First, I am a brand-new caretaker for a '71 Series 2 OTS Sable/tan/tan. Very exciting: an incredible car. I also have a '53 MGTD, and use its' tonneau always. Is there anything like that for a Jaguar? I'm Not a Concours perfectionist.
Bob
Weston, CT

Submitted by NE08-47998 on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 23:04

Aye, and thanks to all. Looks to this newbie that the best thing is the "traveling cover" that obviates adding snaps & fasteners to the cowl. I also "need" a "canvas" (non-vinyl) hood cover that matches my non-correct, but lovely, canvas hood.

Submitted by cburk@kiva.net on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 00:01

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there may be more than one after-market tonneau design for S2 cars. Like Pat, the few I've seen have snaps and/or lift-a-dot fasteners on the dash, on the doors and across the back of the chrome strip. I have yet to see one using the existing clips or hardtop locations. They may be out there - I just haven't seen them/it.

Like Pat again, as much as I like the tonneau concept, I'd never mod the dash or drill holes in the car for lift-a-dots to make a tonneau fit on one of my cars. Your mileage may vary.

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 07:25

Please refer to the picture at this site (cut and paste):
http://www.classicsportscars.eu/tr3/PICTURES/white-triumph-TR3-tonneau-c...

This is a TR3 with a tonneau that covers the entire interior, driven or not. Note that it overlaps the entire tub and is tight across. Again, I have never seen an E-Type with a tonneau as they came from the factory with either a folding top or a removeable hard top.
The various male studs you cite in the rear and on the sides (in back) are not designed for use with a tonneau as water would simply funnel in at those points. Those studs have specific functions related to the folding top.

No, a true tonneau is used to waterproof that which it covers (as well as allow the car to be drive), much like tonneaus on pick-up truck beds, and, they all nust use a snap or fastener all the way around a car. Using interior snaps would be pointless.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 23:38

Hello Patrick, no, there are no fasteners on the doors, the idea of the tonneau was to permit the car to be driven open IN THE RAIN, it was never intended to be "waterproof" almost like riding a motorcycle. Remember it was used primarily on cars that had no convertible top at all, like some early Bentleys and other Open Top Sports cars. Bill

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 21:44

I have only seen one XKE with a tonneau cover. There were 3 or 4 "male" push snaps fastened via screws to the chrome OUTSIDE door finisher on each side. I assumed this is what it took to keep the cover tight between doors. Hence, my comment on drilling holes.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 21:26

I'm even more confused, drilling holes? All of the fittings are already on the car NOTHING needs to be drilled. The four rear chrome clips clips are fitted to the top and the pop on connectors are on the dash and the chrome supports where the hard top would Fit?

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 11:55

I have always liked the look of a tonneau, but after seeing the sheer number of snaps that have to be drilled and attached all the way around the car, I wouldn't even begin to suggest it for an E-Type. The next owner may not be as interested in having a tonneau, and will have a very large body-work bill in filling and painting those holes you've drilled.

Of course, it's your car to do with what you want, but I think you'll be de-valuing the car for what little use you'll get from having a tonneau.
My 2 cents.

Submitted by NE08-47998 on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 11:20

Hi, Mr. Brady,
And thanks for responding, apologies for "vanishing", but I haven't checked my query for awhile. Thanks to all of the Jaguar friends, and I'm most impressed by the helpfulness and interest of the group. I hope to attend my first local Jaguar club meeting Tue., and will not be surprised to find the same zeal. Without the usual 'lift-a-dot" snaps, akin to my MG, how is the tonneau secured to the car?
Or, can you direct me to a supplier's site? Again, thanks to all.
Bob

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sun, 01/03/2010 - 20:24

Then I have lost track of the question, Dewey has is a mini car cover for only above the waist line, These were never issues by Jaguar although they had brief popularity in the 80's. What the (vanished) Mr Mitchell asked about was a Tonneau cover and Dewey said he had never seen one?? The answer is YES.

Submitted by cburk@kiva.net on Sun, 01/03/2010 - 17:22

What Dewey has is a cover for the entire top (hood) while it is up. It's great for covering the top and the glass/plastic windows, w/o having to lower the top. To my understanding, a tonneau cover is intended to span the interior of the roadster while the top is down. Many have zippers down the middle enabling the driver to drive while the passenger seat remains covered. Those of us w/o either a tonneau or the top cover, usually use a hood cover when the top is down such as what came with the car when new.

I hope this helps our terminology.