new hood needed, has anyone tried...

[kev s3]

the time has come to replace my knacked hood on the s3, come across this website, www.autohoods.co.uk and was wondering if anyone has tried them. they do the hood for £287.88 + p&p. sounds pretty good quality and they say it has a rubber inner layer so doesnt have to be waterproofed. will have to get it fitted up here. anyone tried them?
cheers

[Essexbloke]

Havnt used them, but have in the past used a company called "Hoods Galore" in Southend, Essex, very good, efficient, and cheap, (never had a TVR done though)

Would recommend them otherwise.

[andyf007]

Yep, bought a new stayfast hood and targa from them last year. Fitted it myself last week. Definitely a rubberised inner layer with cloth either side. Hood seems good quality, considerably better than the original.

Andy

[NickP_S2]

While on this subject, I have been thinking that I would like a 'proper' soft-top for my S2. By this I mean a single piece hood that would replace the standard panels and rear section. Anyone know if this has been done?

[Podie]

NickP_S2 said:

While on this subject, I have been thinking that I would like a 'proper' soft-top for my S2. By this I mean a single piece hood that would replace the standard panels and rear section. Anyone know if this has been done?

Someone said they'd spotted something that looked like a complete soft-top recently...

[shnozz]

Podie said:

NickP_S2 said: While on this subject, I have been thinking that I would like a 'proper' soft-top for my S2. By this I mean a single piece hood that would replace the standard panels and rear section. Anyone know if this has been done? Someone said they'd spotted something that looked like a complete soft-top recently...

was the outcome of that they thought it was a 3000S?

What hood arangement does the 3000 have? would it be possible to "borrow" that design? - although one might question why they changed from fully soft top to the later arrangement.

[M@H]

NickP_S2 said:

While on this subject, I have been thinking that I would like a 'proper' soft-top for my S2. By this I mean a single piece hood that would replace the standard panels and rear section. Anyone know if this has been done?

I wouldn't fancy it much though as it would baloon upwards as you went along when you had the roof up, and there would be a lot more canvas etc to stow when you had the roof down that would in your rear view mirror..

Cheers
Matt

[shnozz]

M@H said:

and there would be a lot more canvas etc to stow when you had the roof down that would in your rear view mirror.. Cheers Matt

like the Chimaera. Which I hear is a problem.

For short people

[M@H]

shnozz said:

M@H said: and there would be a lot more canvas etc to stow when you had the roof down that would in your rear view mirror.. Cheers Matt like the Chimaera. Which I hear is a problem. For short people

thanks mate...

..on the subject of short people, I bumped into Richard Hammond in Tesco's last weekend, now he really IS as short as he looks.!

Cheers
Matt

[kev s3]

cheers guys, andy, how did you get on fitting it? was it difficult or not too bad? what type of glue did u use to stick it down? may have a go if its not too bad!
cheers

[andyf007]

kev s3 said:

cheers guys, andy, how did you get on fitting it? was it difficult or not too bad? what type of glue did u use to stick it down? may have a go if its not too bad! cheers

Oooh eck! Erm.... it wasn't too bad, though I don't think I did that good a job on the rear section, as I made an assumption with a measurement that I shouldn't have done. No two are the same (ie hoop and rear bar) and the hood was a tad too large around the rear bar, and where it fitted up on the hoop wasn't exactly on the marks (autohoods mark the hood with a fit line for you), but it was square. I used double sided carpet tape on the hoop and bar to hold the hood temporarily while I checked everthing would fit. After that, I found that spray adhesive worked well to fix the thing (watch for overspray). Evostick bonds too quickly and leaves no room for error, the spray adhesive allowed for minor unsticking and resticking. I used evostick on the rear, which is why it isn't as it should be. I used the spray on the roof panels and it was much easier.

Which ever bit you do, do a bit at a time. For the rear, stick the bar first, off the car. Watch the distances between the end of the horns of the bar and the velcro bits on the hood to ensure you are central and ensure the beaded edge is where you want it. Put it back on the car and test it up onto the hoop. Stick it to the top of the hoop first, once you have all the fabric pulled tightly, then move onto sticking the last bits into the gully on the front of the hoop.

With the panels, same process. Start by sticking only the beaded edge first, then do the top face. After that stick the sides and end. Watch the trimming on these, look at how each corner is cut on the original panel to help you.

I would recommend re-fitting the targas to the car before sticking the weather strip back on to the window edge to get it accurate.

TIP - To lift the edges of the leather under the targas, use a moderately sharp knife (not a stanley), and work carefully along under about 1" of the leather. Do not try to pull or peel the leather, it will tear.

Andy

[kev s3]

thanks for the reply andy,will have a think about it when i pick up my new one, came so quick (2 days)wasnt in for the delivery guy.
cheers

[shnozz]

M@H said:

shnozz said: M@H said: and there would be a lot more canvas etc to stow when you had the roof down that would in your rear view mirror.. Cheers Matt like the Chimaera. Which I hear is a problem. For short people thanks mate... ..on the subject of short people, I bumped into Richard Hammond in Tesco's last weekend, now he really IS as short as he looks.! Cheers Matt

very true