ERA Tonneau Cover

Gunner · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Is the ERA tonneau finished except for placement of the snap buttons?

Has anyone compared cost/quality between the ERA tonneau and one from a good custom upholstery shop? If you have an ERA cover, what about it would you prefer to be different/better?

cobrajeff · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:55 AM

My ERA tonneau cover came finished except for location of the snaps. I took measurements off a buddy's original 427 Cobra to get the pattern for the top/tonneau cover lift-a-dots.

Because I had laid-back my windshield, modified my top to fit the windshield angle, and modified my roll bar to add a rear brace, my stock ERA tonneau cover was not going to fit right. The ERA guys were very accomodating, and exchanged the cover for one they custom made to fit my car. I took an old bedsheet and drew the pattern I wanted on it, (including cut-outs for the unique roll bar configuration) and sent it to them. They made up a new tonneau that was longer than their standard piece, and had zippers and velcro closures in it to fit perfectly around my roll bar.

I didn't price another source for a Cobra tonneau cover, however, I recently had a tonneau cover professionally made for a '57 T-Bird I was restoring, and I think the ERA tonneau cover was a better quality piece.

regards,

Jeff

strictlypersonl · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:16 AM

The ERA tonneau is not only finished, it's got a zipper, lots of Velcro'd slots, bumps and holes for the roll bar (if you have one). It also has a storage bag.
Cheap for what you get.

tboneheller · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:22 AM

My ERA tonneau cover did not have the snaps attached, but it did have "dots " marked on it as to where the snaps are supposed to go if you installed the posts on the car correctly. All of the marks lined up with the posts. It went together very easily. I can't remember the cost, but I know it was worth the money.

speed220mph · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:29 AM

I've learned over time that it's wise to use ERA supplied parts on your ERA cars because of quality, originality, response time and fit. That's been my experience. Such is the case with the tonneau cover. If the cost of a part or assembly happens to be more, you only cry once.

WarrenG · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:15 AM

The quality of the fitted tonneau that ERA supplied me is equal to or better than anything else I've seen from a custom "Top Shop." As for price, I think I paid $600 for it in 2007 including installation of the "snaps." The tonneau that I had custom made to fit my MG, including cutouts for the roll bar cost me about $200 in 1975. I'd say the ERA tonneau was pretty reasonably priced considering that 32 years had passed between the two.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 08:42 AM

Does the tonneau:

1) Keep rain out well if you're accidentally caught in a deluge? Or does it leak a lot?

2) Keep rain out in a light/medium rain while driving?

3) How long does it honestly and truthfully take to put on the tonneau? (it taks me a good 15 minutes to get my damn top up, so I carry a canvas tarp in the trunk in case I'm caught in a downpour)

4) And when driving, does it get in the way of your right arm while shifting? Or is it comfortable to drive with it on?

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 04:12 PM

TTT -- maybe somebody has some answers?

ERA Chas · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

TTT -- maybe somebody has some answers?

I do but you'll think I'm making them up...

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

I do but you'll think I'm making them up...

You're actually beginning to sprout a clever sense of humor.

Gunner · #11 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 04:55 PM

Does Accel make tonneaus? As long as they aren't from MSD or Holley, I'm good...

(Seriously, the latter half of my question was pretty stupid. I *know* ERA's stuff is at least as good as anyone else's, and - for ERA's, at least - usually best. And I can set my own snaps without having to have 707 go live in some upholstery shop for a week...)

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:02 PM

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

Gunner · #13 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau.

How many were (1) roadsters that you (2) drove in or with the expectation of rainy weather and (3) cared about enough not to soak the interior and (4) didn't have another alternative like a soft top?

I would like to drive 707 in iffy weather and make it home without having to dry the whole interior if I judge wrong. (We don't have a completely "winter" season here during which summer toys hibernate.) I'd also like the ability to seal up the interior against dust, dirt, small animals, children, etc.

Quote:

I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

FWIW, I judged your post as more rhetorical than questioning. You might also give the crowd more than two hours to answer.

ERA Chas · #14 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

I immediately developed that sense of humor when I saw those two appendages sprouting from your car.

Pat et al-forget driving with the cover in place. Above 40 mph it wants to beat the scheiss out of your paint and tear itself off the car. Not good for your mounting studs.

It's best purpose is to keep the interior covered when parked. Keeps out falling leaves, debris and glomy hands.
Also keeps the sun's UV off your wool and leather.

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Pat et al-forget driving with the cover in place. Above 40 mph it wants to beat the scheiss out of your paint and tear itself off the car. Not good for your mounting studs ... It's best purpose is to keep the interior covered when parked. Keeps out falling leaves, debris and glomy hands..

That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks.

Got the Bug · #16 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

ERA Chas · #17 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

And have you driven with it and found different results from mine?

And yes it would leak-it's not designed to keep water out

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

Thanks Doug. I remember another thread from a couple of years ago where someone was complaining that the wind-whipping effect scratched up the car a good bit. My ERA soft top seems to have kind of fuzzy felt backing to prevent that, I think, so I wonder if the tonneau is the same way. I carry the soft top in the trunk, I keep the side curtains down in the basement.

If I bought a tonneau I would keep it in the trunk and put the soft top in the basement as well. The damn thing takes me 15 minutes to put up, my thumbs ache for days after doing it, and I always think I'm going to break the windshield.

Got the Bug · #19 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

And have you driven with it and found different results from mine?

And yes it would leak-it's not designed to keep water out

I took if for a quick (~40 Mph) spin once and my experience was the same as yours

I got caught in a light rain a couple of times, and at freeway speed you don't get that wet. I've never even pulled the soft top or side curtains out the bag.

The times that really I found it handy, was when it was 100+ degrees out and the car was parked outside.

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The times that really I found it handy, was when it was 100+ degrees out and the car was parked outside.

I keep a white sheet in the trunk for that -- it works great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I've never even pulled the soft top or side curtains out the bag.

They actually look pretty cool.