Progress on #782

[Jim Holden]

Having driven 250 miles or so in our ERA 289 in a torrential rain (a year ago Oct. 30th) there are a couple of observations my wife and I would make about the effectiveness of AC Cobra style (Conestoga Wagon technology) top:

1. When the car was in motion, the rain went up the windshield and found a way through/under the windshield top bow. The navigator's job was to slow down the torrent with paper towels. The standard gasket does not go all the way across, nor does it meet the windshield to properly seal the gap.

2. Water also found its way down the windshield posts and dripped on to our respective thighs (left or right, as the case may be, dependent on seating arrangement).

3. There is a small gap between the body and the bottom curve of the windshield gasket where the curve of the hood meets the curve of the fenders that allows a minor influx of the tide. Again, a roll of paper towels kept things at bay... mostly.

We put our luggage and ourselves into hefty garbage bags, which kept almost everything dry. Best advice? Get a wet suit.

...and while it really has nothing to do with the top, the passenger side windshield wiper flew off somewhere near Deal's Gap.

Now, the top is helpful (along with the "dog's breath" heater and side curtains) for the evening drive home in late October and November when the temperature is dropping.

But for a long drive in the rain? You might just as well leave it down.

The trip in the rain up through western Virginia is not something I would wish to repeat.

Jim

PS: ...and the interior of the car did dry out, eventually.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Having driven 250 miles or so in our ERA 289 in a torrential rain (a year ago Oct. 30th) there are a couple of observations my wife and I would make about the effectiveness of AC Cobra style (Conestoga Wagon technology) top:

1. When the car was in motion, the rain went up the windshield and found a way through/under the windshield top bow. The navigator's job was to slow down the torrent with paper towels. The standard gasket does not go all the way across, nor does it meet the windshield to properly seal the gap.

2. Water also found its way down the windshield posts and dripped on to our respective thighs (left or right, as the case may be, dependent on seating arrangement).

3. There is a small gap between the body and the bottom curve of the windshield gasket where the curve of the hood meets the curve of the fenders that allows a minor influx of the tide. Again, a roll of paper towels kept things at bay... mostly.

We put our luggage and ourselves into hefty garbage bags, which kept almost everything dry. Best advice? Get a wet suit.

...and while it really has nothing to do with the top, the passenger side windshield wiper flew off somewhere near Deal's Gap.

Now, the top is helpful (along with the "dog's breath" heater and side curtains) for the evening drive home in late October and November when the temperature is dropping.

But for a long drive in the rain? You might just as well leave it down.

The trip in the rain up through western Virginia is not something I would wish to repeat.

Jim

PS: ...and the interior of the car did dry out, eventually.

Good post Jim. I don't anticipate driving the car in the rain - I don't need more danger than I'll get on dry roads. Not sure if I went to this effort in case a rainy drive did arise or just to help keep water out of the cockpit when washing the car - but, I did put my box of 3M strip caulking to good use.

I also ran a ribbon around the windshield posts where they enter the body and also under the aluminum plates. I also put about a 3 or 4 inch strip under the windshield weatherstrip, across those two valleys that you mentioned, to dam them off.

I haven't gotten to the top header bow at the windshield yet. I plan to put some soft, foam weather stripping in there but it may be of marginal use. I think one of the best things to keep in the trunk is a roll of 1-1/2 inch blue tape. Probably run a strip across the header bow at the top of tbe windshield. Once in the car with the door shut, put another strip over the front door seam near the base of the windshield posts - inside and outside the side curtains (that may take some dexterity through the side window opening).

Then hope for the best or drive faster.

[patrickt]

That will work about as well as an...

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Not sure if I went to this effort in case a rainy drive did arise or just to help keep water out of the cockpit when washing the car - but, I did put my box of 3M strip caulking to good use.

Don't wash your car. Ever. It will look like a hologram. You'll rag-scratch that black in a year.
A duster and spray detailer with microfiber. Don't wax it either.
My paint is 22 years old and is just starting to tire.
Oh and you can't drive fast in the rain-no traction to accelerate or brake.
Happy you built it now?

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Don't wash your car. Ever. It will look like a hologram. You'll rag-scratch that black in a year.
A duster and spray detailer with microfiber. Don't wax it either.
My paint is 22 years old and is just starting to tire.
Oh and you can't drive fast in the rain-no traction to accelerate or brake.
Happy you built it now?

Actually I don't wash my old cars. I painted the Corvette in 1994 and it's never been wet. I washed my GTX maybe once in 12 years. Sometimes after dusting it off I mist it lightly with a hose and dry off. I do wash the Lightning but it actually doesn't leak anywhere. California Duster, Detailer Spray and Microfiber towels for me too.