soft top

Cobradad · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 05:46 PM

Alright. I've been thinking of buying a soft top for the car. I want to try and make the car as usable as I can by extending my driving season. I bought the car in December and had about 4 30 min drives in 35 degree weather. I was thinking of heated seats, a heater and soft top. I've read side curtains for an ERA are tough to come by? Well I'm doing 75 mph on the way to Carlisle with my wife and it dawns on me that at that speed, without side curtains I would probably tear the soft top off the car. In the forum's infinite wisdom, what's my best bet here. What's the experience of other owners. Thanks.

DanEC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 05:53 PM

I'm not sure the soft top, even with side curtains, is rated to stay on at 75 mph. But, I'm in the same boat as you. I figure the only way I will get my allergy suffering and sun avoiding wife to go for a ride in this thing is with a soft top. I have a top and side curtains on order with ERA. Fortunately I'm still in the pre-paint stage so I can go ahead and fit it without worrying about paint issues.

*13* · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 07:35 PM

The top & side curtains from ERA work fine. Have them installed by a professional or ERA (Better). As for heated seats or even a heater, good Idea if you plan to drive in the cold, not sure what cold is anymore

tboneheller · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 05:36 AM

My soft top has been sitting in a box for the past 15 years waiting to be fitted to the car. I guess I can use it as a cover for my gas grill.

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobradad

Alright. I've been thinking of buying a soft top for the car. I want to try and make the car as usable as I can by extending my driving season. I bought the car in December and had about 4 30 min drives in 35 degree weather. I was thinking of heated seats, a heater and soft top. I've read side curtains for an ERA are tough to come by? Well I'm doing 75 mph on the way to Carlisle with my wife and it dawns on me that at that speed, without side curtains I would probably tear the soft top off the car. In the forum's infinite wisdom, what's my best bet here. What's the experience of other owners. Thanks.

I've found that without the side windows in, the wind noise is tremendous, only slightly better with the side curtains installed

...........After riding around in a friends car, I firmly believe heated seats are going to be in my next Cobra build.....Even if I have a heater installed.......Finally, with our without the side curtains in, the top will be good to about 75mph, then flaps a round just a bit, enough to move the top of the windshield a quarter inch or so which makes me nervous that I might crack the windshield.....A windshield center post would eliminate some of this movement.........

Bill S.

DonC · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 07:52 AM

Going on my 7th season with the soft top and side curtains. I've driven with it on in heavy enough rain that all I could see of other cars was a ball of spray. Couldn't even see the other car until I was next to it.
Only very minor leaks inside but, being as it's a replica of a British sports car, by law it has to leak some. Nothing a hand towel couldn't handle.
Have had the car up to 90 in a short spurt with no ill effects with the side curtains installed. Wouldn't recommend running over 50 without the side curtains installed.
I have a heater and have driven the car in temps down to 35 with the top and side curtains and been more than comfortable. Once the engine is good and warm only run the heater blower for short periods because is can get too warm if it's on constantly.
Also have heated seats and they make for a comfortable ride down to about 50 degrees but you'll need something for your ears at that temp due to wind chill. Never have needed them with the top on.
Being from the northwest we get our share of wet weather in the winter and the top and side curtains have extended my driving season by at least a month. Since our normal driving season is a little over 3 months that's a noticeable improvement.
Now if I could just figure out how to keep road splash from cooking on the side pipes I'd really be in high cotton.
DonC

windy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 08:57 PM

I had a beautiful top and side curtains made 4 years ago. Put them on once, drove 4 blocks, never put them back on. Visibility was dangerous and all I could picture was the top blowing off. I look at the top like the umbrella in my golf bag; if I need to use it I probably should not be out there anyway...

*13* · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 09:03 PM

Just the opposite, top never comes off. I'd feel naked w/o it. Love the way it looks & feels. Enclosed like a sportscar, yet you still get all the nastiness of a racecar.

Cobradad · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the valuable info. I hate not taking the car to work because there is a chance of rain, so the soft top and side curtains sound like a good investment.
Anyone use some one other than ERA and have they been happy with the results?

Rickd · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 03:23 PM

I am ordering (trying to order hardware from Peter) a soft top for use as a sun screen. Considering - on receipt - having half of the rear window cut into a "roll up" with velcro - so air can pass right through and not put pressure on the winshield. Was not planning on getting side curtains as the primary interest is simply sun protection - Florida sun is nasty, and my skin cancer ... just dosen't like it!!

mickmate · #11 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 03:39 PM

I have put a few soft tops on now. I think they look sharp as well as being very functional and convenient. They do flap a bit at speed but I find they are fine at reasonable highway speeds.

Cobra446 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 04:34 PM

Top and side curtains on my ERA (installed and fitted by ERA) work perfectly at any speed. And do make a big difference in cold weather.

Jim Holden · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2011, 01:30 PM

I've used the soft top and side curtains on ERA289 3001 and they (with the heater) truly make it a three season car. It would be a four season car but for the road salt...

Jim