Yet another windscreen option - more pics

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Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by Jimb »

This one I made out of 1/2" aluminum tubing and then a leather sock with the screen sewn to it. It connects to the stock top strap bolts. I reinforced the side panels to support the weight. Extremely easy in and out...and best of all, no alterations from original.
My wife loves it!

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The curve of the flat panel fits right on with the top boot shape, and I can put the boot in or raise the top with the screen left in place.
Sorry for the bad lighting.

Jim
Last edited by Jimb on Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
burgandy81
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:38 pm
Your car is a: 1981 FIAT Spider 2000
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: Yet another windscreen option

Post by burgandy81 »

Really like that!

Any more shots of the connection detail?

Very well done,

Jordan
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Yet another windscreen option

Post by Jimb »

burgandy81 wrote:Really like that!

Any more shots of the connection detail?

Very well done,

Jordan

Thanks Jordan.
I'll take a pic of the connections and post it....hopefully later today.
Cheers,
Jim
supplyguy

Re: Yet another windscreen option

Post by supplyguy »

I would pay you for one!
SunnySideUp
Posts: 640
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:02 pm
Your car is a: SOLD

Re: Yet another windscreen option

Post by SunnySideUp »

NICELY DONE!!! If you decide to go into production with that please sign me up for one.

(LOVE the Spider, too!)
SunnySideUp
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by Jimb »

I've reinforced the side panel and the screw for the top strap catch is longer to accommodate the new aluminum bracket. I simply remove the screw on each side and the screen comes out and then reinsert the screw with the hook catch. The nut for the screw is fixed in place.
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I made the sill that each screen fits to out of maple and wrapped it in leather to match the seats. The vertical screen is hinged to drop back if I want.
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This winter I will paint the aluminum black. Right now I'm driving her too much

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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by RRoller123 »

Man that is nice!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by Jimb »

Thanks.
Being a first try if I was to build another there are a few minor things I would do differently but generally I'm happy with it. And it really does make the cabin more comfortable especially on the highway and with the side windows up. At least my wife thinks so.
Cheers,
Jim
looker44
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:43 pm
Your car is a: 81 FI 2000
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by looker44 »

I will take one! Have a price?
LStevens

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by LStevens »

Jim, it looks like your set-up is in 4-pieces; (2) aluminum legs, (1) screen, (1) ???? laying flat perpendicular to the screen. What is the flat piece? It looks like it's also some type of screen since it has a see through mesh from the photo taken pointing upwards. Steven
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by Jimb »

Hi Steve, the flat panel is exactly the same constructed screen as the vertical panel: 1/2' aluminum frame, leather sock with the screen mesh sewn to it.
Cheers, Jim
wikkid

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by wikkid »

That is a gorgeous labor of love! Bending square aluminum tubing; sewing leather "tube socks; sewing mesh screen all around two large panels; figuring out all the hardware bits (such as for making a hinged panel that stays up vertical under wind load, but that folds back flat when desired), and making it so not only does the vertical panel hinge back flat, but that you can raise your top as well.... WOW. Bravo!

If I understand correctly, the maple you used is for the hinge "bar" that goes across right behind the seats.

It also looks as if you made a nice lockable storage area out of the package shelf area. Did you post a thread about that one as well? Beautiful car, beautiful care lavished on it. Did I say WOW already?
wikkid

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by wikkid »

Oh, and what is that long, black line running at a diagonal fron the back all the way toward the front seat area in one of your detail pictures? Is that just a super-narrow view of your seat belt webbing?
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by Jimb »

wikkid wrote:That is a gorgeous labor of love! Bending square aluminum tubing; sewing leather "tube socks; sewing mesh screen all around two large panels; figuring out all the hardware bits (such as for making a hinged panel that stays up vertical under wind load, but that folds back flat when desired), and making it so not only does the vertical panel hinge back flat, but that you can raise your top as well.... WOW. Bravo!

If I understand correctly, the maple you used is for the hinge "bar" that goes across right behind the seats.

It also looks as if you made a nice lockable storage area out of the package shelf area. Did you post a thread about that one as well? Beautiful car, beautiful care lavished on it. Did I say WOW already?
Thanks for the comments!
I started with cardboard templates to determine the shape then transfered them to 1/2" plywood. I then wrapped 1/2" aluminum (round) tubing around the plywood. And finally upholstered the aluminum frames with the leather and mesh. To strengthen the plastic side panels that are below the side quarter windows (to support the brackets) i used 1/4" hardboard, cut out to the same shape as the panels...then soaked these in water over night to become pliable and then clamped one to each side panel to dry the same curved shape. Construction flooring adhesive glued them in place. The trick then was to fix the backing nut to this wood so that you can remove the screw for the top hook, (that now also supports the bracket), without having to remove the side panels.

Long-winded explanation huh?

Yes, the maple is the piece that runs across behind the seats. I could have just hinged the two screens to each other, but adding this trim piece this looks much more finished.

The diagonal line is the seat belt extended when the seats are pushed forward.

The storage compartments as with everything else on the car, are original for 1985. I've had them re-carpeted but with the identical carpet as original.

As I say, having developed the process by trial and error, if I had to do another it would be so much easier.
Cheers,
Jim
wikkid

Re: Yet another windscreen option - more pics

Post by wikkid »

Thanks - I guess with my '84 I missed the storage bins by a year!
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