Full hood a tight fit? Try this

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

When you fit your full hood it is supposed to be a tight fit, but add in some luggage on the boot and it can get quite difficult to get the press studs on.

 

At less than 16 degrees the vinyl is much less stretchy, which also adds to problem. It is very important to let the hood dry while it is still in position on the car to prevent it shrinking.

 

I have had a tapered section sewn into the hood to give it that extra bit of room, here is a picture below.

 

 

I have used some pipe insulation on the metal frame to keep the roof taught when I do not have a boot bag on, as shown here.

 

 

I hope this information is useful to anyone who also struggles to get the roof on, especially if it is already raining and you are now getting wet!

 

 

[GRBBONGO]

So simple had'nt really thought of that. I have the opposite problem where mine is sometimes a bit slack on top, so these would help take it up just nicely. Do they still collapse down into the boot ok though? I have a lockable boot lid on mine.(factory style).

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

One other tip, if you're already out and about and the back of the hood is too tight, the rear hoop that normally sits just over the rear window doesn't actually lock in position - hence the fabric straps to hold it. If you pivot it up towards the roll bar, it takes a surprising amount of tension out of the hoods back section, letting it go a bit slacker over the window area.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Oh, incidentally, who did you use to work on the hood? I've struggled a little finding someone like that. (The chap I used is a great trimmer, and did the job I wanted in the end, but wasn't keen and didn't really get it right.)

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

GRBBONGO - the pipe insulation just slides off the frame and sits in the boot when not in use, conveniently it is slit all the way down the side and it is light weight too.

 

Dave -  I used Bielawski in Sheffield on recommendation from Glen, they recovered the dash in his Marcos about 35 years ago and they are still on the go today. They also repaired the front press studs where the vinyl had started to tear from too much pulling, all for £80. 

[TrophyJem]

I have a very similar problem since fitting a boot lid.

Did you take your car and the hood to them, or just the hood?

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle) - Treasurer]

, they recovered the dash in his Marcos about 35 years ago and they are still on the go today.

 

35 years! .  was Glen just a nipper driving a Marcos.  

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

TrophyJem - I left the car, boot bag and hood with him overnight and it was ready the next day. I filled the boot bag with rags as though it was as full as when I go on holiday, he then designed and cut to fit my car specifically. I would recommend doing the same but if you know what you want and how much to add I suppose you could consider just posting the hood to him.

 

Trevor - did you not know that Glen is only thirtysixty years old!