MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Thoughts on tonneau covers

What are the current thoughts on material choice for tonneau covers?

I don't have a hood on my car so the tonneau cover is used all the time. There appears to be various types (densities) of vinyl and mohair available.

Regards...John
John Bray

I have the Stayfast tonneau from Moss Motors on My 61A and it is great. It did take some streaching to get it to fit originally, however 3 years later the fit is still great even thought he cover has relaxed a little bit.

Jim
JP Jim

John,
I have a mohair tonneau from Brown&Gammons bought many years ago but still going strong. It is a full length version going all the way back to the hood fixings which I would reccomend.
Make sure it is a cover with a zip in the middle so you can use it on cold days to keep a bit of heat in if driving alone.
Mine was used to good effect this morning when it started to rain on the way to work (yesterday was hot enough to have the roof down).

Neil
Neil Purves

I have had vinyl and stayfast. Vinyl shrinks with age and gets harder and harder to snap in untill it just finally tears. My choice is Stayfast. I prefer the length that attaches to the metal just behind the wood. Can be left on all the time bacause it does not interfere with the top. This one has a Stayfast tonneau.


R J Brown

I have a vinyl and a Moss Stayfast. In my opinion the Stayfast is vastly superior. Barney's web site has great instructions for installing the covers.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

Thannk you all, for your comments. Stayfast looks like the best option but I don't think its available in the UK. Neils mohair type is quite tempting and looks smart but strong money.
John Bray

John. I talked this over with two friends who are professional upholstery people. The Stayfast, a canvas product, and German Cloth (similar to Stayfast but with a basket weave pattern on the exposed side) would be their first choice when making a tonneau cover. Both are expensive materials to make a tonneau out of. Neither stretches well. Vinyl stretches, allowing a good fit if the tonneau is made with less than perfect correctness. Vinyl costs a lot less for the raw materials.

They, also, pointed out that exposure to the elements, especially to the sun, will be a big factor in choice of materials. If the vehicle is stored inside and rarely left parked in the elements, either form of material will last a long time and continue to look good. The more the tonneau is exposed to the elements, the shorter the effective life span of the materials.

So, much will depend on how much you want to spend, with conditions of use impacting, significantly, on how long and how well the tonneau will hold up.

Les
Les Bengtson

Les, so which one will last longest when exposed to the elements?
Neil McGurk

I've had one of a Scarborough Faire's Everflex tops and tonneau on my car for 17 years covering many miles. Very happy with both items. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

FYI, the best reference I have found on the various materials is from Robbins:

http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/toppings.php

Many suppliers just say their material is Mohair. Stayfast, Sunfast or German Cloth are all sometimes also called Mohair. In fact, there are several grades of each. This reference also shows the colors and the inner layer patterns for various materials.

I'd be surprised if you couldn't get any of these in the UK. I purchased my tan "Stayfast/Mohair" hood from a US supplier who said it was made in the UK.
Chuck Schaefer

Yes, we have Mohair in the UK and now I know that it's the same as Stayfast I feel much better! I thought we were missing something!
Neil McGurk

Les, good sound advice, in reality my car when it's not being used will be stored in the garage away from direct sunlight.

I seem to recall Neil, you and I looked at most of the cars at Silverstone last year (while we waited for the elusive Steve Gyles) very few had Mohair hoods or tonneau's.

So does anyone in the UK (apart from Neil in Belgium which is close)use Mohair as a tonneau material?

Indications are that Stayfast is a little difficult to source on RHD cars in the UK.

Prestige appear to offer a good range of options with possibly 'SV' vinyl the best choice.

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/info/hood_materials.htm
John Bray

That's right John!

Just had a look in the new Moss catalogue, guess what? Tonneau covers are now listed in vinyl, 'Durable' canvas and 'Stayfast' cloth!

So I checked last years catalogue and they also had "Stayfast listed then.

Now we just have to find one to see, John!

BTW, I'll be at Silverstone again this year.

Neil
Neil McGurk

I have a standard set of vinyl weather equipment on mine. When I spoke with Bob West about "better" materials like mohair, and others, he warned me against it because it would (allegedly) be too bulky to fit well, folded, in the already restricted area behind the seats when set well back. I don't claim any knowledge on this because I decided to leave well alone!
Neil - I will be at Silverstone Saturday again. Will you stay overnight for the buffet/speeches evening?
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

Yes Bruce. I thought the presentations were a bit boring. I get the impression that the the MGCC consider members to be more like employees than customers! However, it's a very convenient meal and a good place to meet!
Neil McGurk

Bruce,
I must say that my Stayfast tonneau folds beautifully when draped behind the seats. In cold weather it is much more supple than the vinyl one. I even have little canvas bag that I store it in on the rare occassions it's not on the car.
Cheers,
Gerry
G T Foster

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2010 and 22/03/2010

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.