Tonneau cover, homemade

[Vspeeds]

In anticipation of taking the Cobra out on weekend getaways, I made a tonneau cover. A photo of an original AC Bristol that participated in the 1000 mile Mille Miglia in Italy was my inspiration. I'm by no means a seamstress; I just enjoy doing something new and making things. I was hoping I could drive with the cover attached on the passenger side and with the driver side rolled up. However, the passenger side flapped around in the wind a little too much for my liking. It is not bad, I just don't want the flapping cover to ruin my paint job. Anyway, it is a good cover for when I retire for the night at some motel, hotel, air bnb, or wherever the wind takes me. There is no provision for the steering wheel so I have to remove the wheel to completely button up the cockpit. And that's ok too as it is a bit more security.

I already placed the male lift the dot fasteners on the body during construction and after paint. All of the materials and supplies I used, including the sewing machine, thread, tonneau fabric, edge binding, basting tape, fasteners, I mean everything where purchased from sailrite.com. So I first made a template with that clear material and held it in place with double sided basting tape. I cut the template to size, along with a circular hole for the fuel cap. Then I placed the template on the black tonneau cover material and cut it. Then on the outer edges, on the bottom, I sewed an extra 3.5" band around the perimeter for added thickness and strength. Then I attached the 2 front center lift the dot fasteners and the 2 rear center lift the dot fasteners to center the whole cover on the car. Then I marked where the zipper was to be placed and then sewed the zipper on. I used the "bind and slit" method of stitching the zipper. The method is on Sailrite's YouTube channel. Then I attached the remaining fasteners working from the center out. Then I sewed the edge binding on. And finally I used the 1" binding, folded it over and stitched it together to make 4 straps. The straps where also stitched on with velcro. Here are some photos:

[GTBradley]

Nice work. I love the look of an old classic car.

[GWL]

Nice work, I've copied your details here and filed it away for another future project for myself. Yes, I used to drive my old sports cars with the passenger side closed with no problems but I have heard that comment from others about the FFR roadster. Possibly add an internal strap to pull the passenger side down to stiffen the material when closed. I think I've seen that on other British cars.

I once had a heavy duty sewing machine and taught myself. I used to dumpster dive at a sail makers dumpster in the Annapolis, MD area and got some really nice pieces of 'throw away' material. Sewed up a bunch of items for my sail boat and made a bunch of Christmas gifts too.

George

[Sdonnel]

That looks great. I like the fact that you used the NRG hub and didn't have to account for the wheel sticking up. Most people walking by would never know there's supposed to be a steering wheel sticking up above the dash/cowl. When I order my snapless tonneau, I may have them omit the steering wheel pocket, as I'm installing the same hub as you. I love the ideas that get shared on this forum. As long as money and time allow, I'll incorporate as many as I can into my build.

Scott

[Vspeeds]

Nice work, I've copied your details here and filed it away for another future project for myself. Yes, I used to drive my old sports cars with the passenger side closed with no problems but I have heard that comment from others about the FFR roadster. Possibly add an internal strap to pull the passenger side down to stiffen the material when closed. I think I've seen that on other British cars.

I once had a heavy duty sewing machine and taught myself. I used to dumpster dive at a sail makers dumpster in the Annapolis, MD area and got some really nice pieces of 'throw away' material. Sewed up a bunch of items for my sail boat and made a bunch of Christmas gifts too.

George

George
Thanks for the idea for the inside strap. I’ll try that out.

It’s funny; I have a decent paying job but I also dumpster dive. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.

[GWL]

George
Thanks for the idea for the inside strap. I’ll try that out.

It’s funny; I have a decent paying job but I also dumpster dive. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.

I laugh...and being retired I still grab an occasional piece of wood (or two) from the dumpsters at construction sites in our community.

George

[Big Blocker]

Small boat sail "stays" (or anything similar) slid into pockets sewed on the underside will help stop the flapping . . . run them front to back for the best effect.

Doc

[Vspeeds]

Thanks Doc
Ill look into those "stays"

[DadofThree]

Great Job!

[ChopperJustin]

What template are folks using to accurately place the Lift-A-Dot studs on the body? - thank you

[GTBradley]

What template are folks using to accurately place the Lift-A-Dot studs on the body? - thank you

I wanted a template too when I put my Whitby tonneau on, as they only showed where the rear posts go for the soft top. For the front I used historical photos, but ended up placing them where they would make the tonneau the most even and taught.

Bradley

[Vspeeds]

What template are folks using to accurately place the Lift-A-Dot studs on the body? - thank you

I didn’t use a template neither. I did however replicate a 289 slabside from Superformance. I took measurements of their lift the dot locations. I could post/send them if you want.

[MPTech]

If you've got a heater, a tonneau is even better! Keeps the warmth in there REAL NICE!

[Vspeeds]

If you've got a heater, a tonneau is even better! Keeps the warmth in there REAL NICE!

No heater on this build. But my electric seat heater seems to suffice for California weather. High 50’s F in the winter. I made the cover mainly for covering up the cockpit overnight when traveling.

[tbl100]

Nice job. Looks great. I think I'll get the removable steering wheel hub as well.