Dean,
Thanks very much for the update. I think all tops should be offered with a
zippered option, assuming one doesn't seek absolute orginality, but instead
comfort. A few months back, Robbins told me that a zippered top on a TR4
convertible top frame was impossible, given its sans header design.
Obviously the UK firm below figured out a way to do it, though not without
introducing other faults.
Perhaps someone should send a Don's Trim TR4 top to Robbins in CA, EZ-ON in
South Carolina to perfect::!!
Ted Liberti
On 10/4/05, Dean Mericas <dmericas@limno.com> wrote:
>
> I thought it would be good to report back on the issues I had with a TR4
> convertible top with zippered back window that I purchased recently.
>
> As you may recall, I was concerned that the design didn't include the
> hooks
> that attach to either top corner of the windshield frame, or the
> tensioning
> strap that goes along the top of the side window opening. In spite of
> these
> concerns, and with a $50 discount offered by the vendor for my grief, I
> decided to keep and install the top.
>
> This past weekend I drove in the America's British Reliability Run, a
> great
> event that Blake Discher has been organizing for three years now. Driving
> rain on Sunday gave me the opportunity to try the top out under miserable
> conditions. Much as I feared, the fit around the side windows was very
> loose, and the side sealing along the back edges of the windows actually
> routed water down on the shoulders of the driver and passenger. OTOH, the
> zippered rear window made a big difference in keeping the car from getting
> too stuffy after the rain stopped.
>
> So, bottom line is that the top fits well except for the significant
> deficiency in the side window surround design, and the zippered rear
> window
> is a benefit. I rarely drive in the rain, so I can live with it, even
> though the side window openings are a little "goofy" looking to my eye.
>
> For reference, this top is manufactured by Don's Trim in the UK. I bought
> it through The Little British Car Company.
>
> Dean Mericas
> 1965 TR4
> 1974 2000 GTV
>
--
T.L.L.
1966 TR4A CTC 73139 LO
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