Section : Hoods and Hardtops

Fitting A New Hood

Posted By : Larry Evans, 12-Feb-2006, 11:15am

• Fitting A New Hood

  Posted By : Bob Bowling, 12-Feb-2006, 04:41pm

  Well I have read an article on it in the practical classics vitesse restoration compilation, and will be doing mine next week. So far, I have got the old one off, and have cleaned up the frame ready for a coat of paint. Will let you know how it goes...

  • Fitting A New Hood

    Posted By : Larry Evans, 12-Feb-2006, 06:58pm

    Thanks Bob, Good luck & keep me informed!
    
    Cheers for now Larry

    • Fitting A New Hood

      Posted By : Chris Taylor, 13-Feb-2006, 06:05pm

      This topic has been covered a number of times. I suggest you do a search of this messageboard.
      From my own experience on a herald, you need:
      1. A properly fitting hood, as close to original pattern as possible. Perhaps others can recommend teh best fit for Spits.
      2. Two people. You need to tension the hood evenly, and one person on either side of the car makes a HUGE difference to this.
      3. A nice hot day............ It helps the creases to drop out of the fabric and makes it a bit more flexible so you can tension the material better.
      4. Lots of patience and persistence. Do NOT be satisfied with second best or you'll regret it for a long time to come. You can only really do this job once, so persist until the fit IS right.

      • Fitting A New Hood

        Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 13-Feb-2006, 07:42pm

        So: who in member's opinions sells the best hoods? Two Heralds to do soon so am keeping my ear to the ground for recommendations..!!

        • Fitting A New Hood

          Posted By : Jason Chinn, 13-Feb-2006, 07:51pm

          Coventry Hoods (might be called Coventry Trimming can't remember) best fit and finish and not too expensive.

        • Fitting A New Hood

          Posted By : Chris Taylor, 14-Feb-2006, 08:58am

          Not sure about Spitfires, hence my comment. As regards Heralds, I posted some comments last year. During the course of that it appears that Bill Davies (Rarebits4classics) stocks Herald hoods made by the original manufacturer. For obvious commercial reasons he was not keen to reveal who that supplier is, but that is where I would go for my next hood.

      • Fitting A New Hood

        Posted By : Frank Bell, 14-Feb-2006, 01:16pm

        he that keeps his/her ear to the ground gets dirty ears

• Fitting A New Hood

  Posted By : Julian Saul, 14-Feb-2006, 07:25am

  Here is a link to a MkIII installation
  
  http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/67t_ragtop....
  
  For the rest it is a very good site to everything Spitfire related.

  • Fitting A New Hood

    Posted By : Stephen Pratt, 25-Feb-2006, 09:49am

    I have just bought a new hood for my Spitfire 1500 from the TSSC Shop and will be installing it as soon as the weather warms up! I have looked at the article on the Spitfire 1500 website which gives excellent advice and photos. I have also got the Practical Classics Spitfire restoration manual, in that book it mentions the use of Double Sided tape for fixing the header rail to the hood material rather than using contact adhesive, has anyone used this method, or is it better to use good old Evo Stik?

    • Fitting A New Hood

      Posted By : Jeremy Wilkinson, 14-Sep-2006, 07:07pm

      Hi,
      I would be very interested to hear on how you got on with your installation on your 1500 spit - I have just ordered a new one & will be fitting it providing the garage is warm enough ?
      Regards,
      Jeremy

• Fitting A New Hood

  Posted By : Ben Taylor, 03-May-2007, 04:46am

  My current project is a new hood for my 1500- I've got the old one off, and I spent yesterday stripping everything off the frame. Today I plan to take the frame to bits, get the old paint off, de-rust it, re-paint it and put it back together again (might do that over a couple of days, depending on how long it takes!
  
  Then comes the fun of fitting the hood!- that article above looks quite handy, but does anyone have any other tips?

  • Fitting A New Hood

    Posted By : Wayne Farnworth, 03-May-2007, 07:36am

    
    Ben
    
    Save your time & money and just have it blasted & powder coated.
    
    I tried painting mine. The points where the frame moves soon eat away at paint. Powder coating is much tougher and looks much better.
    
    It cost me £40 locally (cash job)
    
    
    
    Wayne

    
    
    Fitting A New Hood