New Wind Deflector

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spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

New Wind Deflector

Post by spidernut »

After reading several threads on wind deflectors, I bit the bullet and bought one from Raceland for a Mazda MX-5 Miata. I couldn't bring myself to drop $250+ for one "designed" for the Spiders.

I looked at the brackets that others made (search threads for wind deflector for the plans) and they didn't work that well on my car so I fabricated my own custom brackets to fit. It was pretty straight forward to do.

The improvement with the screen is amazing...no more buffeting in my ears so I can hear the stereo much better, the wife doesn't complain about being blown around and it is a much quieter and more civilized drive with the top down. I never thought that I'd love having this on my car, but I really like it!

Some pix:

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John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
So Cal Mark

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by So Cal Mark »

nice job, they really do work well
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giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by giuliot60 »

Looks great JG!

How much was the Mazda screen?

Do you have to loosen & tighten the nut/bolts to move it up or down? Or does it move up and down without?

GT
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
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spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by spidernut »

The screen costs $49 plus shipping - a far cry from the $250 screen from IAP.

The screen has one pivot point where you can adjust the tension. Once adjusted correctly, you can push it up and down with no tools. I added a second pivot point for added ability to adjust the height by about 1-2 inches. Once I adjusted the screen to clear the headers on the convert. top and the back window, I was able to lock the factory screen pivots in place and use the ones I created to raise and lower the screen...again without any tools.

I've asked a local shop to give me an estimate on producing the brackets. If the price is right, I'll offer a conversion kit. If not, I'll post the dimensions and list the hardware needed.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
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btoran
Posts: 630
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:26 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Northport, NY

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by btoran »

i'd be interested in a conversion kit (ie set of brackets). also, can you post the part number for the windscreen itself?
1975 Fiat 124 Spider
spider2081
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Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by spider2081 »

Looks great. Really very nice. What did you attach your crafted bracket to on the car?
124Germ

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by 124Germ »

I am also very interested in it too.....either the dimensions of the brackets to make my own or purchase them pre-made.

Thanks...looks awesome
Jeremy
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spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by spidernut »

Hang tight...we have two quotes for the brackets and I have to source the other hardware. Looks like it will be very affordable compared to the $250 screens the major vendors carry. It's an easy install too.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
FiatJim
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Posts: 192
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:29 pm
Your car is a: 1973 spider refurbished
Location: Greensboro, NC

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by FiatJim »

This sounds like a great add-on for this spring (should it EVER get here)
spider2081
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Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by spider2081 »

Thanks John
I responded on face book to a bracket kit. I assumed it was you, but I am interested in the bracket kit.
nibbes123
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Posts: 579
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:45 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario Canada

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by nibbes123 »

Would like to know about the bracket kit also.
Thanks
Nick
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fiatmike124
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:07 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by fiatmike124 »

I'm also very interested in a bracket kit
Mike
1981 Fiat Spider 2000
2011 BMW 328i Coupe
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
2003 Yamaha V-Star 650
spiderverde

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by spiderverde »

I also inquired on Facebook
Count me in
How soon do you think they may be
ready to ship once you have the order in ?
Thanks
Ray
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by azruss »

Here is what i did with EMT tubing and landscape cover cloth. Built a 2nd smaller one very much like the mazda shape. Did not work nearly as well and wifey complained about it. It created a strong breeze outside to inside along the back of your head. So i went back to the one in the pictures, changed the brackets and lowered it about an 1". That improved the look without sacrificing effectiveness.
Image
Warren
Posts: 132
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:25 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider

Re: New Wind Deflector

Post by Warren »

Some folks like the Raceland Miata R style (scalloped) windblocker; some pictures of it are shown on the link provided back in February 16th posting on Miata Windscreen subject. Both styles are effective in blocking the wind.
Warren
Sylacauga Alabama
1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
1974 Dodge Dart Sport Hang 10 (in restoration)
Multiple other cars, trucks, and boats
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