Robbins tonneau covers - pics and comments wanted!

[redwards]

I'm considering getting myself one of the Robbins tonneau covers. Some photos here:



Does anyone here have one? What's it like? Is it worth it? Vinyl or "sunfast cloth"? More pics? Does the seat need to be in a specific position to fit into the socks? Can you put the passenger window up when the tonneau is on? (*gasp*)

I spoke to Wayne on Sunday at the car cruise who said he's got a vinyl one. If anyone has his email, could you PM it to me so I can go terrorise him and have a look?

[bruce]

Vinyl.
I had a Robbins without the socks (you had to lie the seats forward and back). You would have to have your seats in a specific spot to use those socks.
There's a tag/clip you have to fit under your side mirror which clips on one edge of the cover. To have the glass up you leave that unclipped which is OK.
You also need to fit some studs on the forward edge of your dash (easy and not noticeable).
Easy to reverse everything as I did and sold it years ago.
Wasn't cheap, $400 plus I think (?!)
Bit flappy in the breeze but OK.

[Mr Morlock]

Redwards they look good at least for those of us familiar with tonneau's ( A's B's Healeys etc) Bruce covered most of it but did not mention the window- I am guessing that it could not be clipped forward if you want the window up but may be that does not matter as tonneau's are often seen as an alternative to putting the top up when the car is parked.You would not be able to use the NB type wind deflector either if one half is clipped forward.

[bruce]

The cover just sits on the top edge of the door, with one press stud fitted under the side mirror. To have the glass up you leave it un-studded but the edge of the cover just balances there as there is no attachment. But it is fine and still looks OK.

[Hot Rodders]

I have a similar one that came with the car. My advice? Just put your roof up or down. Takes a while to do all the studs up and becareful that the ones mounted on the dash dont pull out of the dash with the pressure needed to get it done up and undone. I have used mine twice for display purposes only when people want a look at it.

[bruce]

I think there's a special way for the studs on the dash to be released. Are they called 'push-dots'? Push on the dot to secure, pull on the dot-edge to release.

[redwards]

Thanks for the response everyone!

I get the feeling that, while nifty, people's opinion of them is not very high. Hot Rodders is clearly not a fan.

Does anyone use theirs on a regular basis?

[PUR157]

I've also been interested in these but never knew where to look... so thanks for the heads up red!
certainly adds a touch of Old British sports car

But it looks like it's good for an MX5 that spends most of its time in nicer weather and only ever has the driver in it?
Most of the comments go along the lines of how much of a hassle it is to attach/remove

[redwards]

As for buying them, go straight to the US websites. Notwithstanding the AU 'correction' the other day, it's still pretty good.

I was directed to Raven Wing (linkage). US$269.95 vinyl, US$459.95 SunFast cloth, exc. postage.

The top is by Robbins - http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/. There are also local dealers - the listed mob is Nolan - http://www.nolans.com.au/. I emailed the Perth office the other day - no response yet.

[TieNN89]

I dont get it why the hell do you want something like that

Just put the top up or down much quick easier

If your thinking of that as a security well they can just unclip it and see ya

[sliq]

maybe it's for driving with the top down and the tonneau prevents any dust from settling into your car..

[redwards]

It's more to change the air flow through the cabin with the roof off. You know, keep my legs warm in winter. (and yes, I recognise that NB windblockers cost around $100 which is a damn sight cheaper). And I like the look of them.

I'm not getting one for security. I quite often leave my car with the roof off in carparks and lock anything loose away. The car has an alarm and immobiliser, and if anyone really really wants to steal the car, there is SFA I can do about it.

And as for raising the hood - in summer, that means I have to take the little factory tonneau off each time Annoying

Anyway, for those interested, I just received a call from a bloke from Nolans in Perth. He quoted $511 (exc GST) for the Vinyl and $885 for the sunfast (USA it is I guess).
He explained the SunFast is an acrylic cloth - sort of "canvassy" - 100% polyesther. Nolans uses that for their soft tops but has never received a complaint or an unhappy customer. He thinks the SunFast is good stuff (and sounded genuine about it - not just saleman talk)

[bruce]

I didn't really notice much change in windflow with one (I guess because it is still a large opening where you sit).
If you must, go for the vinyl one as mine was the same and fine.

[redwards]

I didn't really notice much change in windflow with one

Really? I appreciate it won't change the airflow around your head much, but what about around your hands and legs?

[Benny]

These tonneau covers were invented a long, long time ago, when British Sprtscars had softops that took a masters degree in engineering to erect, as well as a spare half hour or so to do it (much like a Lotus Elise).
These were a quick means of protecting the interior when parked and easy to open when you went for a drive.

Personally, I think their time has been and gone, and when you have a soft top as good and as easy to erect as ours, why bother?