Likewise.....

Baz.

Hi All:

as someone who runs a SAAB C900, I'm rather a sheep in sheep's clothing, here! However I found your very interesting thread because I'm about to replace the rag top on my convertible, and I also want to put a tonneau cover on it. You've no idea how good it is to find a forum where "tonneau" isn't preceded by "truck"!

I've run several sports cars (MGA and TR4) and found the tonneau most useful (cuts down on draughts and increases cabin heat while driving topless in the winter) as well as keeping seats dry during unexpected showers when parked. (I live in Canada)

The SAAB has a two piece top, ie it has an un-zippable rear glass. With the side windows down, I never noticed anything being sucked back into the car through the rear opening; cruising speeds about 135kph.

Both sports cars had similar hoods to those described in the thread, and there are some good links showing different methods of attaching hoods to body.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=umdq...sult&resnum=20
the above link shows tonneau and hoods clips used on Healey 3000 cars

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/...70-softtop.pdf
this link describes the soft top for an MGB, with a steel strengthening strip in a pocket at the rear of the hood/back of the tonneau, that latches into (typically chromed) tonneau/hood retainer fixed clips (no moving parts) on the deck back of the cockpit.

Here are two pics of tonneaux (Healey 3000 and Jag?): http://www.topsonline.com/images/faq/faq10.jpg

This link is to a US supplier of tops for AC Cobra: http://www.topsonline.com/index.php?...modelID=407000

This link is to a US distributor of Vicar Fasteners (including Tenax and black fasteners): http://www.aro2000.com/vicar_fasteners.htm

Hope that some of this might be useful to someone. I've very much enjoyed reading this thread!

Saabreur

Saabreur, I just noticed this on an older thread. I missed it before. Very useful and thank you. I am ordering my tonneau this Friday. Lift-a-dot at each corner and each side of the (almost) centre zip and press studs on the sides. Haarzt Grey cloth is the material.

Merv

Had the tonneau done today. Quite pleased with the result. Very experienced motor trimmers at Maroochydore - Gadenne. Hood and spats are next!

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...nneau_done.jpg

Hi Merv,

Lookin' good.

Cheers

Hey Merv, that looks a million bucks mate, very smart.
You've just made my mind up on what to do there-thanks for the idea :)
Rog



Rog246

Tonneau
 

Merv,

that looks sweet , as my 16 year old son would say!


Can't wait to see the hood and spats.

Mick

Nice!
 

Merv

Looks Great. Did you drill the holes for the clips after painting? What did you do to ensure you didn't take off more paint than required? I did this once, soon after painting and was quite concerned about tearing off a large chunk of colour.

Geof

Thanks guys. It is very well done as these guys know their job.

Yep, all holes drilled after painting and I did the larger ones for the hood mount socket behind the door. Easy really - use some good masking tape on the area and then a small drill bit and work up to the size you want. Use a plastic tube sleeve over the drill bit to control depth so you don't go to far with the drill - if that helps. Remove the tape and clean as a whistle!

The other imperative is to ensure the edges are trimmed with a soft material so as not to damage the paint and that the tonneau/hood does not leave a gap over the rear wheel arches where water can just flow in! Needs an appropriate pattern of fasteners. Lift a Dot posts at all four corners and in the centre. Zip is from a yacht shop.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...tonneau_21.jpg

Merv

An up date for those interested: Gadenne Motor Trimmers did the hood in marine canvas and here are a few pics. The hood still has to be wet and 'set' and have felt edges fitted under the edges but it gives a nice shape and has great rear vision. Almost no flapping at all at 100km/hr.

Merv

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...bs/Hood_31.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...bs/Hood_21.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...bs/Hood_11.jpg

Looks good Merv. Kind of matches the body colour.

Cheers

It does. Was careful to get a nice slope at the rear and a top that was a flat as possible.

Merv

Hood
 

Merv,

Looks great! Neat job

regards

Mick

Nice Job Merv. Looks real good.

Baz

Thanks Mick and Baz. How is the build going Mick?

Merv

Looks beaut Merv, especially the large back window. I seem to remember that you got one of the last sets of hood bows from Snakebite. In shopping around, did you find any other local suppliers for these?

Merv,

I basically have the wiring finished , apart from one wire on the starter button ( then have my auto electrician mate check my work so that the smoke will stay on the inside of the wires), have to fit the fuel filter, and make up a bracket for an idler pulley, to make up for the fact I am not running a power steering pump. Then its start time!!!!

Mick

hey merv,
saw your car at GADENNE,S last friday, car looks fantastic!!
darren

Thanks Sambo - I asked Don P at Snakebite and provided you are not in a hurry he can make up a set for you. They are not cheap but of outstanding quality. I needed a longer set as my car is the 'extended' Harrison. Ask Don and he will get back to you.

Thanks also Darren! Coming from you that is appreciated, as your car is outstanding. Mine is dirty after sitting around for days at the trimmers and elsewhere and deserves a good clean once the hood fully 'sets'. By the way, we should have a Sunshine Coast lunch or breakfast at some stage to see how many are up in this region! I saw 4 Cobras at the Noosa Classic Car Show last week.

Mick - you are getting very close. The check by the autoelectrician is a good idea. Did you get the painting done yet? I have changed my fuel now as I wanted to make sure no rubbish from the new tank was left around. Will look forward to hearing that start!

Merv

Picked my new roof and tonneau colour today
 

After a lot of mind searching, I have picked a triple layered Sonnenland A5 product = Colour / Orion Grey. Just as the car is unique, so will the top and tonneau. The colour of the top and tonneau will match the grey stripes over the body. Should look great against the turquoise duco. I will pot some pics when it is finished.

Baz