I don't think it's much of an engineering challenge - they just put in a
zipper and a fabric flap to cover it so it's protected from the weather.
The rest of the top doesn't look especially well thought out compared to my
old Robbins top. I've got to believe that others could do at least as well
- if not better. I had contacted a couple of manufacturers and got the
impression that it's a more of bother than they figure it's worth. Maybe
they just don't have a good sense of the demand out there.
Dean
-----Original Message-----
From: Ted [mailto:triumph66@gmail.com]
Sent: Wed 10/5/2005 9:36 PM
To: Dean Mericas
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: TR4 top update
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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