Car Cover for Targa Top

[hutchwe]

Has anyone found commercially or made a car cover that covers only the open cockpit with the roof off and window up? I can't find one made for the 914. They make them for the Boxters. There are many days that I'd like to keep the top off while at work and not be afraid of a little sprinkle or dust blowing.

Any ideas?

HUTCHWE

[campbellcj]

A guy named Perry (Kiele I think???) makes a neat little partial 914 cover called a "carbrella" or something like that. It covers the roof and windows only, and apparently pops on really quickly/easily.

Sorry, the details are fuzzy and I forgot his company's name and everything. I believe he is on the RennList, or if not people there definitely know him and could steer you in the right direction.

[joehahn]

STOP! Look no further. Call Perry Kiehl now. 1-800-867-4712. I bought the top for same reason...at work want to just cover cockpit. The thing is awesome. Covers all the way around plus engine grill. Very pleased with it. Only $90.00. Worth every cent.

[Dave Bell]

I bought one from Perry about 2 months ago... paid $100. I will forward you the info by e-mail and attached are two pictures of the cover over a beautiful 914.

Nice for keeping the interior cool... also nice to keep the rain out with some of my leaky seals.... but then I won't see any rain out hear in So Cal for many months now.

- Dave

[Jim T]

Sounds like a good product.
But is it really quicker/easier than just covering the whole car! Covering the whole car doesn't take long, even if the roof is off, and you get full protection.

[Dave Bell]

I'd say an entire car cover is probably just as easy or easier for a small car like the 914, especially a light weight cover. The only advantage of Perry's cover is that the material is very heavy duty, will probably last forever and the cord system to attach it to the car should keep it from blowing off under just about any conditions. In some seasons we get some pretty big winds in the hills were I live around LA and car covers often blow off.

Fortunately the windy season doesn't come at the same time the rainy season comes... the windy season comes just in time for the fire season... but that is another story.

- Dave

[JP Noonan]

Pro: cra covers help with door dings and protest paint interior.

Con: time to put on especially with a mast antena and boxy mirrors, where to store in a 914, and sraches the paint if the car isn't clean.

I live in Miami, will that Perry cockpit cover stand up to full on down pours? Quick to put on and covering the engine, sound's like just what I need. If it isn't rain it's leaves getting in the the fan, and of coarse from there they clog the cooling fins and oil cooler.

TIA

[Dave Bell]

JP -

The cover will definately stand up to a heavy down pour. The material is some sort of heavy rubberized sail material??? that does not absorb any water.. it all rolls off. The main reason I got it was for the rainy season out here.

A few months ago I had to weld/repair some major floor and fire wall rust holes/cancer that looked like they were due to a poor seal on the rear window from the PO. In fact I found that my worst leak problems came when the car was just sitting in the rain. Rain would roll in various seal problem areas Then I installed new carpet.... and I did not want any new water leaking in so I had three choices... quit driving the car on rainy days, (not an option since it was my daily driver), immediately buy lots of new seals and re-adjust the roll up windows to seal right or buy a Perry cover and replace the seals slowly. ...so I decided to go for the cover first and replace the seals slowly as I go.

The cover kept the water out in all kinds of rain and it also covers the engine lid so water does not fall in there. In the mean time I have found some seals cheaply at swap meets and some alternative seals at an auto interiors store and picked up some expensive
"real" seals from Pelican. In the end, taking my time with the seals, I may save enough money to pay for the cover.

When I use it, I store the cover in the front trunk. I have the press-board separator out and the front trunk floor has been taken down to bare metal and coated with POR-15, so I have no problem throwing in the cover with residual water on it... the front trunk is not going to rust.

- Dave

[914986]

Wow guys, thanks for the positive feedback on my "Umbrella Cover".

The reason the cover happened in the first place, is that out of the 13 or so 914's I've owned only two or three of them didn't leak when parked in the rain. I love to take the '14 on trips but hated getting wet carpet (a new wool one at that) when it was parked outside during a shower. This car even had all new seals on it! Nature of the beast I guess.

Anyway I used to have a guy that worked for me that had done some upholstery work many years ago. We got some samples of different material and he made a cover for me, and it was the best accesory I'd ever had for my 914. Keeps the black interior cool on hot days, dry during the rain, and keeps the dust out too. So, we made some more and started selling them. I won't retire on it, but it's cool to know that I've come up with something that will help other 914'ers enjoy their car more.

The details; it's made of a marine top material that is waterproof , opaque, and is not breathable (I don't care what the ads say it's either waterproof or breathable, but really and truly not both), it has bungee cords sewn in the corners with adjustable plastic hooks that fasten to the fender lips, wheels or rockers. The price is $100 for the current stock of 10 that I just got, but my upholstery guy told me today that the price is going up $10. I do pay for shipping though, and I was able to keep that price for the last four years (until now that is).

I promise you'll like the cover. I've only had to take one cover back, and that was because they sold the car on a whim, and never used the cover. If anyone doesn't like the cover, I'll refund them all but what I paid for shipping.

PK
a914man@netease.net
914 Network
731-847-9146
800-867-4712

[robby750]

I bought one of these covers used from someone on this board. It is exactly what I had been looking for and worth every penny! I have never seen a 914 that didn't leak and since I don't have a garage, I would have to deal with a wet carpet after every rain. This thing solves the problem. It goes on or off in seconds, folds up very small, and is completely water proof. You could even use it with to roof off to keep out the sun and dust. I caught mine on something and put a small tear in it a few weeks ago so I took it to a trim shop to have it repaired and I asked the guy how much he would charge to make me a new one. He said $200.00! Thank goodness I know where I can get a replacement now.

[anthony]

This sounds like a cool product but I went with a regular cover from California Car Cover made of their Superweave fabric. It is truly waterproof and breathable. The material is also thin which makes for a very compact cover when rolled up. The cover is also custom fitted and has two side mirror pockets. It takes less than a minute to put on and maybe two minutes to roll up and take off.

My priorities were superior rain protection but also protection from the sun when the car is parked all day at work.

http://www.calcarcover.com/car_cover_select.asp

[3D914]

hutchwe,

Here is a cover I designed myself. It is made using a soft, inner cloth and outer water-proof vinyl. Same material used for small aircraft cockpit covers. It will work with the targa top on or off.

It has only two front tie-downs. The rear has cloth-covered metal tabs that latch under the engine lid for greater security. It covers all glass area and the engine lid. Folds up easily for storage behind the seat or in either trunk.

Can be replicated for around $125.00. I haven't had one made in a while so I'm not sure if the price is higher.

I use mine with my daily driver while at work. Keeps the car much cooler in Phoenix than is possible with just the targa top.

Keep it cool!