Hoods - purchase & fitting

[Keith Scarfe]

Hi all - This is mainly a question for UK based people.
note this is in English, hood = the cover over the cockpit, not the cover
over the engine

I am now on the last part of my rebuild, I need to purchase and fit a hood,
hood cover and possibly a tonneau cover. I have a list of a couple of
companies and was wondering if anyone has had any experience of any of
these supplying and or fitting said items. I am also considering whether to
fit it myself or get them to do it. Can any one comment on their past
experiences.
The contacts I have are:

Lotus specialists
------------------------
Mick Miller :- Good for bodywork etc don't know about trim?
Paul Mattey :- Good for mechanics and parts, don't know about trim?
Chris Neil :- I had one of their hoods before ? cheep, but I was not
impressed with its quality. Don't do fitting AFAIK.

Others
----------
Prestige auto trim :- picked up a leaflet at a show, looks ok, anyone used
them?
Aldridge trimming :- told of them by a friend, do their own fitting, look
expensive?

Any others I should be considering?

Thanks for any help.
Keith Scarfe (S3 DHC MK UK).

[Frank Howard]

I need to purchase and fit a hood,
hood cover and possibly a tonneau cover. I have a list of a couple of
companies and was wondering if anyone has had any experience of any of
these supplying and or fitting said items. I am also considering whether to
fit it myself or get them to do it. Can any one comment on their past
experiences.

Keith,

I ordered a black canvas hood for my S4 thirteen years ago from Chris Neil.
I think they called it duck cloth. I fitted it myself and am pleased with
the result. On the other hand, I also ordered a vinyl tonneau from them and
it is a piece of rubbish. It doesn't come close to fitting. Good luck.

Frank Howard
71 Elan S4 SE
74 Europa TC Special
Minneapolis, MN
U.S.A.

[SpeedModel]

Keith,

A Santa Monica, California based company called "Robbins" manufactures what
many consider to be to best production hoods and tonneaus. Robbins is a
manufacturer only and sell through distributors worldwide. Some of the
suppliers you listed might indeed carry them. I particularly like their
German type cloth hoods. You can also get hoods in original Everflex
material or PVC. If you buy one, I think you'll find that the seams are
straight, the size is right, and the overall craftsmanship is excellent. Do
yourself another favor and have a professional trimmer fit the hood for you.
You'll be miles ahead.

Eric Jeffries

[Richard Spelberg]

Try Mick Miller!
Chris Neil is famous, (for cheap quality!)
Regards
--------- Richard Spelberg ----------
------- L O T U S B O O K S -------
-------------------------------------
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Bodinusstrasse 9, D-40239 Duesseldorf
Phone: + 49 for Germany, 211 / 681766
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[starsign]

I have had two hoods from Chris Neil ( admittedly a few years ago), and they
didn't fit well. Water gets in at the front corner and over the window
frames. I am tempted by Arnolds Garages at Haslemere, who have been
advertising in the Club Lotus mag for some time Elan S3- S4 Sprint Everflex
style hoods at UKP158+VAT (Fit Kit UKP10).

Fitting yourself is not too dificult. Alternatively, get a coachtrimmer to
make one especially.

I bought a hood many years ago from a non-Lotus specialist and it wasn't
very good.

Don't forget they also come in several different materials, and the rear
window material varies in quality.

Richard

--
Richard Burraston ***@***.***

[SpeedModel]

Keith,

In case you have difficulty locating a supplier in the UK, I ran across the
following URL for an internet supplier of Robbins' hoods:

http://www.autostyles.com/lotus.htm

I hope this is of help. Please note the prices are in US dollars. BTW, I
have no affiliation with Robbins other than being very satisfied customer.

Eric Jeffries
Cincinnati, Ohio