S3 DHC hood - experience and recommendations

[dunclentdr]

My S3 is nearing the end of a body restoration, French Blue, at SMS and needs a new hood - Sue Miller is out of stock.

What experience do you have with hoods, particularly which supplier is best, the fit and best materials?

Thanks

David

[jimj]

I bought one a few months ago from Sue but had to wait for them to come into stock. I can`t fault it.
Jim

[elansprint71]

Regarding "best" material: probably double duck is the "best" but it weighs an absolute ton; my duck tonneau was weighed when I got it and it was nearly three times as heavy as the old original-type item. Duck looks better but is not original, lasts almost forever (I know a 1920s Bentley with an original tonneau still in use) but I'd take Jim's advice and go with Sue's product, she probably sells more of them than the other suppliers.

[Spyder fan]

I have one of Sue's canvas hoods on my S4, fabulous quality and very secure and no flapping about even at non legal UK speeds. The fit to the screen top is the most important imho and this is done with a semi rigid PVC/Nylon lip that is a perfect fit including a scallop in the middle to miss the screen brace rod.

The canvas ones are easier to fit and less affected by temperature. Vinyl ones are more original I suppose, but who cares about that when it's raining?

I did 125 miles with mine up yesterday and yes it was raining otherwise it stays in the boot

[cusword]

I bought/fitted one of Sue's hoods over ten years ago. Still looks good. I would wait for hers to come back into stock......

David

[nebogipfel]

I bought/fitted one of Sue's hoods over ten years ago. Still looks good. I would wait for hers to come back into stock......

David

Ditto

[el-saturn]

paul matty sold me mine (vinyl) 30 years ago: still perfect (well almost) - the front corners (where the front lip quits) are a bit tatty! i'm pretty sure he still stocks them and then there's this american company robbins?? - enjoy yr sunday ride, as i just did sandy 36 4982

[pereirac]

I fitted a double duck hood years ago and while it lasted it did fade to a nasty grey colour? My vinyl one has been going strong for years but it's time to splash out for a new hood. I will probably get one from Sue..
Prestige Autotrim in Birkenhead tell me they supply hoods to Paul Matty and that the rear window is about 1" bigger than the original. They also mentioned that some hoods (not theirs) have rubber around the windows?? Never seen that myself, anybody know if that was original?

Carl

[gjz30075]

My original hood (72 Sprint) had rubber to fit around the window frames

Greg Z