A friend tried the car cover thing. Didn't work at all.
No side windows issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 56
From: Troutman, NC
Good idea but at 80mph towing and winds from front side or back there is an amazing amount of force on those windows and even when stock I have driven 80mph in a side wind and have the top lip of the window lift out away from the car. I don't see how I could get your idea to work but the concept is good.
It's a real easy fix to cover the window opening for towing.
I got a local boat top guy to make me some custom fit Sunbrella covers that I Velcro into the window openings. I put snaps at the leading edges of the covers so they can't blow off at 90 mph on an open trailer while in transit. And since the entire perimeter of the opening is covered with Velcro, they're pretty much waterproof.
Plus, they're easy to install (20 seconds) when you don't want to cover the car in the paddock and it's raining.
I'll post some pictures when I get home this evening if anyone is interested.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: St. Paul Minnesota
Here's the pictures of my windows that I made. Note: This is only showing the passenger side but the drivers side is the same.
Door Snaps:
Windshield pillar snaps:
Roof snaps:
There's snaps behind the seat too but my camera ran out of batteries and I couldn't get that one.
All snapped in:
It might not look pretty but it keeps you dry and sure is nice when trying to wash a car with no windows. Helps keep some heat in during this cold weather too.
Door Snaps:
Windshield pillar snaps:
Roof snaps:
There's snaps behind the seat too but my camera ran out of batteries and I couldn't get that one.
All snapped in:
It might not look pretty but it keeps you dry and sure is nice when trying to wash a car with no windows. Helps keep some heat in during this cold weather too.
Last edited by Git Er Dun; Nov 9, 2009 at 10:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: St. Paul Minnesota
Thanks. It works pretty good. Hardest part was trying to get the plastic cut the right size and then getting the body snaps riveted in the right place to snap to the curtan snaps that were on the window. Good luck. If you have any more questions feel free to message me.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Philly'ish
Great threads and thanks for the great ideas! I just bought a dedicated track car without side windows and was trying to figure out a solution. Especially with an open trailer.
Question, as another alternative, has anyone trying using a car cover and TOWING on an open trailer for cars without side windows? Would securing the car cover with bungee's to the car itself be enough to keep the cover on the car?
Curious to hear about any experiences with the car cover option.
John
LS2 E36
Question, as another alternative, has anyone trying using a car cover and TOWING on an open trailer for cars without side windows? Would securing the car cover with bungee's to the car itself be enough to keep the cover on the car?
Curious to hear about any experiences with the car cover option.
John
LS2 E36
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 250
Great threads and thanks for the great ideas! I just bought a dedicated track car without side windows and was trying to figure out a solution. Especially with an open trailer.
Question, as another alternative, has anyone trying using a car cover and TOWING on an open trailer for cars without side windows? Would securing the car cover with bungee's to the car itself be enough to keep the cover on the car?
Curious to hear about any experiences with the car cover option.
John
LS2 E36
Question, as another alternative, has anyone trying using a car cover and TOWING on an open trailer for cars without side windows? Would securing the car cover with bungee's to the car itself be enough to keep the cover on the car?
Curious to hear about any experiences with the car cover option.
John
LS2 E36
I'd like to see a picture of Falcon's solution.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 224
From: Northeast FL
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 1
From: DFW TX
I think five star is where I found the curved lexan for side windows. You need the big sheets to do a C5 window. If your door is gutted, and you have removed the inner part of the shell, there are nice keyhole style mounts on the outer skin that hold the lower edge trim of the side window. Easy to put some screws or binding posts into your lexan to mount there. The uppr mounts are more problematic, as there but a couple of brackets and dzus style fasteners and you can make it work. I'll try to get some pictures tonight.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pile Up WA
Not sure where you got this idea but "ALL" the ALMS GT cars run side windows and have completely enclosed cockpits, have for years...
~s
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 56
From: Troutman, NC
Here you go:
This is what the covers look like. Notice the Velrco lining the edge of the cover that is turned with the inside towards the camera. That mates up with Velrco that is attached to the opening on the car. Also, there are 4 snaps on the cover that mate up with the male snaps on the window opening.
Here's the car's window opening. Notice the Velcro lining the edge of the opening. The cover's Velcro mates up with this. Also, see the male snaps for the cover to attach to.
Here it is attached:
This is what the covers look like. Notice the Velrco lining the edge of the cover that is turned with the inside towards the camera. That mates up with Velrco that is attached to the opening on the car. Also, there are 4 snaps on the cover that mate up with the male snaps on the window opening.
Here's the car's window opening. Notice the Velcro lining the edge of the opening. The cover's Velcro mates up with this. Also, see the male snaps for the cover to attach to.
Here it is attached:
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Philly'ish
You'll need to sign up to see the pics if you're not already a member but a few more interesting ideas for temp side windows on this Rennlist thread.
John
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 34
From: Brunswick GA
i was thinking more about this...for someone who has a cage it would work, if you don't not so much (why did you remove your damn windows!?)
essentially get some like 14 gauge steel, create 2 side windows and attach them together by a center pole, and have a couple roll cage attachments. You would have to be able to open a door to put it in and take it out, but it would be sturdy and removable. Here's some MS Paint for your enjoyment
a fab shop could do this relatively quick/cheap..looks like a have a new project
essentially get some like 14 gauge steel, create 2 side windows and attach them together by a center pole, and have a couple roll cage attachments. You would have to be able to open a door to put it in and take it out, but it would be sturdy and removable. Here's some MS Paint for your enjoyment
a fab shop could do this relatively quick/cheap..looks like a have a new project
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 34
From: Brunswick GA
Here's what I ended up doing:
It's obviously not the most "protecting" way of going about it. But at motels on the road, I'm parked close enough to my room that I'll hear them break the plexi, and it makes it more difficult for them to look and and see if there's any valuables in the car...plus it will definitely keep the rain off my seat and out of my data loggers
It's obviously not the most "protecting" way of going about it. But at motels on the road, I'm parked close enough to my room that I'll hear them break the plexi, and it makes it more difficult for them to look and and see if there's any valuables in the car...plus it will definitely keep the rain off my seat and out of my data loggers
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 24
From: Raleigh NC
Do you have any pictures of how yours attach. I made a variation of Falcon's design, but have an issue with closure at the top. Jody's is fastened on exterior and I trying to fasten on the interior. Have to add that I just have a thin fiberglass top and industrial Velcro adhesive is not holding. No place to add snaps.
Thanks,
Ed