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Triumph TR3 - Tonneau Recommendations

I'm preparing to purchase a new tonneau cover for my '61 TR3A. What suppliers are recommended? What are the tradeoffs of various materials? Do most come with the fasteners attached, or should I expect to install them myself? What aspects of "fit" will give me fits?

And while we're on the subject, what's the recommended fix for the odd lift-the-dot fastener that puts up a fight each time I try to unfasten it?

The benefit of general counsel would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Bill Stagg, 1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Bill - I can't advise you about tonneaux. (The "x" makes tonneau plural - that's one of the many benefits of living in French Canada and speaking the language of Moliere).

I bought my tonneau cover for $25.00 about 1965 from a TR owner who totaled his 3A and later sold me the tonneau cover after he re-discovered it. It fit perfectly and I still have it. Use it every time I park it outside. I never had touble with the posts for my lift-a-dots or the Lift-a-dots either. But these are both available from Roadster.

Now that I know your Comm. No. - I have to tell you that if you buy any Lift-a-dots, you will need to specify them "with straight threads and nuts" to attach to the metal-work of the car. Mine (before Comm. No. TS60000) along the top of the dash and tops of both doors have "wood-screw" attachment because my TR3A has wood pieces behind the metal - so I need wood-screw types.

I put all new Lift-a-dots on my cover in 1990 when I finished my restoration and they are great. When I bought my new top and my re-done side curtains from them (made by Larry Learn), I had to put in the new Lift-a-dots myself because every car is a little different. My side curtains are the early wedge type like the TR2 and TR3 where we have nice chrome supports for the sidecurtains on the inside of the door - mot the Dzuz fastener plates.

The position of the bottom Lift-a-dot just in front of the rear fender stone guard is different on different TR3A's. You'll have to be careful about that. Also, many of the new tonneaux have a slit and overflap in above this position. Why, I can't say. Mine does not and mine is fine.

One source is the LBC sponsor at the top of this BBS page. Check him out. Many say his products are reasonably priced. Ask him these questions. Others too.

The first law of "being a good consumer" is to have all the facts before you make a decision.

Thus endeth the first lesson on Tonneau Covers and consumerism.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

I've just bought a replacement tonneau for my 3A from John Skinner (in the UK). Previously I bought a tonneau for my other 3A from Moss. I think the Moss one was superior, but it was 8 years ago so maybe my memory is playing tricks.
Both covers required the lift the dot fastners to be fitted and it turned out to be fairly straight forward. Just get the thing central and start in the middle at the back, then front and work your way outwards. Living in Scotland I don't pull it too tight when first fitting it to the car. They seem to shrink slightly in the first couple of years. If you live in warmer climes you will probably want it to be fairly tight, as it may sag slightly in the heat.
My original cover and the Moss one had the slit above the B-posts. The John Skinner one does not.
I always go for vinyl as original. I believe it is the easiest to keep clean and the cheapest to buy.
Nick
n morgan

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2002 and 16/11/2002

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