Ever got caught going topless?

It's not a problem - just have to keep the speed over 80km/hr and you can drive in quite heavy rain!

 

I suppose you could use an umbrella until you are under a bridge or in a parking lot...
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I'd suggest you just stow the top as intended. It really doesn't take more than maybe a minute to stop and put it on. I've been caught in the rain quite a few times, especially during the last May/June in MD. I just pulled over, put on the top and went on my way. Then, when the rain quit, pulled over, took the top back off!

 

Removing the top from behind the seats is really a PITA.

Here in Australia it gets pretty hot and wet at times. I nearly got caught out last summer so I came up with this idea.

I took my car to my motor trimmer and he made up this cover for me.
It covers the roof nicely, waterproof and is made from high grade tonneau covering and its internal construction is PVC plastic so it's waterproof.
Its padded, suckion cups secure it firmly to the side windows and fits nicely into the trunk and only takes 10 seconds to fit.

I leave it on in summer when it's parked and is on hand if it starts raining.

All up it cost me about US$200.00.
Money well spent if you ask me.

Here are some pics...... Bob.
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Drove X19's for many years and often got caught out. Trick is to keep driving, fast and you won't really get wet - well you may in a FL storm

Actually I saw a nice canvas version of an X19 targa roof like the one above, but because roofs are cheap the one I saw had cut off the front and rear edges of the roof section and stretched material between them. This gave the effect of almost a factory looking roof when on that would kind of fold/roll down to a mass of material that you could get your hands around, so easy to stow. I also say a plexiglass version of the X19 targa section - anyone make a glass GTS roof ?

Lee

 

I don't get it. On my 308 it takes me perhaps 10 seconds to slide the top out and up from behind the seats and put it in place. Seems to fit very nicely and easily. Being made from fiberglass it's not heavy and so it's a one-man show. Am I missing something?

 

that is really cool. seems well made and well thought out.

i do have to add that you guys have it made with 308 GT(S) cars. many know i am a GTB guy, but you have not struggled with a cars top, until you have had a Lamborghini Jalpa and tried to remove or replace the damn top by yourself. its a nightmare!

 

If you are 6'-4" tall like I am, storing the top on board makes for uncomfortable driving...

 

Wow, going topless and rain brings back a very fond memory. Was dating this wonderful, sexy woman (she was 41 and looked like she was 25, seriously). Was out for a fun drive and i could see a HARD rain line coming towards us. i pulled into the left turning lane behind a car that was waiting for the stoplight to change as there was a gas station across the street. You could see the rain getting closer and closer and the light was still red. JUST when the rain reached us the left turning light turned green and we ducked under the gas station overhang next to the centrally-located convenience store. We were both bit rain wet, looked at each other and laughed. It was a lot of fun actually.

 

Thats the spirit !

Have fun tomorrow , I'm fixing a heater hose and getting to that last unpainted mag.

 

My S2000 CR has a removable hardtop that takes two to get on/off, at least in less than an emergency that would justify the risk of scratching up the rear deck with the pointy locking pins. Here in NC, many days are 23:55:00 of sun/moon and 00:05:00 of rain and that latter part means the top stays on 80% of the time, dangit. When caught out, like kerrari, just drive fast and the airflow carries away all but the heaviest rain. (over at the S2000 forum, the saying is, "if you put the top up, the storm better have a name, ya wuss") And at all times keep half an eye out for gas station awnings, covered garages, etc. in case of a downpour. For parking in dubious weather, keep a silvery lightweight tarp in the trunk, $9 at Chinamart including tiedowns. On the CR, a tiedown goes around each side mirror, the front of the tarp is trapped under the wipers, the middle edges are pinched in the doors, and the last two tiedowns go around the wing struts.

And women still complain "ewww ... smells like water got in here."

 

Amen. It's probably the best designed non-automated convertible top ever made.

If you want to get literal about the times, with two people I could probably get it stowed in 20-30 seconds. Solo, I walk around both sides so probably more like a minute.

 

your right whats up with that?

 

Thats what I do. Have been caught a number of times like that. Here in Florida you can usually see the rain comming so most times I've been able to pull over and get the top in place before the rain starts.
Driving in the rain is not so bad, it is a chance to use the windshield wipers. Usually the next day I'm wiping the car down with speed shine to remove the dried water drops, and I'm ready for the next drive.

 

See http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163211 for a folding parking top.

For me, tossing the targa top in the back works fine. If one is some sort of mutant giant, then you're SOL

 

I am 6'4", and stowing the top in the manner shown in the manual was a pain -- I had to readjust the mirrors between "top on" and "top off" driving.
Now I stow the top with the inside forward, slid to the side so the driver's seat back misses the edge.

There are a couple of drawbacks to this.
The seats leave marks on the top, if you don't bother with the cover. But my top isn't pristine anyway.
The passenger seat back still gets shoved forward. (And trying to push the seat back against the stowed top strains one of the bolts where the seat back attaches to the seat.)

I'd love to see a top with a piano hinge down the middle so it could fold -- there's plenty of room behind the lower part of the seat backs. But the shape of the 3x8's top makes a hinge a non-trivial adaptation.

Nope. I found, in my Alfa Spider, anything above 30 mph will keep "normal" mid-atlantic rain out of the cabin. (I haven't tried this for florida downpours.)

At 6'4", the leading edge of my driving cap would get a bit damp, though.

 

I was going to post about the folding temp top but I see Tillman beat me to it. I have one of those and it works great. You can't drive with it on though so it's really only good if you are caught in a short shower. It seems there is another alternative although I'm not sure how well it would keep rain out... http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=100004&products_id=284255

 

OMG, I can't believe you got caught in the rain and your letting everyone know. What are you going to do when you sell your car, it will have potential rust issues which everone will now know about. Holy Sh-- are you kidding me you are worried about a little water sell the car now before it just crumbles from rust. I'll give you $4,00.00 right now, but don't wait cause next week I'll only offer 500.00.

One question, do you wash your car?

 

So if you lick it clean, why are you worried about water. You never go far from the car, you don't drive far. What do you do with it besides panic from a scratch, a bit of water or any other potential effect which may decrease its value.

Oh yeah, $144.00 is an outrage for a piece of canvas which fits perfetly over your 328's open top. Ever go to a restaraunt and spend that without a decent bottle of wine - you are in NY, right?. What will you do when something really expensive needs to be replaced or repaired? EBAY.