Coverin' the Coupe?

[FmrMarauder]

Years ago when I was foolish enough to drive British and Italian two seater convertibles I frequently used tonneau covers in lieu of raising the top.

I've found the lid on my 2004 coupe to be a bit unwieldy to put up when parking for a short period and am a little concerned that I'll muck up the fitting of the weather stripping and such by constantly removing and replacing the top.

I've found, in the Eckler's catalog, two possible solutions:

1. Ferguson's Coupe Cover, which is like an abbreviated car cover that covers just the seating area of the car and

2. Carbrella's Sport Top, which is a 4 pound temporary lid that fits over the seating area when the car is parked.

Has anyone had any experience with either one of these units? Other than locking the glovebox and console and arming the "alarm" (which no one around here pays any attention to anyway) does anyone have suggestions or trepidations about parking these vehicles in a public lot with the top removed? (I must be getting old. This sort of thing never used to concern me. Of course, Triumphs and Fiats weren't in the $40,000 range, either ).

Thanks!

Jim

 

[tproth]

Jim
Like you, I have been looking for something for my coupe. Nice weather, top down & a trip with luggage just don't equate. I understand that C4's have a folding top available but I have not seen it. Necessity may be the mother of invention. Someone that is inventive & handy on this board may just whip up something for the C5's.

 

[FmrMarauder]

Jim
Like you, I have been looking for something for my coupe. Nice weather, top down & a trip with luggage just don't equate. I understand that C4's have a folding top available but I have not seen it. Necessity may be the mother of invention. Someone that is inventive & handy on this board may just whip up something for the C5's.

The Carbrella Spot Top is about $125.00. It folds up for storage and weighs in at 4 pounds, and might be suitable for parking (if security isn't an issue) .

I didn't order that, but did order in (from Eckler's) a Ferguson Coupe Cover that fits like a tonneau (using elastic straps to hook to the underside of the car). I got the thing in but haven't attempted a fit yet, just haven't had the time. Doesn't lock to the car, of course, just straps on - but with the top off security has gone by the wayside anyway...the old Brit cars with the tonneau covers that zipped down the middle allowed one to drive in quite cold conditions and stay toasty with the heater on under the tonneau, and park the car w/o bothering about sudden rainstorms or furry creatures. Top down in the snow, great stuff. But the little metal buttons that held the tonneau to the car might not look so good on a C5 coupe!

I also got a couple of other little items from Eckler's for the upcoming trip - a cover that slips over the coupe top (not a bag, a cover with elastic in the four corners) to help protect the top from luggage scratches when secured in the trunk area, and a "bumper bib" - a little deal that attaches to the inside trunk wall (no drilling!) and then unfolds to cover the back end of the car when luggage is being taken out or put in. Bib rolls up out of the way and secures with Velcro when not in use.

Since the car I traded in was a favorite of the wife's (a 2003 Marauder (the car, not the wife!)) that had cabin space for five and trunk space for the 3rd Armored Division I'm trying to make this trip as pleasant as I can (logistically) so that I don't get yelled at. Again.

If I order in the Cabrella deal I'll post a report. I'm pretty well satisfied with bumper bib.

Jim

 

[Ed02]

I bought the Tonneau Cover from Mid America, $99.99. #612-820. It's heavy cotton lined vinyl and connects with velcro on the windshield wipers, mirrors, elastic straps that hook under the doors with no scratch plastic clips and straps that slip over the hatch latches to hold the back down. I basically got it to keep the inside cool during the hot summers here. It fits good and covers the top and all the glass. And yes it does keep it about 40 degrees cooler in there as advertised.

 

[FmrMarauder]

I bought the Tonneau Cover from Mid America, $99.99. #612-820. It's heavy cotton lined vinyl and connects with velcro on the windshield wipers, mirrors, elastic straps that hook under the doors with no scratch plastic clips and straps that slip over the hatch latches to hold the back down. I basically got it to keep the inside cool during the hot summers here. It fits good and covers the top and all the glass. And yes it does keep it about 40 degrees cooler in there as advertised.

Yep - pretty much the same as Ecklers - except there's no straps for the mirrors, just the wiper arms and no scratch clips for the door latches. The back secures under the hatch. I tried it tonight for the first time and it appears to be a keeper. Good to know about the reduction in temp!

Jim