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 MGF Technical - Newton Commercials Windstop

Last year I promised myself a windstop as soon as the hardtop came off for the Summer. After looking at what was available, I settled on Newton Commercials. The windstop arrived in two days and I fitted it last night in less than an hour following the clear instructions. There is no drilling and the black “leather” finish matches my seats and hood roll cover. The windstop appears understated when compared to its more expensive rivals but looks the part – and I can remove it in five minutes when I fit the hardtop next Autumn.

Hope the sun keeps shining this weekend

Brian

You shouldn't need to remove it to put the hard top on.

- Andy
S6 AJG
Andrew Gilhooley

While you don't NEED to remove the WS to fit the HT, I must admit I too tend to just undo the nuts and put the "screen" itself away for the winter too, leaving the mounting brackets in place.

One thing to watch is that the nuts that secure the panel do tend to come undone! However finger-tight will keep it in the right place - I keep thinking I ought to find some nylock wing nuts and that would be easier to retighten!

Neil
(Also with NC/Chromdesign WS)
Neil

Obviously there is no need to remove the windstop to fit the hardtop. But for five minutes work it allows us to use the rear shelf for sweaters etc.

Brian

I too remove the windstop for the winter and the bonus is that it gives you a good chance to give it a thorough clean AND oh-boy does it need it after a summer of keeping drafts and dust of the back of your neck.

Ted
Ted Newman

>>But for five minutes work it allows us to use the rear shelf for sweaters etc.

... but that's where the soft-top goes!!

Forgive my ignorance, but is the NC windstop not hinged?

- Andy
S6 AJG
Andy Gilhooley

Yep, it has a cantilever type hinge that allows it to fit flat in the parcel shelf. The only problem I found last winter was that the brackets stuck up a little and the back window tended to rest on these brackets. This has left the window with a little "kink" in it, even though I used some toweling to protect it. However I would imagine that when it warms up a little the kinks will dissapear.

Steve.
Steve

With the hardtop on, the rear window unzipped and folded flat and the hood obviously folded there is a space between the T bar and the hood. This will take two sweatshirts, a scarf and two woolly hats (more or less) when the boot and bonnet spaces are full of holdalls, walking boots, anoraks etc. The windstop would make this space unavailable.

And- I protect the unzipped window with a piece of felt.
Brian

I do know of one or two people that fit the Mk1 hood cover before fitting the hard top - protects the hood and allows you use the back as a 'parcel shelf'.

You only have to make a couple of small slits by the rear clips to allow fitting.

Ted
Ted Newman

Bloody hell, Brian - you're doing well to get all that into that space!!

To be perfectly honest, I never considered the use of that space at all. I guess I may have been too nervous about damaging the hood.

- Andy
S6 AJG
Andrew Gilhooley

How easy (if possible) is it to raise the roof with the windstop fitted. At the moment without one I can just reach behind whilst still seated to raise the roof, if I buy one (which I want to) could I still do this.

I also unzip the screen before lowering the roof is this hindered by the windstop?

Thanks.

Chris.

Chris

Both raising the hood and unzipping the screen become a bit more awkward due to the windstop.

Brian

hi there
i have just fitted newton windstop last week and then went on jaunt to parents(140 miles) i noticed on way back that it started to slip backwards and after a while folded itself right down!!!!!

have raised arm slightly so that windstop rests on headrests a little...is this common as nut and bolt seem fairly tight???

R119 HAN
bhavash

I don't suppose that you could overtighten the nuts at the corners of the windstop, unless you strip the threads that is! The only effect of overtightening would be to prevent the thing being folded. The other fixings can be tight enough to prevent all movement.

Brian

Brian,

The NC windstop does not make this space unavailable as it folds flat onto the parcel shelf. I protect my window with a BRG fleece blanket with the hardtop on - the brackets still managed to leave a slight mark on the window.

Bhavash,

Not sure how your windstop folded back down, as mine always wants to move forward due to the back draft - the problem is if the seat is not well back, then the windstop does not stay vertical.


I would say it is nigh impossible to fold the roof down with the windstop up - and if the windstop is down, the roof folds onto it.......

Steve.
Steve

The hood folds perfectly with the (Newton Commercial) windstop up.

Drove to work this morning, hood down with the temp at 1C and the windstop is a great addition.
Brian

Yes, but you cannot fold the hood down, while sitting in the car with the windstop up, and as Chris asks above, it is almost impossible to pull the hood back up with the windstop up. Well, I cant manage it anyway...
Steve

I always fold the hood from outside the car anyway as I try to put a straight crease in the screen (if its not zipped out)

If it starts to rain and the hood is down I just drive faster until it stops. This keeps the rain out quite well.
Brian

<<it is almost impossible to pull the hood back up with the windstop up.>>

I find it quite easy to put top down and up, whilst sat in the car with windstop.

Whilst sat at the wheel, simply put right arm behind you, tuck fingers into the center section of the soft top, and lift it up, simple.

Don't try and go over windstop, just go round it.


paul weatherill

I agree with Brian - I always get out of the car - putting the hood down to avoid creasing the Screen, and putting the hood back up - I tried it from the seat and nearly dislocated my shoulder - I am getting old now!!

Steve.
Steve

Don't mention age - today is my birthday

Brian

Non windstop = (RHD car) left arm reach behind you and grap the windscreen plate. Pull forwards.

Windstop fitted = (again RHD car) partially lower driver's window, RIGHT arm reach behind you and grab the frame (rubber window seal part). Pull forwards, note, be careful with your fingers.

I find either way very easy, but then i am 6'2" tall so i have a better 'angle of attack' than a smaller person would.

SF
Scarlet Fever

You can also reach directly back over your shoulder (arm moving in entirely vertical plane),grasp clip, and pull forwards. Harder work, but fewer physical contortions involved. After a couple of attempts, finding the clip is pretty straightforward.

E
Ed Clarke

Guys, I was thinking of buying the NC windstop myself but the concern that I now from reading your comments, is the design of the thing. There appears to be a problem in that the windstop will either fall away from or towards the seats - or in other words, it won't stay vertical. This seems like a design flaw but is it one that you guys who own one, can live with? I don't want to pay 170 quid including shipping (or AUD$500-600) for a windstop that isn't going to do the job. I guess what I'm really asking you is this - is the NC worth the dosh for what it does? Does it do the job and are you happy with it?

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers,

Phil
Phil

The NC windstop does the job perfectly.

What happens is the nuts that hold the windtop up vertically can loosen a bit which causes some movement. It's just a case of tightening up the nuts.

This is compounded if you raise and lower the windstop a lot. I do as I sometimes I want a breeze, I have to tighen the nuts about once a month. Secondly, if you drive at high speeds, 90 mph plus, the buffeting can push it slightly foward. No problem when the nuts are tightened, I have had mine at an indicated 130mph and the windstop was solid as a rock, bloody noisy wind though, lol.

It's not very stylish, but it does a great job of stoppinf buffeting, can be raised and lowered whenever you want and can be removed and put back again in about 1 min flat, great if you use the parcel shelf for carrying stuff.
Billy Bob

Phil, it is cheap and cheerful. It stops the back draft. Don't expect any other thrills.

Whether the fact that it doesn't properly stay in position would be irritating I do not know. If you think this would bother you, then there are alternatives from MG themselves, and the likes of Mike Satur. They cost more. They perform the same job. Your choice.

I went for the MS FX windstop and am happy with it - but the MG item is very good too.

HTH

Rob
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/windstop_data.htm
Rob Bell

If you are tall and have your seat back, or just tilted back, the windstop sits against the headrests - no problems..... to give you an indication, I am 6ft 2 ins and with The seat comfortable for me driving, there is no problems. The Passenger seat can also be pushed back - again no problems then exist, as it sits against the passenger headrest. I have not bothered tightening the nuts up on mine because it is easy to fold down when not in use.
Steve

Guys, I made the 'd' last night and went ahead and placed an order for NC WS plus MS's sun mate and screen saver (phew - spent some bucks last night). Thanks all for your advice and comments. It'll probably take a couple of weeks for the stuff to arrive. Only wished I had ordered is sooner - tomorrow (25th) is our ANZAC day and weather in Canberra is going to be sweet. Would've been nice to go for a hoon after the parade.

Cheers,

Phil
Phil

Her Ladyship drove with the windstop fitted for the first time last weekend - an instant hit!

Brian

I took the plunge and bought a NC windstop on Monday.... Its arrived today..... The sun is shining outside, cant wait to get home - get the windstop on and take her for a spin!!!!

Get my 1st year service done next monday - my K&N is getting fitted after this service!!! I CANT wait!!!

Wayne Heath

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2002 and 24/04/2002

MG MGF Technical index

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