorry Merv, I am watching but I have no comments at all as I dont have any on my car and there are no more out here I can look at to pass coments.

As Gregg has said, dont just drop th ethread, as there are others watching and listening.

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Thinking about a hard top eventually - one that can be just lifted off - again similar to the old 280 SL.

Merv, how's this for a hard top!







They're made in the UK. More info here.

[Tony Cram]

Merv,

I used the Tenax type (some people refer to them as "lift a dot" I think?) as they lock down on the pin. You need to lift the button to release, it is more secure particularly when you are doing 100Kph IMO. The roof can bellow quite a bit at speed. The Tenax clips do stand out and the black option looks the goods from the link above if you want to blend them in.

I used Mercedes cloth for my roof. Yes, it is more expensive but the quality and finish suit the car. I have zip in side curtains which work well and I dont expect to get the car waterproof anyway. There are other options like SAAB and BMW cloth and quality is similar.

Here's an old picture of my car just after the roof was finished. I could send some photos with some closer shots of the roof and the side curtains if you want.



Gregg,

There are several trimmers I can recommend to you and some have done many cobra's in Melbourne. The guy (Chris O'Shea - Moorabbin) I used had a lot of experience and a good reputation as a trimmer, but he had not done a cobra before (So I took a bit of a chance and made sure he took his time) My roof turned out excellent and am very happy with it. It has been used on a number of occasions even in the current climate. You will be surprised that it can be fine in Melbourne but head down the coast or somewhere and if you get caught with rain you can simply put the roof on. I have made my own bags for the roof, side curtains and roof bows that pack neatly in the boot.

Cheers


Tony

[Heidelberg]

I'm with you Merv on the "hard top" vs "soft top" option....I was lucky enough to ride up to the Cobra Nationals last year from Melbourne with Cameron Parsons in his Superformance with the "Hard Top" and Air Conditioning on...now that was luxury Cobra motoring!

Cameron, do you have photo of your hard top that you could share?

Regards.....Paul

[Rebel1]

Given that the Beijing Chapter may be otherwise occupied I'll stand in for Cameron and post some pics of his car.





Really nice looking hardtop.

[Cameron Parsons]

Thanks Les,

here is a more recent photo. It is a great hard top and has been used for 1000's of k's, and has been tested at speed - yes, on a track.



It took some tweaking to get watertight, but now it's good in any weather. If you can, go for AC with the Hardtop, because in foul weather the screen fogs up and the AC clears it in an instant.


Cameron

[Heidelberg]

Hey Cameron....You could have at least posted a photo of your hardtop with your new 18 inch wheels on your car!!

Just out of interest, do you use your tonneau cover very often?

Regards....Paul

[Krait]

Originally Posted by Cameron Parsons

If you can, go for AC with the Hardtop, because in foul weather the screen fogs up and the AC clears it in an instant.
Cameron

Aircon? Bugger..... I didn't tick that option box

Cheers

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Boxhead. This is now developing into a useful resource for others too. Thanks also Sambo and Paul. The "lift a dot" fasteners are the ones of choice and the MB cloth is the best it seems. I am going for a good quality tonneau at first. I like the long, lift-back version of the hard top. Was that in the UK? I seem to think I have seen that one about 18 months ago.

Cameron's is really nice, however - and water tight too! I am not sure if one is available yet for the Harrison but someone has to start that development I guess. For my old MB 280SL I just had a small hoist on the garage ceiling to pull it up and store it.

Merv

[Cameron Parsons]

Geoff.

the option tick box is on the right side of the cheque book, just above your signature

Cameron