GTC Tonneau cover

[giddo]

Calling all GTC owners.

I am in discussion with a supplier of Tonneau covers for GTC, this Co has already supplied one identical to my preferred design, to a RSSOC member some years ago which continues to perform satisfactorily, see attached fotos. The fabric will be mohair, colour black. Budgetary price is expected to be £300 with delivery in January18
If there are any other members interested the supplier has said there would be a discount if he made a batch in one go. I am only asking for expressions of interest at this stage, no commitments.

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Listening – out

Mike Giddens
member No 5332
mikeilex@btinternet.com

[petermisy]

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I already have one for mine, including a top with headrail for when it rains. Will you be including this as an add on?
Article in a past slice shows its design

Peter

[guybetts]

I'm interested.
It's something I've been thinking of getting for a while.

Could do with one today. Aside from the predicated stormy weather, it's okay at the moment, and I'm off to get the GTC MOT'd shortly

[scimjim]

IIRC Bil Simms had one made oop North (now Peter’s) and a couple more were made from that pattern, and Dennis Nicholas had another (almost identical) one made darn Sarf?

[scimjim]

viewtopic.php?f=63&t=8550&hilit=GTC+tonneau

[Geraint SabreGTCse5]

i bought one from a company who were making these and selling them on ebay, it was similar to Peters but it had a "net" rear window, regret letting it go with the last GTC i sold. I would be interested but for me the rear window is too small on the proposed one..

[petermisy]

I do agree with you Geraint, I think the window including the surround looks neater on mine.
And I have to add, I'm not taking credit for that as many know it was all Bill Simms doing including the added roof section. He called it his truckman top.

Peter

[Dennis Nicholas]

That is indeed my GTC trafalgar blue with tonneau from darn sarf.
Peter could we have more info on the Simms design top cover.....photos and how it fits to screen ant roll bar and over door top. I would like a top as would giddo. What issue of slice was the write up....I don't remember seeing it.
The net Window on my one allows full vision rearwards.....you do not see any of the outline in the rear view mirror, but anyway it could be made wider if required for aesthetic looks. The velcro fixings on the B post need to be renewed, which is why the vertical sides are not neatly held in place in the photo. On not so cold days the bit from the tonneau up to the roll bar can be just unbuttoned from the roll bar and will hang down to floor just in front of rear seats. The flaps in the vertical part just go over the top of the bar and in front of it to fasten on two button fasteners on each flap under the roll bar (see previous photos some time ago). That way there is no strain on the flap's fasteners. Also as you can see the B post to B post hem curves upwards to the middle. This will facilitate having a rod (tent pole) going from a central pocket at the hem backwards to sit on top of the folded hood so forming a ridge, front to back in the middle thus allowing for rain to run off at each side and not puddle in the middle.

Dennis

[petermisy]

Dennis
It was in Slice 258 July/August 2014. The top involves the acquisition of a spare soft top head rail......unfortunately that's your starter for ten!
it then velcros to the rear part which on this one goes fully over the roll bar and then fixes under with studs the same as yours.

I do actually like the idea of a fibreglass tent pole to raise the centre slightly to shed rain and I may look at doing this but side to side not fore to aft. However, I try not to take it out in the rain too much.

I may try and fit it at the weekend and take some photos, it is good for this time of year.

Peter

[petermisy]

Top on

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[giddo]

Thanks very much Peter the pictures are very explanatory thay also answer the other question I had which was about the material of the window which is sheet plastic not a mesh as I had envisaged. I know from experience that a mesh is perfectly satisfactory from the point of keeping the cold draft to acceptable levels. I now also am of the opinion that a larger window than on Dennis's, more like yours, would look better. I note that there are press studs om the "B" post, is the velcro not suffiecent / satisfactory ? Your use of a hood front rail is cunning can I assume that with your design the top cover is well fixed enough to allow motoring at speed with it in place ?

[petermisy]

Thanks very much Peter the pictures are very explanatory thay also answer the other question I had which was about the material of the window which is sheet plastic not a mesh as I had envisaged. I know from experience that a mesh is perfectly satisfactory from the point of keeping the cold draft to acceptable levels. I now also am of the opinion that a larger window than on Dennis's, more like yours, would look better. I note that there are press studs om the "B" post, is the velcro not suffiecent / satisfactory ? Your use of a hood front rail is cunning can I assume that with your design the top cover is well fixed enough to allow motoring at speed with it in place ?

Mike, The window is plastic the same as the normal softop, Snug and warm for the colder weather with heater on. The press studs on the B post just keep the edge looking neat. not sure if they are absolutely necessary, but you could try without and add after. They do not affect the use of softop in any way.

Not actually used it at high speeds on, but Bill added two press studs on the top of the inner door frame for that reason should they be needed. But you then have to remember to undo them prior to opening door.

I still have it fitted, if I get a chance I will try it before the weekend

Peter

[giddo]

Thank you peter for your explainations. I will be adding a further post about my plans soon

[giddo]

Tonneau progress :-
The supplier is http://www.westcountrytrimmers.co.uk/ - sited just west of Exeter. The man to speak to is Guy Broom 01 626 833722. Guy has set aside some production time in Janurary 2018 and I plan to visit him on Thuresday 25th when he will make a pattern from my car.
See posts above, I will be asking for a design very similar to that on A24EPB with the larger rear 'window' and attached to the "T" bar as on the blue car except I will go for a mesh window not solid sheet material.
For other buyers who cannot get to Devon Guy says the job of siteing and fitting the press studs is a DIY job and he can supply the studs and a stud riviting kit. Thus you can order & have delivery buy post.
So please contact Guy if you fancy one, and we can get some club group buying power going.

[Andreas H.]

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Nothing for us - but something like the 3 position solution on my TVR S-Type would be nice