I thought about it as I froze with the top down last week. Cover the passenger seat, keep all that warm air in... Rick?? Anyone??
Mike

 

I see this as part of a larger issue (and apologize if you think I'm hijacking your thread). The thing that covers the top when it's down (I think we call it "boot" in the US) is just too much bother to put on and take off for most S2000 drivers and takes up too much trunk space when the top is up.

Some re-think here could result in a product made of a much lighter material that could also cover the passenger's seat with the car moving and the driver's seat for short stops.

 

I've actually been working on a concept similar to what your talking about Crabby. It's kind of a lycra 'cap' to replace the hard boot cover. It's not bulky and can be removed in about 30secs. Hopefully I'll have it worked out by summer. The first prototype is a little too flimsy plus sewing skills are zero and it takes some persuading to get the mother-in-law to help out.

 

I'd die for a true tonneau for our cars. (Well, not really, but you get the idea.) I had one with a roadster I drove many years ago, and I really miss it now. It's not just for looks. It has real practical value.

But whoever tries to come up with one is going to have to not only design the cover, but also devise a way to attach it. The older cars had snaps all around the top edge of the body of the car and at the front of the dash to fasten the tonneau down with. (We didn't have to deal with rollbars and headrests either.) If someone just came up with a cover that you have to lift off when you drive, that would defeat much of the purpose. So there would need to be some installation work to install the fasteners. I'm not holding my breath.

But man, I'd sure love it if there were one!

 

I love the way a tonneau looks but are they practical. I have a factory tonneau for my Miata but I can raise the top, zip the backwindow and connect the W/S latches in 1/3 the time it takes to install the tonneau with all it's snaps, etc. Then when I come back to the car, unsnapping and unzipping and then rolling up my half of the tonneau to put behind the seat is a PITA as well. Then when it rains hard the zipper leaks on the radio and ruins the radio. Sure looks good though!

 

Well, I guess it depends on the climate. When I had mine, I lived in Southern California. I drove it to work every day and the passenger side basically never came off from April to October. All I did was unzip the driver's half, tuck it behind the seat, and I was off!

Heck, even here in North Carolina, if I had one, I'd probaby leave it on any time there wasn't heavy rain in the forecast.

It's really, really, nice to be able to put stuff on the passenger seat, drive with the top down, and not have to worry about the stuff blowing away. It also keeps the sun off the passenger seat upholstery while you're driving, and saves wear on the top as opposed to raising and lowering it all the time.

I didn't even realize Miatas had them. I don't think I've ever seen one with it on.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by baritone
[B]Well, I guess it depends on the climate.

 

Cheetah,

If you want a S. California opinion on the product, I am available!

 

Yep, mine was on a Triumph Spitfire. Didn't have to worry about burning out the motor for the top, because there wasn't any!