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THE C3 RAINCOAT...anyone try it?

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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 09:34 AM
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Default THE C3 RAINCOAT...anyone try it?

I'd like to get the "C3 Raincoat" from Mid America. It's basically a canvas temporary top to cover the open T-tops in the event of rain. Not that I'll be driving in rain, but if I take the car to the golf course without the T-tops, I'd like to cover up when I leave the car for a few hours. Anyone have it? It's $300 so I thought I'd ask before I buy one. Any other brands out there? Thanks.
Old Apr 20, 2005 | 09:40 AM
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For half that, you could get a cover to protect the entire car! The benefit of the raincoat would be that it can used while driving...

Why not just put the tops back on?
Old Apr 20, 2005 | 09:57 AM
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If I keep the tops in the car, I have no room to put "stuff" in the car. Plus, I'd rather not fumble with clumsy T-tops at the golf course, the canvas thing seems easier.
Old Apr 20, 2005 | 10:35 AM
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I think I read where those things only stay on at legal speeds....so they could fly off with spririted driving in the rain....



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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 10:52 AM
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I have one and it works just fine. I've run it at 75-80 mph and it holds. The canvas does want to bow up at highway speeds but there is a tiedown that goes around the t-top to keep it down.

I love mine. Those darn t-tops are just too bulky to cary around on a day trip. Like you say with the tops in the back on C3s without the bubble back you have no room for luggage or anything.
Old Apr 20, 2005 | 10:53 AM
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I used one 1 season. It worked great just to throw it in the back for those unexpected rain storms. But the faster you drive- the more they leak. But they have a MAJOR flaw. They mount with velcro that is permenently stuck on your car--so as long as you use this system you CANNOT use your t-tops at all. The velcro is in the way. Pretty dumb. You can have mine if you want it, but you will have to buy all new velcro because I tore mine off and threw it i the trash.
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 01:25 PM
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I use to have a set that attached like the T-Tops. Same hardware as the tops, but it folded in half when off the car. Took up very little room in the car.

They held on really well at speed, but if it were raining out, they leaked above the windshield while driving.

When my tops were stolen many years ago, all I used for about a year was the canvas covered T-Tops. Someone could reach in at the top of the window and unlock the door was the main drawback I had.




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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 07:27 PM
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Is this what you're talking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by turtlevette
I have one and it works just fine. I've run it at 75-80 mph and it holds. The canvas does want to bow up at highway speeds but there is a tiedown that goes around the t-top to keep it down.

I love mine. Those darn t-tops are just too bulky to cary around on a day trip. Like you say with the tops in the back on C3s without the bubble back you have no room for luggage or anything.



I love mine and use it for all the reasons you list. I use a industral (silver) velcro and I have no problems using my T Tops too. see pic.

Old Jul 16, 2012 | 04:27 AM
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are there any better raincoat known in the meantime ?

looking for one, here in Austria we have unexpected rain very often, so I always have to take my T-Tops with me.

Would be nice to have another solution and not to have the T-Tops in the back of the seats all the time.

Thanks for your opinion
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:52 AM
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i just took mine out to see if it might work for me but it had deteriorated in the storage bag and i had to chuck it.they were around 10 years old from the previous owner. i agree on the downside of the velcro.
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 08:09 AM
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Get the brackets to carry the top on the luggage rack.... I've had my car 14 years.. Tops have been on maybe a dozen times...I don't bother putting them in most rain....BUT they are always with me.. just in case ...
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by U17
Get the brackets to carry the top on the luggage rack.... I've had my car 14 years.. Tops have been on maybe a dozen times...I don't bother putting them in most rain....BUT they are always with me.. just in case ...
good idea, but ....

where the hell is my luggage rack ?

(there was not and is not one and I dont want to drill into the chassis after 43 yrs )

Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by U17
[B][COLOR="DarkRed"] I don't bother putting them in most rain....BUT they are always with me.. just in case ...
Wait so you just drive when it is raining and let it come into your cab?

If that is the case, what is the "just in case" applying too?
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Lotus76

I love mine and use it for all the reasons you list. I use a industral (silver) velcro and I have no problems using my T Tops too. see pic.

Would sure like to see how you use your T Tops with the velcro in place, but the image doesn't show. Please repost or fix the link?

THANKS!
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ~Stingray
Wait so you just drive when it is raining and let it come into your cab?

If that is the case, what is the "just in case" applying too?
Yep, drive in the rain with the tops off.... Just try to limit the stops !!! Just in case.. like having the driveshaft come loose on the highway, almost taking off my leg... Then having to have the car towed and left outside at the shop ....
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 06:11 PM
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Had one for several years, and it worked pretty well even at extra-legal speeds. Very durable, and still in VG condition when sold to another CF'er. Yes, you can absolutely still use the T-tops if you're careful about how you install the velcro. Of course, you can see the velcro when the tops are off, but the silver would help a lot. Either way, that showing doesn't look half as bad as a luggage rack (sorry, JMO). Real downside is the adhesive becomes more difficult with time to remove. My $.02

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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
Had one for several years, and it worked pretty well even at extra-legal speeds.

did you have one like this one or another product ?



( seems there are more than one products available and I dont want to buy the same that other people told it is too short and does not fit)
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:26 PM
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Mine was the genuine article.
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 78IndyPace
Would sure like to see how you use your T Tops with the velcro in place, but the image doesn't show. Please repost or fix the link?

THANKS!
FYI, his post was from 2005. I would hope they have better options now but that's wishful thinking.



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