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Wedge TR3 wedge side curtains

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prb51

prb51

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I'm looking for a set of wedge side curtains, anyone out there with an extra/uneeded set?
I know they are available new but I'd rather avoid an $800 bill.
I'm not concerned with originality as I need them soley for function.
Original ok, AMCO aftermarket ok.
I haven't seen a set on ebay lately that didn't need a complete rebuild and generally they are the late models anyway.
I've an old AMCO set given me but the plexiglass is toast and there is a pretty good sized crack in the ally in one corner so don't think they are worth repairing.
 
A good usable set of side curtains are gonna run some bucks. There was a set of FRAMES just went off on e-bay for $96. Most of what's out there used will most likly need some work. I have a set of wedge screens, as I'm putting a later body on my TR3 that used the dzus style. Unfortunately, mine also need to be redone.

If you're going to put money into redoing the screens, might as well get the originals done, as all of the aftermarket ones that I've seen are of significantly lower quality. Cracking of the aluminium frames is one of the problems.
 
Sorry, I don't have an extra set.
~edit~Eh... Deleted the rest I had here as I though better of impolitely hijaking this thread. I can start my own later.
YOu may find that repairing yours IS the way to go.
Sidecurtians seem to be gold lately.
 
FWIW, it shouldn't be all that hard to refurbish them enough to use. Vinyl cloth from a sewing/fabric store (eg Joann's fabric in any mall) will do. For the top part, you can just glue the fabric to the frame using contact cement. It's prettier if you can pry out the channels and tuck the fabric under them, but will work if you just cut the fabric off flush.

For the bottom part, find someone you know with a sewing machine willing to do you a favor. Show them the old piece, they should know how to create a new one. Basically, the outermost seam is created by sewing two pieces together "inside out", then trimming the fabric close to the seam and turning the resulting pocket "inside in". Then the other seams are added, and the result is glued to the frame.

Thin plexiglass (Home Depot) can be used for the windows.

Mine were the later Dzus button type, so I may have some of the details wrong, but it can be done and the materials are cheap. The friend with a sewing machine may or may not be cheap ... I bought a used sewing machine at a swap meet ($15) and got my Mom to show me how to run it.

Yes, that was a long time ago /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif Where I live now, sidecurtains are just a nuisance. But old "straight stitch" sewing machines are still pretty cheap, as all the sewing hobbyists want fancier machines with zig-zag, etc.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270191851884
 
I've got to rebuild them now.
I gave a friend one of the aluminum legs that was missing the wedge and he made a wedge and welded it on and it looks exactly like the other except he put a plug thru the whole deal so it would never fail.
Said he could ally weld the crack in the frame as new too so I'll redo the AMCO's.
He wouldn't take anything but a beer at the local pub.
Man, can he do some nice welding in alloy.
Thanks for the suggestions.
 
P.S.
These frames don't have any of the fabric bottoms so I don't have a guide.
Can anyone take a close up pic or two of the fabric so I can copy the deal?
Thanks
 
The plexiglass is available resonably through TRF, probably from the other two also.

Good luck on the rebuild.

Tinkerman
 
Here's some shots of original frames.
 
Randall,
Thanks for the pics, obviously SoCal doesn't require the use of yours often. Same here in Az but it can get nippy at elevation and I drive year round.
 
prb51 said:
but it can get nippy at elevation and I drive year round.
Click to expand...
Me too (on both counts); but instead of sidecurtains & a top, I just bought a heavy leather jacket, cap and gloves. I find it's more comfortable (and enjoyable) that way.

Should have taken a picture ... we were driving in snow on New Years Day 2000 (part of the "Y2K Don't Bug Me" run with the local club), and I was there with no top & no sidecurtains. Didn't have my leathers then either (but that run convinced me to buy them /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif )

Let me know if you need more pictures or a close-up of a particular area. Those are actually the sidecurtains that came with my project 56 ... somewhere in the attic are the Dzus mount ones for the wrecked 59.

BTW, I wasn't sure before; but the wedge-mount version also has the separate frame in the lower half.
 
I enjoy the WW1 fighter pilot deal too especially with the brooklands I use for a wind screen BUT, if I want company from my good and patient wife I'd best go with the top/sidescreens.
This is getting easier all of the time. My welder friend says he has 1/4 in plexiglass laying around and offered to cut the windows too. He asked if I wanted clear or smoked windows!
He wants another beer though, hope I can afford it.
 
1/4" may be too thick; I think I used either 1/8" or 3/16". Not enough room in the channels for the thick stuff, plus you have to bend it pretty sharp to force it in.

The bomber helmet sounds like a good idea, but I wear a English driving cap instead. Started wearing it to keep the sun out of my eyes while driving the TR, actually, but now I wear it all the time.
https://wil.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pG01-2087774v380a.jpg
 
You're right, I just popped the old ones out and 1/8th in seems to be the deal. All of the felt runners are in good shape but I'll need to replace the rubber edge material and that I'll have to find. It's about 2 in wide and has a double round rib at the bottom that seats in a channel the same size as the plexiglass.
I normally wear a cowboy hat but that doesn't happen in the TR, I'd have to duct tape it down, just a ball cap suffices.
I had an old cap like yours years ago, but cloth and sections sewn like a pie is cut. Good old lid it was.
 
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