Hood arrived

Hood bits arrived today.

Clockwise from top left: hood, ‘rough-cut’ side screens, hood bows,
GRP  sections for rear, hood frames, window seal, fixings.

These are the bits I bought. The side screens are described as rough-cut, but are straight Perspex with indicative instructions written on. The GRP pieces also have instructions written on them. Fitting instructions were sent separately by email. All looks straight forward .... famous last words.

Now it’s just to fit!

Hood ordered

After many month’s of struggling to get weather gear. I have finally been able to place an order with GD for a hood. In total the full soft top kit is a staggering £1,700, plus delivery, no doubt plus glues and some other tools as well. I had expected more like £1,000! The reason I have decided to buy it is to make the car more usable, since I have only done around 2,500 miles in two and a half years!

The hood is a fold down type, so it can stay on the car when not up.

The kit comprises:

• Black fabric hood
• Hood frame
• Rod ends and linkages
• Over centre catches
• Bows to attach to screen
• GRP surround
• Fixings etc

Included in the price above are Perspex side screens, rubber seals, catches and hinges. I have only ordered the side screens and rubber seals at this point, in addition to the hood kit. The hinges will come from the wind wings and I will decide what to do about the catches once I can assess what is needed to secure the screens when used with the hood down.

The side screens are essential, if you are to ride without significant buffeting from the moving air and whining from the misses i.e. anything above 50 mph. The hood makes a few days away from home a possibility in the UK, without constantly looking at the weather forecast app. on your phone and hoping that it is going to be right. Apparently, it also helps to stop the wind attacking you from behind, even when it is down.

The hardtop would be more weather proof, but once on and driving you can’t take it off when the sun (that thing in the sky that you can occasionally see in the UK) comes out.

An optional hood bag is available at £330 - gulp - which I won’t be getting!

Thinking about weather protection - again

I have been looking at weather protection for the Cobra again, after having my ear bent by Andy Holmes (the guy I helped to put his Cobra body on - see separate post). This was the main reason for taking the tin top over to him in Lincolnshire a couple of weeks ago, much to his dismay!

The lack of a hood or hard top has also played its part in keeping the car’s mileage low. Both hardtops and hoods were not to be had when I was looking. In my opinion, this was because the hood and hardtop manufacturers couldn’t be bothered to get their fingers out.

Time has now passed, so I am looking at this again, so that the Cobra will become more usable. Watch this space!

Another GD gets clothed!

Went over to Andy Holmes at New Walton near Grimsby for a BBQ. Well to help put the body on his GD. Plenty of help - not sure how much was brought on by the offer of food from Annie. Annie is Andy’s long suffering wife! Steve was there, Andy’s right hand man on the build, or is Andy the helper in reality?

Anyway, after a bit of pushing and shoving the body was on. Looks good too.

(See the link to Andy H’s build on the right of this blog - scroll down a little).

Over 115k page views

Just gone over the 115k page views since I started this build. Most visitors have come from the States, closely followed by UK page views. Thanks to all those who have visited this site. I hope it continues to prove useful to you.

Finding things - made easier!

Hopefully I have improved the navigation of this blog a little, so that you can find things. I have added some labels (build elements) and have been through these to break them down a little. If you have any further suggestions, please let me know.