My old CMC never came with one. Does anyone make/sell them? Thanks.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
My old CMC never came with one. Does anyone make/sell them? Thanks.
A tonneau cover needs to be "fitted" to your car, so it's not something you can just order off the shelf - usually.
If your car already has "snaps" on the body, then you'll need to go to a car upholsterer or covertible top shop in your area and have them make a tonneau cover to fit your particular Speedster.
It's a handy accessory.
If your car already has "snaps" on the body, then you'll need to go to a car upholsterer or covertible top shop in your area and have them make a tonneau cover to fit your particular Speedster.
It's a handy accessory.
John or anybody,
This raises a question in my mind; is snap placement pretty much standardized along the back edge of a top or tonneau? In other words if I were to purchase a replacement top from a source other than my cars' maker is the snap placement likely to be workably accurate or is it advisable to buy a top without snaps attached and have them fitted by a local upholstery shop? Are all replica makers using the same number and spacing of snaps along the back?
This raises a question in my mind; is snap placement pretty much standardized along the back edge of a top or tonneau? In other words if I were to purchase a replacement top from a source other than my cars' maker is the snap placement likely to be workably accurate or is it advisable to buy a top without snaps attached and have them fitted by a local upholstery shop? Are all replica makers using the same number and spacing of snaps along the back?
The snap placement on replilcas is not standardized. I'd imagine no two cars from the same manufacturer are identical. But a new top or tonneau should work on almost any car. The "snap tops" have to be matched to the "snap bottom" placement on the specific car...not easy for DIY.
John,
This is scary. Whatever happened to the concept of interchangeable parts which is as old as musket manufacturing? Are you saying that the makers don't have a template to determine the positioning of the snaps and that each top is a one off?
(Message Edited 9/23/2003 10:02:42 AM)
This is scary. Whatever happened to the concept of interchangeable parts which is as old as musket manufacturing? Are you saying that the makers don't have a template to determine the positioning of the snaps and that each top is a one off?
(Message Edited 9/23/2003 10:02:42 AM)
These are "hand-made" autos. I'm sure the variances between cars are small - in the snap placement, probably miniscule - but no two are exactly the same.
I installed my new top myself (snaps and new headboard)and it turned out OK, not as good as an expert but who puts the top up much anyway. (Altho sometimes I get tired of responding to everyone who thinks its a neat car and you can sort of hide under the top). I would think a tonneau cover would go alot easier, but you need to be careful and plan ahead. Start from the middle of the car and go outward toward the sides, keeping the front tite while you do it. I'd like to get one for mine. Always liket them on my british roadsters.
ed
ed
You see photos of early factory Speedsters with different numbers of snaps, some cars had more than others, go figure. I like the German tennax snaps best. The supplier I bought mine from included a diagram showing snap placement. As they also supply the guys who do high-dollar frame-off restorations I assume they know what they are talking about. Tonneau covers are great.
Good to be alerted to the snap variation issue. I have an urge for a full tonneau also. I was sort of assuming the makers, especially VS, would be very standardized within their own shop as regards snap spacing. I can see that placement may be off very slightly and not be a problem, but seems it might be advisable to get replacement tops/tonneau without snaps attached if possible.
Erik, good to hear from you! Were you much affected by the hurricane? Any damage?
Erik, good to hear from you! Were you much affected by the hurricane? Any damage?
I don't believe any of the trims shops that make tonneau or canvas tops for McSpeedsters install the female snaps, for obvious reasons. Snaps are included for you or your local trim shop to install, I think. I love tonneau covers, an excellent upgrade.
Re tonneau, Henry told me to get vinyl, but with top of course a good canvas. I doubt there is any difference in size between JPS, Vintage or IM soft goods.
Greg, due to the track of the storm we got only two inches of rain and winds were less than 25 mph. No damage at Habitat For Erik.
Re tonneau, Henry told me to get vinyl, but with top of course a good canvas. I doubt there is any difference in size between JPS, Vintage or IM soft goods.
Greg, due to the track of the storm we got only two inches of rain and winds were less than 25 mph. No damage at Habitat For Erik.
Unattached females, hmmmm....
Makes sense, plus vinyl is cheaper I believe.
Glad to hear you survived Isabel unharmed!
Makes sense, plus vinyl is cheaper I believe.
Glad to hear you survived Isabel unharmed!
IM Speedster is getting the standard "half" tonneau and a full tonneau; fittings are Tenax. I asked that they DO NOT put Tenax fasteners along the doors for the full tonneau - just the normal rear fittings and two front/center fittings, with one fitting on each side near the windshield pillar. This wouldn't work well on a windy rainy day but in that type of weather my top will be up anyway.
George, do you opt for vinyl material for tonneaus also?
No, I went artsy-fartsy with German material for both tonneaus that matches the top.
Note that my roll bar is removable from the cockpit so I asked that both tonneaus be made to fit the car WITHOUT the rollbar installed since the bar is for competition use or auto shows only.
(Message Edited 9/23/2003 2:14:33 PM)
Note that my roll bar is removable from the cockpit so I asked that both tonneaus be made to fit the car WITHOUT the rollbar installed since the bar is for competition use or auto shows only.
(Message Edited 9/23/2003 2:14:33 PM)
I doubt there is much savings in a vinyl tonneau vs canvas. What Henry's rational at the time was vinyl is a quick and easy clean job, soapy water and a hose and it looks like new.
Come to think of it, how do you clean/treat a canvas top?
Come to think of it, how do you clean/treat a canvas top?
Mild soap/warm water solution and a brush, then rinse clean.
Eric,
Did I understand your post...Did you have the 'other' kind of snaps and went to 'tennax' or is this your initial bout with this portion of your build?
I have the standard Vintage application (which Kirk says are all different)and was thinking about switching my snaps to the tennax, but am leary of screwing up the body of the car switchin' and swapping and using pointy-power tools, etc.
MM
Did I understand your post...Did you have the 'other' kind of snaps and went to 'tennax' or is this your initial bout with this portion of your build?
I have the standard Vintage application (which Kirk says are all different)and was thinking about switching my snaps to the tennax, but am leary of screwing up the body of the car switchin' and swapping and using pointy-power tools, etc.
MM
Pauli,
My top is virgin, still in the box, no snaps. I bought tenax for the install. No top currently on the car.
The tonneau, however, was installed prior to me owning the car and has regular snaps; very cheesy install job.
When I have the new canvas top installed I will switch to tenax for tonneau also, even if that means I will need small patches added to the vinyl where the snaps were. And as I will be having the car painted, if I need to remove existing snaps from the body, fill holes with bondo or something and drill new holes for the tenax that is what I will do. I like the tenax not so much because they are "correct" but because they secure the top better compared to the snaps.
I don't know why the manufacturers don't use them for all of their new Speedsters sold, tenax snaps aren't that expensive.
My top is virgin, still in the box, no snaps. I bought tenax for the install. No top currently on the car.
The tonneau, however, was installed prior to me owning the car and has regular snaps; very cheesy install job.
When I have the new canvas top installed I will switch to tenax for tonneau also, even if that means I will need small patches added to the vinyl where the snaps were. And as I will be having the car painted, if I need to remove existing snaps from the body, fill holes with bondo or something and drill new holes for the tenax that is what I will do. I like the tenax not so much because they are "correct" but because they secure the top better compared to the snaps.
I don't know why the manufacturers don't use them for all of their new Speedsters sold, tenax snaps aren't that expensive.
Thanks Eric, so you anticipate the removal of the old snaps on the body will require some sort of repair in order to reinstall the tennax fastenerzzz?
I havent talked with Mr. Personality, the upholsterer that recovered my seats, about these changes. The snaps along the back hold fine, but I like to drive with the full tonneau in place and just my side open.... The front corner passenger stud doesn't hold any longer, so I was toying with adding new tennax across the dash, say three each side instead of the two configuration now...But they sure looked nice all across the back of Dale's car...grrrrrrr decisions.
Coordinating work is a hassle. I figured I'd replace my antiqued windshield and while it was out, get the dash stuff done before the flawless windscreen takes over... there goes my ambience.
I havent talked with Mr. Personality, the upholsterer that recovered my seats, about these changes. The snaps along the back hold fine, but I like to drive with the full tonneau in place and just my side open.... The front corner passenger stud doesn't hold any longer, so I was toying with adding new tennax across the dash, say three each side instead of the two configuration now...But they sure looked nice all across the back of Dale's car...grrrrrrr decisions.
Coordinating work is a hassle. I figured I'd replace my antiqued windshield and while it was out, get the dash stuff done before the flawless windscreen takes over... there goes my ambience.
Paul,
Re the male base of the old snaps on the car body, I don't know what their mounting diameter is compared to the tenax mounting piece, i.e., will the tenax mount in the same size hole as the snap? If it does then I will simply switch, plus add more per the diagram I was given with the tenax snaps. I am vague here but I believe tenax may require a special mounting tool; I heard that somewhere but don't know if that is true or not. To be honest, the tenax snaps look nicer and when you eyeball their design and how they work there is no comparison in their holding ability, but probably not worth the trouble to switch unless you are replacing the top.
Re the male base of the old snaps on the car body, I don't know what their mounting diameter is compared to the tenax mounting piece, i.e., will the tenax mount in the same size hole as the snap? If it does then I will simply switch, plus add more per the diagram I was given with the tenax snaps. I am vague here but I believe tenax may require a special mounting tool; I heard that somewhere but don't know if that is true or not. To be honest, the tenax snaps look nicer and when you eyeball their design and how they work there is no comparison in their holding ability, but probably not worth the trouble to switch unless you are replacing the top.
Erik,
Do you know the reason for the two different materials, vinyl for tonneau and canvas for top? I had been thinking that the more expensive and classier canvas would be better for both applications. I have all vinyl and would have preferred all canvas, but that's the way the car was equipped when I bought it.
Do you know the reason for the two different materials, vinyl for tonneau and canvas for top? I had been thinking that the more expensive and classier canvas would be better for both applications. I have all vinyl and would have preferred all canvas, but that's the way the car was equipped when I bought it.
I have a Stayfast canvas full tonneau and it is very nice. I think it was about a $400 dollar pop for the car. A vinyl tonneau was about $250. It was along time ago so prices may have changed. I personally like the vinyl and tried to go that way but the canvas was cut and installed when my waffeling mind made the final decision. As for the Tennax, wonderful. But they are a bit pricey. Seems like they were about $6.50 a set when Henry installed mine, and when you add them up, some on the top, some for the half tonneau and more for the full tonneau it costs many bucks more than snaps. But they look great.
John,
As I mentioned earlier, Henry suggested I go with vinyl tonneau. For my application on an old IM it makes sense, my car will never be a beauty queen. Henry stressed the ease of vinyl cleaning, however, if my car was a late model IM I would have gone with canvas.
Re the price of the Tennax, I bought them from Autos International. (760 737-3565) I don't believe they were priced anywhere near the $6 bucks a pop range, but I could be wrong. (When I spend money on this car I tend to mentally block it out...) Seems like it cost me about $50 bucks for enough Tennax snaps for top and tonneau. (It could have been more though, I don't recall.)
As I mentioned earlier, Henry suggested I go with vinyl tonneau. For my application on an old IM it makes sense, my car will never be a beauty queen. Henry stressed the ease of vinyl cleaning, however, if my car was a late model IM I would have gone with canvas.
Re the price of the Tennax, I bought them from Autos International. (760 737-3565) I don't believe they were priced anywhere near the $6 bucks a pop range, but I could be wrong. (When I spend money on this car I tend to mentally block it out...) Seems like it cost me about $50 bucks for enough Tennax snaps for top and tonneau. (It could have been more though, I don't recall.)
PS: I just recalled the manager at Autos International telling me he sells to trims shops, restorers and owners for the same price, no discount. If Henry quoted you six bucks a pop that may be with his mark-up; you may can buy direct a save a bit if A. I. is the importer for Tennax.
I apologize if this was answered earlier in the stream; does tennax style of fastener more accurately recreate what was used on original Speedsters? And if so, were they used at all attachment points?
Greg,
Yes. And yes.
Yes. And yes.