Here are the differences in tonneau covers that I've noticed. If any of
these features are important to you, you will want to inquire of the
vendor.
Steering wheel pocket - you'd think this would be standard, but I just
saw one without it. Makes for a big stretchy bulge. If you have a dished
"sport" style wheel it may not fit the original pocket very well,
although you may be able to compensate for it by snap placement during
installation.
Headrest pockets - the pros and cons have been discussed on this thread.
Snapdown flaps - these are those rectangular flaps with two snaps each
located roughly above the seat cushions. Their purpose is to snap down to
the front edge of the battery compartment when you are driving. This
pulls the cover taut against the tonneau bar and keeps it from flapping,
as well as keeping stuff stowed behind the seats from blowing around.
Some have 'em, some don't. I like 'em, myself.
Shoulder belt access zippers - some model years had the shoulder belts
attached to big chrome studs on the rear deck. To use the tonneau and the
shoulder belt together with these models requires an extra zipper in the
cover, near the back-of-the-door-edge zipper that they all have. You may
be able to get an upholstery shop to add this later.
Materials:
The Vicky Brit cover I bought is made of a very heavily textured, stiff
vinyl. The material is very tough and has held up for 10 years, but the
zippers blew 1-2-3 last fall. Don't install these too tight because the
vinyl doesn't stretch much at all. It also doesn't roll up very well,
making a bulky package.
I also have an old cover (1969 vintage?) found in the trunk of a car in
storage. It is a much more supple, smooth finish vinyl, which I have been
told is typical of British-made covers. It is relatively easy to stretch.
This one doesn't have snapdown flaps, and the steering wheel pocket is in
a slightly different location.
Hope this helps...
Dan Ray had this to say:
>I bought mine from Moss during the Spring sale they had last year -- don't
>know if they're planning another sale this year. I also don't know if
>there's much difference in the makers (unlike top/hood makers) unless you
>want some funky color other than black. You still have to install all the
>LTDs etc. for proper fit. See my article that Skye put up on his site
>(Thanks Skye!) at: http://www.mgb.bc.ca/howto/tonneau.html for a list of
>stuff you'll need to do the install and how-to.
>
>Dan
>73 B
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kevin C. Rarick <krarick@nextphase.com>
>To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
>Date: Thursday, June 17, 1999 12:39 PM
>Subject: Tonneau cover
>
>
>>Hello All -
>>
>>With all this chat about tonneau covers lately (nice weather) I'm reminded
>>that I need to purchase one for my 67B. Can anyone make a recommendation on
>>what is the best one to get and the best place to get it?
>>
>>Many thanks in advance,
>>Kevin Rarick
>>67B
>>
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
Runs great,
looks particularly bad since some SUV clown backed into it.
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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