Looking for best TR7 cold weather soft top

[tya2agt]

Dear List,

I live in sub arctic Canada where there are serious wild . temperature variations here plus 20C one day and minus 5C the next, and extremes of minus 40 to 50 C in the winter. My car is likely to be laid up in cold storage for the winter. I am looking for a new soft top for my 80 TR7. I am looking for a brand recommendation and a source recommendation. While I won't put the roof up or down when it is cold the temperature variations cause stuff to break and fatigue prematurely.

The other thing I would like is one with out the rear corner windows is anyone knows of one.


Reg 1980 TR7


80 TR-7 Convertible

[FI Spyder]

The TR7 was cold weather tested in Canada during it's development (at up to -20F I believe). To my knowledge all tops have clear corner window for visibility. To my mind it makes it one of the best looking tops out there with the best over shoulder visibility. You can't help but put a fold in the corner of clear window when folding over when putting top down. That being said my original top still looks like new and the clear windows still clear after 33 years.

After market hard tops are available. Do a search for pictures of different types.

Soft top types:

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID006144

Hard top:

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012012



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[busheytrader]

[quote]<i>Originally posted by FI Spyder</i>

To my mind it makes it one of the best looking tops out there with the best over shoulder visibility.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Agreed.

[quote]<i>Originally posted by FI Spyder</i>

You can't help but put a fold in the corner of clear window when folding over when putting top down.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I follow the owner's manual instructions. Hood down, spread the roof out on to the boot, fold the left and right 1/4 lights inwards on to the hood (folds made across the hood material in between the clear windows) then fold the whole hood forward so the 1/4 lights are now under the rest of the hood. Then fit the tonneau cover on top. That's the problem though. Without the tonneau cover the hood flies about above 30mph. That's why so many of us fold the hood underneath the hood frame and crack the PVC clear windows. Our Mk3 MX5 can have it's roof up and down in seconds. My 7V8 takes minutes.

Adam



TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 14" 5 Spokes or Maestro Turbo 15" Alloys, Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991 courtesy of S&S V8 conversion and big brake kits.

[FI Spyder]

Interesting. I can't fold the corners in without creasing part of the window because of where the first fixed stud is (original roof). Maybe some differences in installation)?

My roof doesn't fly up until 50 mph, slightly better with wind blocker as it is tucked under it some what, but as I found out on the Santa Anna Freeway just before I turned off for Disneyland (scary moment as I couldn't see much trying to pull off to the side of road)it can still fly up and back, fortunately not much traffic in between overpass traffic jams.

I find if passenger window is up (drivers window up or down) it prevents it from flipping up at any speed.



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT