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MG MGA - windstop answers

Loved them.
Yes I prefer to wear scarf/flying helmet and would like to afford an Irvine. I find this more a problem in the spring and autumn/fall when not dressed for the North Pole. I'll bet I am the oldest grumpy ranter on this thread and my wife approaching 80 prefers a jaunty scarf to looking like a sheep. Like Barney I use the tonneau a lot and I agree the pictured examples do look obtrusive. My son in law has them in wire mesh on his MGB. I might try experimenting with various materials myself to see what is possible. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
H L Davy

Here is my attempt for a custom windstop :
http://www.mga1600.fr/index.htm?remous
(sorry, text in French, but you can use an automatic translator, or just look at the pictures !).
I found the Moss or other products too obtrusive. Also I wanted to make a device that I could set up or remove from the car in 20 seconds max, and also lower and hide behind the seats in a fraction of seconds, just to hide it, or use the tonneau. Well, it works, and it really brings more confort during long journeys.. or even for small trips on cold mornings. However I think the design of my glass is too rounded, it will be modified in a new version.
Merry Christmas ! Joyeux Noël !
Chris
Christof

I have found the sports screen on my car alters the airflow quite bit. I probably don't get quite so much turbulence round the back of the neck; instead, because the screen slopes at a greater angle (Le Mans stanchions) and is about 3 inches lower, I get a bit more refreshing air on the top of my forehead. It does of course alter the whole concept of car use as the hood does not fit, nor the side screens! Not everyone's choice I know, but I think it enhances the car's looks and, more importantly, it seems to accelerate a tadge quicker and possibly has a higher top speed.

The picture below says it all in comparison to the standard car belonging to Cam Cunningham. Note also the upturned collar!

Steve

Steve Gyles

Christof

It looks like your windstop works really well.

The only thing that worries me is having to wear the blue wig!! :-)
c firth

Mr Davy,
I made a perspex windstop with aluminium brackets fixed to the roof frame mounting brackets. Took the car out to try it and it seemed fine. Then the first big truck (lorry in the UK) went past me, and the perspex flapped about so much it scared the living daylights out of me. So i removed it, never to use it again. A flat hat is my solution!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Steve
I would expect your sports screen will give your car a measurably higher top speed because of reduced drag.

"In theory" I have noticed that my cars top speed hits a wall at 100 in 5th gear with the soft top down but this increases to 110 with the top up.
You can actually feel the reduction in turbulence with the top up.
Its a shame that, for me being over 6 ft tall, driving with the top up is such a claustrophobic experience.
I can see almost nothing out of the side screens unless I duck my head down.
I have sometimes wondered if anyone has ever thought of making a soft top out of transparent material, or at least of fitting some transparent panels into the section immediately above the side screens?
Probably look a bit weird!

But back to wind stops, I also wonder if a curved one would reduce turbulence in a similar fashion to the soft top?

Colyn

c firth

Colyn

I think the disturbed air on mine tends to hit the aft fuselage rather than the back of the seats area. My folded down tonneau used to flap a lot if the exposed zip area was left undone. Now it never moves.

The frontal cross-section of my car is a smidge less than the normal so I would expect a small increase in speed, perhaps 5 mph? I got an accurate 100mph (just) with the traditional windscreen hood down, 1800V, 5-speed, 4.3 dif. Its now sports screen and 3.9 diff.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I was travelling alone for 4 days so had to feed myself on route. (The air bag was in her own car!) I opened a tube of Pringles, but dropped one before it got to my mouth. It dissapeared over my right shoulder (LHD car), and a split second later it flew back past my left ear to land on the dash cowl in front of me. This proved the airflow pattern in an MGA roadster with the top down.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Thats brilliant Peter!

There you are Steve, I knew there would be some advantage for us keeping with a standard windscreen!

Our escaping Pringles will fly around a little and then park them selves neatly on the dashboard for future consumption.
Whilst on your car with the sports screen, it seems that your wayward Pringles will come to rest behind you on the rear tonneau, frustratingly just out of reach! :-)


Everyone have a great Christmas

Colyn

( I wonder if English Electric ever discovered the benefits of Pringles in determining airflow over the Lightning? )
c firth

Or they don't get blown out of my hand in the first place.............!

I once went on an 8.5 hour flight in my Lightning, landing in Oman. During the flight I undid the 'tupperware' lunch box that contained a tube of orange juice, Cadbury's chocolate (wrapping already removed, Pringles crisps (loose) and sandwiches (cut into small mouth sized cubes). The change in pressurisation sitting at 39,000ft had syphoned out the orange juice and I was left with a brownish sludgy porridge to consume! Those were the days.

Happy Christmas one and all

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 17/12/2013 and 24/12/2013

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