Gents,
While not wishing to utterly contradict Art or disparage Mr. Simmonds'
craft in any way, I believe some of my own observations may be equally
valid.
On the Sunday of HalMog I took the trouble to carefully examine the
clever half vehicle which is brought to shows for demonstration of the
operation of the hood. The quality of workmanship is excellent and the
function of the top is straightforward, low-effort, and convenient. The
product would appear to be most useful on a daily driver, which is
exactly what many of the cars are in the U.K.
The problem I have with the system is that it does, and probably
cannot look authentically Morgan. I trust I am not being too reactionary
in saying that I particularly like the look of the "lift-a-dots" and other
fasteners. I considered the system for my Plus 8 4.0 Litre, (which
has since been built and is in Virginia while awaiting additional D.O.T.
conversion), and dismissed it for not having the proper "look".
For the week of HalMog I had hired a long-door 4/4 from Wykehams
which was fitted with an Everflex standard hood. Many of you will
recall that it was extraordinarily WET that week! This hood was
reasonably water-tight, fit well, and "looked right" on the car. From
a similar 1,200 miles I drove the summer before, I was familiar with
the correct use of the weather equipment. The Everflex hooding does
not look particularly elegant, but it costs less and seems to be popular
over there for that reason. I did take a bath towel from the hotel where
my son and I were staying for the Saturday of the "Duxford Run" and
was glad I did as the torrential downpour following did defeat the hood
at 65+ mph on the motorway. (Some cars were flooded and actually
received panel damage from hitting deep puddles at high speed that
unusual afternoon). Along with the new heated windscreen, the towel
was sufficient to keep me personally dry. ( I did manage to scatter three
motorcyclists and their passengers when I zoomed in under the bridge
where they were waiting out the storm so that I could erect the hood!).
My own weather equipment is Black Rivenhood made in "Trim" and
looks just great to my eye. I think it just possible that Art did not see
any high-spec. trim like this on his visit to the "Works" since the cars
in the "Dispatch Bay" are not fitted with their weather equipment, and
I believe that for about the last year MMC have not been allowed by
regulation to sell cars WITH their Plexiglass-windowed sidescreens.
MMC did agree to fit my car with gusseted door pockets in hide in view
of the fact that our cars cannot have conventional door pockets due to
the addition of internal side intrusion beams. These were beautifully
executed by "Trim". At my request, MMC also fit the car with a
little and very functional bin made in the "Tin Shop" between the knee
bolster for the air-bag and the walnut fascia. It is sizable enough to
hold a large CD wallet and a few other small items. (The passenger
air-bag panel is positioned where the "glove" would normally reside.)
One very useful item Simmonds lists in his product line is a three-zip
tonneau. Several of the cars at HalMog had some variation of this item
which allows better wind protection for driver and passenger when
running without sidescreens. In future I just may have to get one of
these, but am definitely hooked on the concept of running in cool
weather with the sidescreens as they frequently do in the U.K. It is
entirely possible with these installed to carry on a normal conversation
at 60 - 80 mph, and I will not be fitting "wind deflectors" to my
"modern" 16" alloy, wide-body Plus 8.
BTW, the latest hoods do not flap violently at higher speeds, and
the noise level is tolerable.
Obviously, this whole issue is very subjective.
Best Wishes for the Holidays!
William G. Lamb, III
Land Rover Specialist
NAS Plus 8 4.0 Litre #1 (R-11953)
MSCC #9096
At 11:56 AM 12/22/98 +0000, Norris Biomedical wrote:
>I have recently had a Simmonds hood and tonneau cover fitted, along
>with retrimmed sidescreens (curtains, if you are in the USA), and
>elasticated door pockets. It's an expensive job, but well worthwhile,
>especially if your old hood has had it . I had put my thumb through
>mine whilst trying to remove it, so I needed a new one anyway. Steve
>Simmonds did the whole job in a week, as well as fitting a pair if his
>supersports seats, which are also fabulous as long as your steering
>wheel is not more than 14 inches diameter. Steve is a very nice chap,
>as well as being good at his job, and will leap on any suggestion you
>may have, for useful modifications or accessories for Morgans. I can
>recommend him unreservedly. We can't order new Morgans with Simmonds
>hoods yet in the UK, as the windscreen clips do not meet current
>regulations and are regarded as "protrusions". I understand that this
>may change in the future.
>
>Regards, Roger Bennett, Hampshire, UK.
>1986 Plus 4, actually belonging to her indoors.
>P.S. Merry Chrismas & Happy New Year to all.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Art Hart <arthart@bell-labs.com>
>To: morgans@Autox.Team.Net <morgans@Autox.Team.Net>
>Date: 21 December 1998 12:47
>Subject: Re:Simmonds
>
>
>>Mike,
>>
>>I saw the Simmonds display at Halmog '98 and can say there products
>are
>>first rate and a huge cut above the standard Morgan products. So muc
>so
>>that I understand you can now order a new Morgan with Simmonds hood
>and
>>other trim.
>>
>>Art Hart
>>
>
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