Soft top?

LodiWino · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 06:47 AM

My wife remembers our last sports car, a TR4, and how cold it got coming home late a night.

The subject came up again this weekend as we drove through the cold redwoods north of San Francisco. When she found out I did not order a soft top, she said she had no aspirations of freezing to death coming home from a weekend in the Cobra.

I rarely see a Cobra with a soft top, and besides ruining the aesthetics of one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, their reputation is to be drafty, noisy and leaky.

Not wanting to trade one problem for another, is the soft top worth it? Or, is the best solution to just dress warm enough to endure the arctic blast!

CobERA · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 07:11 AM

I have one, and you are right. They are drafty, noisy and leaky. Also, visibility is considerably reduced.

I rarely use mine, and when I do it is for protection (mostly) from rain, not necessarily cold. Also, for protection from cold it is not worth much unless you also have a heater (which I do).

Nonetheless, I think it is a worthwhile option.

cdnus · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 07:23 AM

Yes all the above + a real PIA to install w/side curtains & more difficult in & out of car.
BUT I would not be without it in the cold weather, I can drive in a sweatshirt in extremely cold weather where I would park the car without.
It extends my driving season approx. 2 months.

Craig

terry mason · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 08:07 AM

I agree with the above comments. We drive our Cobra a LOT about 5000 miles a year, the top is only up when it is wet or cold and yes it is a pain to put up (really take about 5min.) It does keep you wamer and somewhat drier.
Terry

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 09:02 AM

I find the sideways visibility to be quite intimidating with the top installed. You will have to become a contortionist to get in and out, and the noise from the sidepipes is amplified considerably due to the enclosure, even without side curtains.
In my situation (6' 1") I have to drop my head and lean forward to peer under the side window opening for any sort of visability. It makes merging into traffic and right turns a little unnerving.

cdnus · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 03:05 PM

LodiWino

You live in California!!

"ARTIC BLAST" How cold can it get?????

Craig

Michael C Henry · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 03:18 PM

I had a 56 Bristle and it had a soft top. Itr wasn't thast hard to put up. It came in handy in Iowa and Washington state. Yes it was harder to get in and out. Yes It was harder to see out of. But I could not have used the car otherwise. I now have a Cobra replica. It is an older EM and it came from Nevada=no top. I intend on getting a top installed on this car in the future. My bigest problem is the windsheild is leaned back more than standard and top and side curtains will need some reworking. Life is full of trade offs.

Got the Bug · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 03:33 PM

LodiWino -

The soft top that came with my SPF is securely stored in the garage. Too much of PITA to put it on when you want it, so I don't even carry it in the car.

Get your wife a 12v electric blanket. Works like a charm and she'll have a big smile on her face during those chilly drives.

I think I bought it from SmartHome

http://www.smarthome.com/9209/12V-El...Blanket/p.aspx

Target also sells one:

http://www.target.com/Wagan-12V-Elec.../dp/B000P7M6UK

WarrenG · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

I find the sideways visibility to be quite intimidating with the top installed. You will have to become a contortionist to get in and out, and the noise from the sidepipes is amplified considerably due to the enclosure, even without side curtains.
In my situation (6' 1") I have to drop my head and lean forward to peer under the side window opening for any sort of visability. It makes merging into traffic and right turns a little unnerving.

I agree with these comments plus it is a PITA to put up. Bought one with the car and have only had it on three times, one of those times was just to familiarize myself with how to put it on. Otherwise I have never used it. For cold I just put on more layers. For rain, just drive faster to send the rain over your head! Side curtains do greatly decrease the wind buffet and also help a little with the cold.

428street · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 06:35 PM

Life is to short. Buy a top, side curtains and make your wife happy. It keeps the peace, makes her happy and you might even get lucky!

If it only take five minutes to install or even if it takes ten, that is a no braiiner to keep your wife happy.

I honestly think the car looks awesome with the top on. Just my opinion. I have a street car but I don't think it matters.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 06:49 PM

When I took the car for the last ride of 2008 before putting it away until spring I put the top up. It was about 45 degrees and it took me 20 minutes; my thumbs were numb for days from the lift-a-dots. A soft top and side curtains are not a cheap option, but they do provide a little fun once or twice a year. I carry a light canvas tarp in the trunk just in case I get caught in the rain.

frdfver · #12 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 07:32 PM

My first car was a 57 MGA, I enjoyed having a top not only for the cold and rain but also the sun. I remember many times getting cooked by the sun on long drives or trips when the top was off. So I am putting a top on my car........and a heater.