Wind Deflector CHEAP in United States (finally)

[tedtaylor]

I've been researching the wind deflector idea for some time now, but since I live in United States proper, the availability of a factory product is slim to none. I did contact a company in the UK (Classic Additions), but with the currency exchange rate and exuberant shipping costs, I felt uncomfortable (and CHEAP) to be paying over $300 US dollars for one. I read a post somewhere on LEC about someone using a Mazda MX5 windscreen, but heard nothing more about its installation. I found a company in the US called "Raceland USA" who manufactures the screen for the MX5 and the price was only $50 bucks plus shipping. Cheap enough to buy it and try and adapt it to fit.
Well I got it in the mail today and it was a snap to adapt. I've attached a few pictures of the final product installed. Very clean and neat, if I might say so myself.
The MX5 screen has mounting bolts and bracket piece at the bottom ends as opposed to the CA version using the existing map pocket bolts. The spacing is perfect to mount to the convertible top irons. I removed one "allen" screw from the top iron hinge and used the new bolt (same thread size) that came supplied with the screen product (I cut it about one inch shorter) and used that bolt in the place of the allen screw. I also had to make a spacer around the bolt since the original allen screw had a shank head on it, so I imitated that arrangement to setup the new screen install.
Now you could go all out and use wing nuts for a faster install/removal process, but I'm leaving as is with the bolt head (which comes with a black plastic cap to hide it). In a pinch, if it rains and the top need quick erecting, everything folds up nicely and the screen can just remain inside the car above your headrest. (again I said if in a pinch as a temporary measure - no need to totally dismantle). I'll leave it installed all summer long during top-down weather and only remove it for winter for the top-up season. There is some wiggle room for adjustment and I left the bolts only snug (not real tight) just for that purpose. So in the end, there were no modifications or taking away from originality, only replacing a top iron hinge allen screw with the supplied hex head bolt (slightly modified by a shorter cut, and spacer shank added) was all I had to do.
So FINALLY, we USA M100 owners can now easily and cheaply add this upgrade or modification to our cars without having to "pay through the nose" and send your money across the pond.
If anyone has any questions or would like to see more detail, just ask and i'll see if i can accommodate, but in all honesty, its a very simple adaptation if you are the least bit handy.

[hatters]

Nice job

[steve matthews]

Thanks Ted, my wife has been after me to do something for her hair.
South Jersey as in Cape May? Very fine place taking the ferry too.
Will be in Lewis DE. for the british car show in May featuring Lotus cars.
Steve

[racerstev]

Hoping to attend that show as well! Planning on taking the ferry too..

Might need to pickup a Miata wind deflector too, what a great idea!

Steve

[HJ2]

Another top tip!

[lotos]

http://www.racelandus.com/windblockers/ ... ckers.html

Nice find and mod! I might try this come summertime! They have three shapes to choose from... Someone buy them all and take pics of them in the Elan so I can decide

[steve matthews]

I have the roll hoops so probably try the R style.
Will post picture.
Steve

[tweetdriver63]

When you are in a pinch, and have to raise the top, what happens exactly? Does the screen stay in the same position that it's in when down, or does it move up -- sort of over your head?

I have the same screen, mounted differently, and it just stays in place all year round. It doesn't interfere with operation of the roof.

[steve matthews]

Chris, long time hope all is well. Where did you mount yours
That would be a better option.
Steve

[tedtaylor]

exactly, sort of over my head above the head rest, still attached to the top irons. Like i said, in a pinch to avoid a rain event. Also, if you use wing nuts you can just un-do. Now I'm curious, what did you do to install yours so that its in the same position all year round? I purposely didn't want to drill holes or mount something non-factory (except for this screen, of course). Post a picture of your installation as another option.
thanks

[tweetdriver63]

I'll try to remember to post something when I get home. I'm overseas right now, so it'll be about a month.

[steve matthews]

Wow what a find and it really works in the hair dept.
Tucks right into the LGM roll hoops.
Thank You TedTaylor
Steve

[Elanlover]

That looks like it was made for the LGM hoops! Any chance you can post some pics from the inside of the car? I'd be curious to see exactly how it attaches, how much room it takes (my seat is already pushed way back), etc. Thanks!

[steve matthews]

The passenger seat in the red car is all the way back. Using the yellow car picture I used the first
bolt position above the bottom arrow. The bracket they give you fits this bolt hole. You need to
drill out the bracket to the bolt size.

download/file.php?id=18002&t=1

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Here is the fixing picture a little bit larger:

[Elanlover]

How does this work with the roof up? Does it have to be removed or does the roof close with the screen still in place? Thanks!

[Elanlover]

I'll try to remember to post something when I get home. I'm overseas right now, so it'll be about a month.

Chris, still interested in how you mounted your wind deflector such that it says in place and doesn't interfere with the roof operation

[steve matthews]

I ended up making a bracket out of Alum. It attaches to that piece of plastic 3/4" wide
that separates the bulkhead carpet strips. Top does not interfere going up or down.

Steve

[Elanlover]

I ended up making a bracket out of Alum. It attaches to that piece of plastic 3/4" wide
that separates the bulkhead carpet strips. Top does not interfere going up or down.

Steve

Awesome, yet somewhat meaningless without piccies

[steve matthews]

Sorry it took so long but this is what I did. Hood up and down not an issue.




The brackets are alum. cost $6.00 for a 24" pcs. sprayed black.