Wind stoppers nearly ready for sale - Pics included

[Sy V]

Bugger!

I knew I had something to do...

[westonben]

As Andrews official tester I have a little review of the experience of the windstopper from the last 3 weeks - sorry but holiday and then new job have restricted internet access to do this sooner!

The first point to mention is that the windstopper is so small and unobtrusive that it appeal to me (the other types always look too bulky). But does it work? Yes, even at the slowest speeds dropping and lowering the stopper (it takes 2 secs!!) you can immediately feel the significant difference.

It looks delicate, but I've tested it over a sustained distance at 90mph and it can easily withstand it.

In other words, I think that this is a great chance to get a wind stopper which is easily installed (20-30mins) and removed, it works, is durable and doesn't spoil the looks. If you've got a "significant other" like mine, then she'll feel better about getting in the car with the hood down when shes just done her hair!!!!

Get one while you can.........

[Andrew_Ennis]

I spend sunday in the garden with JohnW building wind stoppers. Decided to change the design a bit to make it easier to install, and the enable the unit to be shipped fully assembled.

Planning to work on them all this week so you will have them for next week and calander weekend.

[Andrew_Ennis]

The first 7 are finished, will send out this week. I will email those who are still to send money.

Thanks to Ben and John for there input to make these.

Andrew

[westonben]

Andrew and John,

I'll expect you both to travel to mine with the top down and windstopper up on Saturday night - hope you can still make it. 5pm start.

Ben

[Scott J]

See you at Callander, Andrew, I'll have the readies.

[John_W]

The first 7 are finished, will send out this week. I will email those who are still to send money.
Thanks to Ben and John for there input to make these.
Andrew

To earn the thanks, I thought I'd better post some pictures and some comments.
Pictures of the windbreak installed in my car are below.

Comments:
- Andrew's design is simple, elegant, and easy to use. It drastically reduces the air blown back into the car, eliminating buffeting and making the radio and heater more effective.
- It does not totally remove the "wind-in-the-hair" effect which is why we all bought the car in the first place (those of us who still have hair), but does make driving more pleasurable. I dare say the full-width mesh windbreaks would do a better job of eliminating more air, but Andrew's is smaller, cheaper and simpler to use.
- The mesh fabric is more effective than the solid windstops, and Andrew's design superbly easy to use. It's on a sprung roller and you just pull the device up and down like a roller blind. This means that I do use it on almost every journey, as it's a doddle. (I have a modified Mazda MX5 windstop which is solid and resides in the boot - I seldom use it because it's a hassle to fit and use and fold down when you lift and stow the hood etc.)
- It does not restrict rear vision. It is see-through mesh (as you can see from the photos), and by trying different heights I found the best height is to align it so that I can just see the top of it coming up into view in the rear view mirror.
- Andrew has spent time to simplify the design and make it really easy to fit. You'll need to cut a couple of notches in the top of the plastic covers to the speaker enclosures behind the seats, screw two clips to the bulkhead, and clip the "roller blind" under the bulkhead capping plastic trim. (Getting the clips on the spring-loaded roller casing to fit into the bulkhead cover was the most fiddly job - use a paint scraper as a shoe-horn.)

It's a good design and it's going to make a big difference to my driving pleasure. Andrew's only problem will be that everybody will want one and he'll end up spending all his spare time making them.

John

[Scott J]

Andrew fitted my windstopper at the Callander show, a 10 minute job. Secured using 2 self tapers.

Makes a huge difference, drove home at speeds upto 90, no backdraft, heater down from the usual 4 to 2 and I could hear the music (Neil Youngs greatest hits).

The only draft now is on the top of your head, a skull cap with LEC cat logo emroidered may be the answer

Alan ab2cv also had his fitted and agrees with my opinions.

A bargain buy, so get ordering guys.

[Doug]

Dave M might need one for his Westcoast trip this Fall! How much shipped to the USA ??

[John_W]

Doug,
rather than incur shipping costs, I'm sure a man like Dave M or anybody who is good at bending metal and a little bit of fabrication would be able to make his own.

Andrew has spent quite a bit of time trying different designs, finding the right tubulars to fit into each other, bending them with the proper machine, epoxying them together, etc, which is why it's so easy to buy off-the-shelf. However my memories of living in the USA are that it is a DIYer's paradise with raw materials, tools and equipment freely available, so get fabricating.

John

[Doug]

sometimes we just like to kick our feet up and watch football (American) and drink beer!

so how much are they? Not sure I deserve one or would use it enough (there's no wind when the car is motionless in the garage ), but
I am kinda asking for the community info . . .

[Andrew_Ennis]

Doug i would hope that i can arrange payment through my bank. I will ask, i assume they will charge for the transaction so it would probably best if you collected the orders and we done the cash transfer in one go. I will make enquires. Also i am trying to find a better material supplier for the aluminium (sorry Aluminum - for USA). The cost will be £70 which is about $125. No idea about the P&P, i guess i can easily mark the package as zero value for custom and insert a cover note saying i made these for you and not for sale etc.

Hold off taking orders till i get some more materials though.

The rest of the first orders are being packaged this week, you have no idea how difficult cardboard boxes are to find these days, everyone throws them away or will not let you have them.

I will sent emails for those still to send monies.

[Sy V]

Andrew

I have received mine, thanks. I have the hardtop fitted at the moment though so I will report back as to the ease of fitting, at a later date.

[Gary]

I have the hardtop fitted at the moment though

Sy - it is August !!

[Doug]

I'm sure it could be fitted with the hard top in place . . .

[a5gcd]

Andrew
What is the position regarding availability of your wind stopper at the present???

[Elan1]

I'm interested in one if you have any spare.

Cheers,

Sarah

[Stef]

Aaaah yes! Now I remember seeing this at Callander!

I am still interested.

Would you be around for Donington and assist with fitment?

Cheers

[Scott J]

Stef, I'm surprised you remember anything from Callander

[kmckmc]

Hi,

Is this wind stopper ready? I would like to try one.

Regards,