Some time ago many of you may recall inquiries I made to this
'List' regarding the various storm covers I had observed on cars
at Duxford during HalMog last year. After 'torturing' Melvyn Rutter
at length, he agreed to have a go at making one for me which he
could also sell as an accessory. All this took some time because
he could not find the proper nylon to suit this application.
Since late March I have been using this cover whenever I park
because it can be fitted quickly, (30 seconds), works with or
without sidescreens and headrests, keeps the sun off the hides,
and seems to deter unwanted attention. So, it is not just useful
for protection from a shower.
The cover is tailored to the shape of the windscreen, goes over
the scuttle, attached by an adjustable elastic cord and hook to
the rear bonnet knob. In the middle there is a slit which is slipped
over the mirror and sealed with velcro with a snap at the end of
the seam. The cover extends over the rear deck as far as the third
brake light or spare, secured by another elastic cord and hook
which attaches to a hole in the rear wheels or spoke. It is designed
to avoid damaging paintwork and is thin enough to fold into a
small space for storage.
Everything is a compromise; on the negative side, my Plus 8
has 16" alloys and is therefore 5' 7" wide, so the rear of the
cover could stand to be a couple of inches wider so that the
nylon rather than the knotted elastic cord would rest on the
edge of the rear wings. Also, as there is no secure attachment
in the middle to a sidescreen knob like some of the covers
I have seen, it can flap in a stiff breeze and allow debris to
be blown into the car, but does not seem to damage the
paintwork. It is meant to be a universal cover for two-seaters,
so I imagine that this is the best fit possible.
At a recent Morgan 3/4 Group 'dust-off' in New Jersey, the
cover seemed to have a number of admirers. When I asked
Melvyn whether he had received any orders from the U.S.,
he said that he had not, but has also not gotten round to
gearing up production. Melvyn said that he hoped to have
plenty on hand for his big party in June, after which he will
also be advertising the covers for two and four-seaters.
The cost via air mail to the U.S. was around 85 BRP.
Perhaps some others on this 'List' will also find such a
unique cover useful. I only wish I could attend Melvyn's
party as he is quite a good host. Maybe, with luck,
MOG 2000 in Canterbury!
William G. Lamb, III
Land Rover Specialist
NAS 4.0 Litre Plus 8
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