Has SAS come up with a solution for leaking Speedsters?

Wow, SAS is claiming to have an effective approach to the elusive problem of leaking Speedsters. Steve has pointed out all of the usual areas that cause the leaking and, as best I can tell, no one has been able to come up with a totally satisfactory solution for the past 30 plus years. Here is a YouTube presentation of their assessment of the problem. It will be interesting to see what SAS has come up with. I have never been a big fan of side curtains. If they can solve this age-old problem, a lot of folks might be interested.

I have heard that there are some other spectacular 356 features that will follow.

http://youtu.be/pE2d5h6eOKY

Clint

Video Part 2 will be coming in how many years?

Soon enough .... :-)

You will be awe struck when you see Part 2. No need for blue tape! Seeing is believing!

I know nothing about this company, but has this guy never seen an IM speedster with roll up windows and a good seal at the windshield?

Why is he using an unfinished vehicle and cardboard cut outs to demonstrate this? It really looks like a backyard business, based on this video.

I could be very interested in seeing part 2 if it is a universal solution and not specific to SAS Speedsters. As much of an improvement as my side windows are, They are a long way from roll-ups.

I watched part one with baited breath and now I'm on the edge of my seat....

Robert, you're jesting, right?

Part 1 was uploaded February 26 so Part 2 may not be far behind. Curious what he will suggest.

Nolan, have you seen a sneak preview?

'Robert, you're jesting, right?'

In what way? He shows a roll up window template that is not even cut properly to fit the windshield post, when it can be cut properly to provide a good seal. Don't misunderstand me, I know that only IM has a roll up window on a Speedster (I think), but at least this shows that a glass roll up window can be done properly.

Also, using a rough body shell, a floppy top, and a windshield without any seals is not the best way to sell a product.

My two cents worth.

Robert,

Unfortunately, alot of the Speedsters out there - CMC, Fiberfab, etc. - look alot like what he is showing and describing.... Not sure if he logs onto SO.com so he may not be familiar with some of the solutions offered by others on this forum.

I certainly know that, Bruce. I have had a windowless speedster. I have also had a Bugeye Sprite and MGTD that both had side curtains, so I do know the problem of leaks.

All I'm saying is that his presentation could have been improved a little.

He's dressing up the set, that's why Video #2 is slow in coming.

I am happy to see the SAS folks seriously studying the matter of improving Speedster side curtains---kudos to them for this! I am sure that the next you Tube installment will provide a serious and functional fix and I for one am anxious to see what they come up with.

A couple of the cars at Carlisle will have rubber tub stoppers hanging from the rear view mirror and that pretty well explains the situation with most non-IM Speedsters.

I ended up with the car I have simply by dumb luck and did zero research---this site was unknown to me and I had no resources to go to to see what was what in the word of Speedsters. Thank God I ended up as well as I did.

My approach was not to switch to a better and better car as I learned who made what. Instead it was to improve what I started with --sorta like Alice tried to do with me!!

My windows do not leak water into the car----period. No water is drawn in from the back of the windows into my left ear. No water comes in from anywhere. This was Dusty Johnson's original idea that I adopted for my car and it is a complete fix for my use. I'd love an IM with roll up windows--anyone that denies that is not to be trusted, but Dusty's fix solved my problem and heavy rain or passing trucks in a deluge is no water issue. Other fixes shown to me by John Steele completed the ability to drive in heavy rain and to stay dry.

I have posted these pix before that show a simple addition of extra stay-fast fabric sewn onto the sides and top. As far as the top, the curtain is jammed up into the top of the space provided and doesn't move from the wind.

Same for the rear of the window --it goes snugly into the space that's there ---and the front goes inside the windshield post snugly and forces water to move along the outside of the window and away from the car.

If anyone can fabricate a solution, it's Steve Lawing and I'll look forward to seeing what he comes up with. I'd say I'll copy it but really, there's just no need right now.

Great to see someone addressing a fix to an awful problem, though.

My old bugeye had plexiglass sliding side windows, with an aluminum frame, and rubber seals all around.

Perhaps someone could devise the same for a speedster?

Folks (Fibersteel?) have claimed to have such a thing coming for quite a while now, but it never materializes. For us replica owners the problem is probably related to the fact that all cars, even from the same manufacturer, differ a bit.

Lane, they've been "coming soon" for 12 years now. They're not coming.

I fixed mine on my JPS, and posted how I did it. It wasn't that hard. If you do a search from back in 2003 or so, you should be able to dig up the post.

I know we have been joking about the sliding plexiglass windows from Fibersteel never actually being available. However, Alex, who works for Fibersteel was at the Pismo Beach gathering last year and I told him about the running joke. He told me that they are available and can be ordered from Fibersteel, but they are very expensive and they don't sell very many of them.
Just like Lane said, the bottom line with full size plexiglass/aluminum frame windows for Speedsters is that they need to be custom made for each and every Speedster and that makes them VERY expensive.

Lane Anderson had a great post/thread 3 years ago. You'll find references to all the needed parts and some other good ideas thrown in to boot. The price for the plastic (generically speaking) from McMaster-Carr is pricey and can be had for a song (approx. 50% less nowdays) AND cut to your specs from Ridout Plastics in San Diego. Years ago I helped a friend fit 2 windows in a similar fashion for less than 50 bucks for the pair.
This should give some direction: https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=15848
Attn. Jack Crosby: your "soft windows" are the way to go (jeez what a shame that Dusty isn't contributing). Jack, see if you can post more info. re: your windows as they set the standard IMO.
SS
ADD: http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Colored_Plexiglass_Acrylic_Sheet_Transparent/ACRY30300-125PM48X72
(4x6 FOOT sheet price-make half a dozen!)

The pieces from Fibersteel are very nicely made, but as lane said, they are not a OSFA solution. I have modified a few sets to fit my cars, and also added a front seal to them as they leave a huge gap at the windshield. Also, they didn't fit the contour of our top very well, but (IIRC) in both cases I hadn't made the top yet and could change the window opening shape easily.

Sorry Rich, I've been sworn to secrecy.

Well Lane's windows, like everything else he fabs are sensational. I tried to make a pair but mine weren't satisfactory. Fun trying tho.
I never could get a cecent fit at the windshield post. Lane could sell these but I imagine they would have to be custom made.

There's nothing else to add to what I did to my soft windows. Just put your windows in the car then tape cardboard around that is cut to the proper size that will:

1. Fully go into the top slit that takes the top of the window.
2. Generously fit well into the area behind the windshield posts
3. Fully go into the slot at the rear of the windows.

The pictures show some measurements used for my particular car.

You are right about Dusty. Our loss---let's hope he returns.

Jack

Jack-I seem to recall that one of the wives did some nice stitchery on a window mod. (probably wrong, but still really nice windows)
SS

Scott--that Stayfast material is some thick thick stuff. I had an upholstrt shop do mine for me. Stiching looks great and he used the same size thread that was already on the windows.

Odd material. I wanted to adda third (center) latch on my top andf at the same time I wanted to tighten it up---it was sagging like a lot of them I see. After I got everything back together the top has stayed very tight for over two years now. It seems to sag only once and after that te-tighten job it stays tight from then on.

Xlnt (and I bet your wife CAN sew a nice banjo case...just sayin' !)
Thanks for the details, SS
ps: a tight top plus a little sag ain't so bad!

I wonder if Steve plans on extending a window flap down from the vinyl or canvas top. Then he could modify the A pilar so that the front part of the window material would somehow slide inside the A pilar and be held in place with pole.Perhaps the back part of the window flap would be a zipper that could open up. The window flap could then have a snap at the bottom and be attached(folded back) to the inside of the top when not in use.From a pure layman non-engineer point of view. It would probably not work.

Huh? ......... just gotta wait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU

Bwaaaahaa, only the shadow knows what lurks in the hills of Tennessee.

Hey Clint it looks like SAS has updated the YOUTUBE presentation on leaking Speedsters

Excellent definition of the problem. Steve has nailed the reason these tops can let wind and water in.

I thank Steve for delving into this issue ---a great service to most Speedster owners and I look forward to part II.

Thanks, Steve!

You know "old dogs and new tricks", well he must be trainable.

Jack I think Part(s) 2 are in the works and should be posted very soon.

Nolan, it looks like Steve has been working on his YouTube skills - he has posted two (2) more videos about the Speedster Side Curtain solutions and problems.

Take a look at these:

Solution #1 Oversized Side Curtains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugcQyUyHf8

Solution #2 Metal Framed Lexan Side Curtains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzASSr7Hmyo


Clint

MMMmmmm What's next?

Clint. Do you know if there is going to be a part 3, hopefully wiuth a magic bullet cure? So far it's nothing that we don't all already know.

Troy, I guess I see these videos a little differently. Over the years, I have had many potential Speedster owners come to me for advice that did not know that Speedsters did not have roll-up side windows. They expressed surprise when I commented on this aspect. I would like to think that SOC serves a wide range of Speedster lovers, many that do not know the information in these videos. I expect that in the end SAS will offer some sort of improvement.

Just a question. Doesn't Intermechanica have elctric roll up windows in place of the side curtains? I realize that this compromises the authenticity. Do those electric windows seal better against the fabric roof?I think the videos a very interesting. Again simply speculating. However it seems to me that the Roadster version has engineered in proper sealing so the glass seals against the roof and the A post. The challenge would be to find a similar solution on the Speedster yet make it look as authentic as possible. So far only SAS and Intermechanica do the glass windows. I'm assuming the cost of engineering this in would require substancially upping the price of each car sold.So if glass is not used and a separate piece to fit in under the flaps is not used then it would have to be a combination of extending the roof with extra material(with flexable clear plastic)but some how anchor the front of this to the A post with a seal on the rear of this extra material to the area where the roof forms the shape of the rear window.Inside this plastic window there would be an opening for air and the toll both etc.You could not anchor the back part of this extension because you could then not open the door without disasembling the thing.

Woops-I just realized about 15 seconds after my post that extending a flap off the roof cannot work either. Sorry for my brain lapse. So it has to be either the expensive glass solution or simply a better engineered separate piece that simply seals better.