Has SAS come up with a solution for leaking Speedsters?

Paul, You are on the right track. IM does have power glass side windows on their newer Speedsters. Henry indicated that they worked well but I have no experience.

The windshield shape of the IM Conv D Roadsters and the SAS Cabriolets makes the situation much better and solutions for these cars seem in hand.

I suspect the SAS series of Speedster leakage videos will eventually cover everything that is out there with analysis. Hopefully, SAS will add a new wrinkle to this issue.

Development is indeed expensive and the solutions may be complex and costly. These aspects may discourage most of the assemblers. Perhaps this is why I opted for a coupe or maybe I'm no longer Spartan enough.

I likewhat Steve had to say about thwe larger windows. He made the windows higher for what he corrwectly calls a "jam fit" but did not do that f0r the front and rear however. The front needs to go far enough to cover the windshield post from the inside--this way the water moves along the outside of the window. My origional soft windows would actually get sucked outside the window post making a dandy funnel for water to come right inside the car. Now zero water comes in that way.

The real too needs to be made longer ---a lot longer for the same reason.

Dusty got this part right 3 years ago.

I'm anxious to sees the other vid about the metal framed windows.

My hat is off to Steve for looking into this issue!

You're right Charles. I should have said "most" of us don't already know. I'm all for posting anything that explains the issues, but I'm just a little skeptical that there is going to be a solution at the end of all this. I sure hope so.

Jack, After you commented, I went back and watched Steve's video again. I think the solution that he addressed in his video was the solution you came up with, to include the front and back edges of the side curtains as well. Actually, your solution gets pretty good marks from Steve in the area of effectiveness. As you well know, it may have some shortcomings in other areas.

Troy, remaining skeptical at this point is good. If there is a solution to a problem that has been going on for years and has frustrated many, I am willing to wait a few weeks longer. After all, making these videos takes awhile and SAS must assemble a car or two along with entertaining folks on YouTube and SOC. I remain optimistic.

I should check a post before I hit "send" It said "the real needs to be made longer" That should have been REAR. Sorry.

Good points, Charles. I too am interested in the next chapter. You and I both drive our cars rather than using them just for a Sunday morning jaunt for coffee so we are interested in weatherproofing these cars. The weather may be nice on Tuesday when I start out for carlisle but it could be far different the following week when we head for home. We can pick and choose the time for the coffee run but not the trip home---we have to deal with the weather that occurs then.

Seems to me that the aluminum frames would provide a viable solution to most of the leaking issues. My 58 Healey 100/6 had them and as memory recalls leaking was not a problem, although the windshields were not like the speedsters. They did provide access for fresh air, paying tolls and grabbing a Big Mac.

Kudos to Steve for posting these informative videos on a nagging problem that most of us have experienced from time to time.
There are several steps that are necessary to really make the tops and windows watertight. Although enlarged side curtains and plexiglass replacements help tremendously, they really are bandaids for a symptomatic issue.

I've had the pleasure of riding with Dave Mitchell in his awesome IM 911 Speedster during a decent downpour in Pismo last year. I can attest to the claim that IMs don't leak. There are three basic reasons and it doesn't involve the glass power windows.
1) Henry places the windhield post almost flush with the door edge which eliminates the 1"+ gap that serves as a waterfall during a rainy drive.
2) Along the side of the windshield post, IM speedsters have a unique piece of rubber weatherstripping that acts like a catchers mitt when the window rests against it. That piece of rubber extends down and connects to the door weatherstripping, acting like a downspout on a house. Henry sent me a piece of this material and it is quite flexible. Unfortunately, it won't work with the forward windshield placement.
3) Probably the most important is the fully articulating scissor-framed top. It stays taut, regardless of speed. I am thankful that both Alex from Fibersteel and Mango Man are doing a pictorial development for retrofitting to our pan-based replicas. No matter how big or how snug you make your side curtains, when you get up past 70 mph that loose top heads for the heavens. I know a few people have experimented with strategically placed sticks and turnbuckles. Somewhat of a "blue tape" approach but, whatever works, right?
Anyway, I commend Steve and everyone else who has experimented for the benifit of all of us here.
BTW, there is a good pic in Dave Mitchell's photos that shows windshield placement and weatherstripping. Take a look if you're interested
https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=777joee&f=P1050367%2Ejpg

Never noticed the post placement before. Holy Crap, it is really rearward towards the door edge. Got a good look at Sloane's car and it shows well. Are the steel Speedster w/shields oriented this way? Gonna have to look at that.


EDIT: Heck yeah, the steel ones are at the edge too. My freakin' w/shield is over an inch forward!

~WB

I just recalled that Dr Choy has a Beck with the aluminum framed side widows. Does anyone know if his Speedster leaks at all?

Hey Doc, can you let us know?

Steve has posted another video in his "Why do Speedsters Leak?" series.

Looks like this one is on Non Framed Plastic Side Curtains - I wonder how many more solutions he has up his sleeve.

Solution #3 - Non Framed Plastic Side Curtains
http://youtu.be/aKmOiTZkmmQ

Clint

Nolan, the doc has not commented on SOC for awhile. Hope all is OK.

I finally got around to viewing all three videos (been a little busy around here lately).

"Solution 3" is a variation on what I did on my top and side windows, but I altered the top with another seam to cinch up the double flap at the top of the window to make it all seat better. Do they still suck out a little when I go by a Semi on an interstate? Yup, but they still seal and keep water and air from coming in, so it CAN be done, even if it's not perfect. I also made the rear edge of the side window overlap the so-called "pocket" just behind the door such that it can't become a scoop. That helped a lot. So I can just get into the car and (carefully) close the door and everything closes up and seals about as well (maybe just a bit better) than Steve's solution 3.

I'm waiting for the next solutions. I believe Steve's really on to something........

Well, Steve was really busy this weekend, he has loaded the next solution and I know everyone on the SOC will enjoy this one.

Steve discusses the current available option for Rollup windows in a Speedster.

Looks like this is Number 4 in a 5 part series.


SOLUTION 4 - Rollup window
http://youtu.be/k4GQZJv4jvo

Clnt

I'm glad you SAS guys are following this - I've been out painting my trailer to get ready for Carlisle.

Gordon, I think most of us SAS guys are following this thread out of curiosity since most of Steve

The fact that SAS would go to these lengths with little or no possibility of financial benefit for his efforts speak volumes concerning Steve's place in the realm of speedster manufacturers.

Bob

Well said, bob. I sure agree.

.... we'll see about that.

There's no solution yet-- only a careful presentation of the problems on a car with the floppiest top I've ever seen.

And I thought Henry was the "second coming"
Bye Bye Henry...Hellooo Steve....

Stan, One of the official state songs of Tennessee is "Rocky Top", a bluegrass country song. It is referring to a mountain near Knoxville. Perhaps when this thread is completed, we can petition to have it changed to "Floppy Top".

Meanwhile, I suppose we will have to be content with Robert Mitchum singing "Thunder Road". Or maybe stop in to see if Geraldine is at home.

I agree with Stan. So far nothing new, just a nice description of the problem. Hopefully, video number 5 will show us the solution and we will all wonder why we never thought of that before.
Meanwhile, the videos should be added to the newbies section.

Move the windshield back and shorten the top to make it taut. The side curtains should fit better. Add liners to the wheel wells. Good start, but not the total answer.

...and now, the long-awaited solution...THE BLUE TARP GULLWING SIDE CURTAIN. Eureka!!!!!! I knew it! Spy photo of car spotted somewhere in Tennessee.

Blue tarp; taut top; tightning tab ... I am guessing 'no'.

Rich, You could be on to something here. Where do you store the gullwings when the top is down? Should I integrate them into the top or add additional snaps? Oh heck, I'll just let Lane try it out and let me know. Lane is like Mikey, he'll try anything.

Wrongo, Charles. I'll NEVER try chitlins.

You have a good point, Lane. I actually prefer mild Buffalo wings to gullwings.

Rich, have you gotten your car yet?

When you have a opportunity take it out in a driving rain and go about 60 mph and then report back to the Forum how it performed.

I know my 356A Cabriolet does not leak, I experience probably the worst condition you would want to drive in and I posted my comments at:

https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=22887

So when you have driven your car in a rain storm, let us know how it "doesn't leak".

Once I get some of these gull wing side curtains installed and a roll of blue painter's tape what could possibly go wrong? I guess a trip through a drive thru lane or a stop at a toll booth comes to mind. But, hey, there sure do enhance the appearance don't you think? Excuse me for a minute, I must go remove my tongue from my cheek...

Rich, I think you're on to something, or is it "on something"...
Anyway, my color senses have me cross-eyed regarding the blue gull wings.
A gentleman of your rank and smell is certainly capable of a more appropriate choice.
Say, plaid?
;-()

Terry, I think you might have the option of the brown/green reversible model. Time will only tell if this will come to fruition. It would be a swell thing for all the hunters come fall.

Rich, you may want to consider making them somewhat larger and structurally tie them in to the car's frame. They mount a propeller to an extension off the drank and you'll have a way to fly over traffic problems. Hey, it could work.

Due to the popularity of this solution, it has now become available in the nice reversible color model...the green and brown version.

Rich, all kidding aside, I recommend that you add the sealing strip that I did to my top to create a seal along the front surface of the windshield.

Well I think we might be getting close to seeing what Steve has been working on for his alternative to the Speedster leaking issues.

Steve has just posted a Summary to

I'm on the edge of my seat....seriously

It

Not really fond of the white tint he's got there.

Other than that, though . . . looks pretty impressive.

The reason for leaving the white plastic on the Lexan is so that it photographed well and without reflections. The reflection associated with a clear piece of glass would not have been particularly helpful in explaining the attributes of this new approach.