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TR2/3/3A TR3 Cut Off Side Curtain.
- Thread starter karls59tr
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Way back when, I used to run full (aftermarket all-aluminum) side curtains and tonneau, which seemed to work very nicely. Of course, I was younger then, but.... :laugh:
I'm not sure a cut-down side curtain would do what you want?
I'm not sure a cut-down side curtain would do what you want?
I have the the aluminum side curtains as well. I always wondered if they were aftermarket or one offs? Amco? I'll give you an example of what I'm trying to accomplish. Last Fall I took an 80 mile drive to a nearby racetrack that was hosting it's annual British car get together. The rain was spitting down and I had the tonneau cover and heater on and it was quite comfortable except for my left arm which was freezing! It wasnt raining hard enough to put the top up and I didnt get wet ,as the windshield threw off most of the rain. A full side curtain under these conditions wouldn't have been necessary. The open doors are one of my favourite features of the TR3 in good weather but there are times when ththat area would be better closed off. I think I've seen some sort of aftermarket door top assemblies for sale in the UK but I don't want to go to that expense for the odd time I'd need them.
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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This setup is popular around here:
The upper wing is available from Moss et al; but I don't know of anyone offering the lower part commercially. It's easy to fabricate yourself, though. The aluminum strap fits into the front sidecurtain socket.
PS, a good leather jacket will block the wind better than almost anything else. Blocks rain too, if you get one with snug sleeves and keep it oiled.
The upper wing is available from Moss et al; but I don't know of anyone offering the lower part commercially. It's easy to fabricate yourself, though. The aluminum strap fits into the front sidecurtain socket.
PS, a good leather jacket will block the wind better than almost anything else. Blocks rain too, if you get one with snug sleeves and keep it oiled.
6969ronin6969
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Karl,
I think Revington in the UK has a fiberglass part that does exactly what you are thinking about. I looked at it because I have thought the same thing as you. I drive about 30 mins to work and on cold mornings the wind coming in the side can get uncomfortable. I'd think it'd work well.
Post some pics if you decide to do something.
Eric
I think Revington in the UK has a fiberglass part that does exactly what you are thinking about. I looked at it because I have thought the same thing as you. I drive about 30 mins to work and on cold mornings the wind coming in the side can get uncomfortable. I'd think it'd work well.
Post some pics if you decide to do something.
Eric
MGTF1250Dave
Jedi Knight
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Aloha Geo,
Looks like you store your side curtains like I do, on a hook in the garage.
Looks like you store your side curtains like I do, on a hook in the garage.
TR4nut
Yoda
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GilsTR said:
Eric might be thinking of the Racestorations kit, they look neat, sort of like a Jabbeke run setup:
Racestorations racing sidescreens
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
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I made one for the driver's side of my 1958 TR3A. I bought some vinyl like the vinyl used for the tonneau cover. I took this to a leather worker and he cut and sewed me one which I snap onto the snaps on the door nomally used for the tonneau cover and up around the top of the dashboard for a snap or two. It also snaps up to the one at the top of the dog-leg.
When I got it back, I installed new snaps and it keeps my left shoulder and left arm dry when the top is up but I don't want to have the sidecurtain on. I get claustrophobic in the TR with it all on and up.
I suppose it would keep the wind out too.
One of the nicest designs I ever saw were hand-made on a red and white TR3A by Gary Altwsser formerly from Windsor Ontario and Calgary. He made his out of clear plexiglass on a steel bar stut like the ones for the sidecurtains. He fitted them into the front mounts of his doors normally used for the sidecurtains. They were a bit like the twin ones shown by Randall above, but were curved outwards and then back in again. They kept the wind out and each measured about 6" by 15" high - one for each side.
You can barely see it in this photo of Gary's car at VTR in Breckenridge in 2001.
When I got it back, I installed new snaps and it keeps my left shoulder and left arm dry when the top is up but I don't want to have the sidecurtain on. I get claustrophobic in the TR with it all on and up.
I suppose it would keep the wind out too.
One of the nicest designs I ever saw were hand-made on a red and white TR3A by Gary Altwsser formerly from Windsor Ontario and Calgary. He made his out of clear plexiglass on a steel bar stut like the ones for the sidecurtains. He fitted them into the front mounts of his doors normally used for the sidecurtains. They were a bit like the twin ones shown by Randall above, but were curved outwards and then back in again. They kept the wind out and each measured about 6" by 15" high - one for each side.
You can barely see it in this photo of Gary's car at VTR in Breckenridge in 2001.
Attachments
Randall I am with you here on not having the side pockets mounted yet . I took the sockets and had them powder coated...along with the heads of the screws. (was kinda cool how they did the screw heads...they just screwed the screw into the side of a Coke can...and ran the can thru the process!) Just can't bring myself to mess with the looks of the door. Will get er done this Summer. Curtains....still like new! Gil NoCal
6969ronin6969
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Randy,
Thanks. Yes, those are the ones I was thinking of.
Eric
Thanks. Yes, those are the ones I was thinking of.
Eric
apbos
Jedi Knight
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I have a set of the Racetorations Sidecurtains that I will use on my car. Dan (Tinman58) an I have had discussions about mounting the side curtains on these and also about making a plexyglass wind block like that on the TR3s that ran a LeMans. If you look closely at the picture below you can see them mounted on the car. Maybe a steel curved mount that goes over the door and is attacted with side screen brackets and then a plexyglass side window attached to that. Wind protection and lots of visablility. Seems 50 years ago they were thinking about the same thing
Paul
Paul
Geo Hahn
Yoda
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Resurrecting this post from last week as it inspired me to make a lower wing similar to the ones pictured above.
It really makes quite a difference at speed. Not something I'd want day-to-day but have a few long driving days planned and this should help keep me happy.
I fashioned mine with more upturn on the front edge so I could affix a stick-on convex mirror.
It secures in the side curtain bracket with an extra bonnet Dzus fastener.
It really makes quite a difference at speed. Not something I'd want day-to-day but have a few long driving days planned and this should help keep me happy.
I fashioned mine with more upturn on the front edge so I could affix a stick-on convex mirror.
It secures in the side curtain bracket with an extra bonnet Dzus fastener.
croz
Senior Member
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I thought that I would reopen this thread to pass on my efforts to prolong the top down season here in the great white north.
I was able to secure a ratty old set of 60's side curtains. I removed all the covering and cut off the top window portion. I then spent 3-4 hours with a wire brush cleaning up the metal, which was covered in tape, glue and rust. The dzus bracket fit was close enough. They went off to get powder coated in "Camero Silver". A trip to the auto upholsterer and the result is quite good. Fitting the new dzus connectors was a bit of a mystery, but finally came together using a socket and a gentle tap from a small hammer. Total expense approx $200. See the images below.
Steve
I was able to secure a ratty old set of 60's side curtains. I removed all the covering and cut off the top window portion. I then spent 3-4 hours with a wire brush cleaning up the metal, which was covered in tape, glue and rust. The dzus bracket fit was close enough. They went off to get powder coated in "Camero Silver". A trip to the auto upholsterer and the result is quite good. Fitting the new dzus connectors was a bit of a mystery, but finally came together using a socket and a gentle tap from a small hammer. Total expense approx $200. See the images below.
Steve
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
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I rarely drive my 1958 TR3A with the top up but a few times when I had to because of heavy rain, I found out that I'm very claustrophobic. So even while driving in the rain, I leave off the driver's side curtain. But I still get wet.
So I had a local leather shop (the chap who repaired my tonneau cover) make me a flexible vinyl side curtain and I installed the lift-a-dot snaps. It keeps me dry from the snaps above the overdrive switch and the top edge of this new "1/2 side curtain" is horizontal and snaps along the pegs on the door and back up to the top of the dog-leg.
When I don't need it, it is easy to fold up and I throw it into the boot.
So I had a local leather shop (the chap who repaired my tonneau cover) make me a flexible vinyl side curtain and I installed the lift-a-dot snaps. It keeps me dry from the snaps above the overdrive switch and the top edge of this new "1/2 side curtain" is horizontal and snaps along the pegs on the door and back up to the top of the dog-leg.
When I don't need it, it is easy to fold up and I throw it into the boot.
