Mondial T : Toneau Project

Over the years I have found I needed a quick, efficient cover that would allow the engine to cool, while keeping the leather away from UV rays, dust/leaves, and persons wanting a quick souvenir. Covers that I use are just not fun.

The top I hope would look good, and resist dampness too. I wanted a top that would allow easy access to relocate the car by driving it a small distance [say a car show or picnic area] without removing the entire top.

Custom was the only way to go. I have purchase another top, but it didn’t provide all I needed. At the last Columbus day event, where a bunch of us displayed some of our Italian goodies, a TR was parked next to me with what looked like brand new leather. When I asked her [ya’ HER] what/how about the leather, I immediately knew I was going to do it: The T was due for some rework as I’m using it every day if not the 456….my jeans are coloring the seats blue if not scraped bare

Anyway. HER gave me the name, address of her leather crafts-person: She does planes, many cars and been in business for over 20 years. When she quoted me the price of front and back seats, with touchups to all rips nicks, and re-dye to some worn areas with guarantees, I was floored: BARGAIN.

I asked her if she would also help me design and make a toneau which we are now starting first: don’t want to do the leather before it can be protected.

I also am doing a couple carry bags [luggage is too big/set/fixed], picnic set, some seatcovers for everyday driving [BUT, the latest brain storm I got was to re-cover some T front seats I picked up, put them it for daily use, then keep the original T seats away for show or <yikes> sale], and a couple cup holders that can be moved from the T to the 456: I had my own design using the seatbelt in passenger seat, but, well too much trouble = sucks.

The top project started Vets day, as I had that day off. She stopped by, and she and her son [old enough now to get into the business…good for her] started the pattern.

There will be several fittings. Several things I wanted were: 1. NO LEATHER, just matching, high-quality, vinyl-like material. She showed me samples and a dead ringer for the leather color and texture!!!! 2. COVER everything. Windshield wipers too. That will deteriorate just as fast in the sun.
3. Bury the front, under the lid against wind. She will be custom creating [she says you’ll be surprised on how good it will be] two screws with snap tops that keeps the front a bit taut. The screws will replace the existing screws already there so I won’t be disrupting anything and can always go back to stock: Plus/mandatory. The T's front lid has a channel that will hold all tight, and close entirely over the front. 4. A means of access from the side to allow me to drive the car: we are doing a zippered side entry, where the driver’s area will be open, to include the windshield area. 5. The sides will be using existing snaps on the top. 6. There will be a small weighted area just behind the rear window, to keep that more down.


There were many ideas kicked around. Like, elastic or more straps, or original snaps but were shot down as elastic deteriorates, snaps were too many and intrusive or would mean I would have to remove the leather cover to use the straps: our solutions will be more simple and functional.

Lastly, the edges will look exactly like the original sewed leather cover.

She wants to put a Cavallino on the center top, but … not sure, very nice….will see.

ANYWAY: The project begins….will be posting updates, and hope to have it done give/take month.

PS: Not to worry on the side shots, fittings will take care of all.

Rik
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She needed to add some sides to get a better idea. My cr@ppy cell phone camera is no justice, but she took shots too, which will come later.

We are sticking with the original idea of entirely wrapping the windshield and all leather with 2" overlap. The material is close enough...color not quite there but, close enough when covered. Side by side, well, one can complain, but this is a daily driver and needs quick protection. Tired of the car cover that is heavy and trouble. Looking for her to make a more decent light weight for little money.

Will show more, AND BETTER, next week or so, but with turkey day, I suspect it will be more like two weeks. That cord in pic is for weight and seams. It is like fly fishing line, lead in the center. Sew into the seam and it will add weight to keep sides down.

PS: HER cat are dopplegangers of mine...even squeek the same....good omen.
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PS: Does ANY Mondial Cabriolet owner know what the two snaps, either side, on the existing top are for?

Have no idea....
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very interesting: Mine no have.

Also, I don't find it a problem when driving as regards to flapping. BUT, it would sort of be nice underneath to keep the side more in line covering the black top.

I keep it regularly cleaned so the shrinkage is minimal [knock on wood]. Seems I was told the prev. owner replaced that cover, so he might have gotten the wrong year for my model.

Also, got this dash cover on ebay a few years ago at only $35 + shipping IIRC. Bargain in that for minor parking, I protect the dash....bit 'wringled' here, but just threw it on...actually has a nice fit, though, that kinda' cheap fuzzy top...sort of the fuzzy velcro stuff, that was popular in the day.

r
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OK. The T is having what appears to be a lingering steering assist problem. The fluid in the res. is full, but 'sounds like' the steering isn't getting fluid...grinding etc. THEN to top it off there is now a high pitched sound at high speed, driver's front could be a blockage in the line, don't know yet, I have little time/place to fuss about in there.

Talked to Brian / both of them, and they agree might be a driving issue. So, it sits.

Just talked to da' leather gal min. ago to see what we can do...she just finished an Airplane and now doing a full interior on a '57 Impalla for someone, which she believes will be done by Sunday...then me to make a decision. Tow it or wait or ? I'm getting anxious for something I can't even use for next few months. Mechanicals more important.

OK My project: not ready

will keep posted for those interested.

rik

 

Using an under strap or some similar design was a consideration. I intended this to be a stationary conception, so, didn't know how to improve the driving upgrade for the project without some delay. Worth exploring, and I know she could modify on the fly or future.

The rear attachments seem to be sound. We will see and modify if looking like any problem. She intends to have a custom ABS or such thin plastic shield that will keep the tip, looking not only sound, but add less stress, hopefully/somewhat, to that simple area. But not sure of that design. The gap for the insertion of plastic seems a bit slim to me and would offer too much stress on point you mention. Yet, again, this was a stationary item, not for driving stress. The idea, originally, and not mine but defaulting to her experience, was she was making sort of a 'collar-stay' line one has in your shirts collar tips, but with a slit/hole there to be held in place: we'll see.

PS: Art, 2000Yellow360 turned me on to a great site with custom, pre-made Ferrari Leather skins: http://www.gahh.com/mondial-cabriolet-1990-seatcoverkits-27_38_3406_138_1028.html

you would then need to have an installer put them in with re-done, expecting, foam etc. all this for about $2,5k in skins and then extra for install. Not bad, IF this were my only choice, but she is doing all, with install and foam, and touching up the dings on wells, and sides for under $4k

See, I am NOT doing a full interior...as a Daily driver, it's just getting worn. Like said before, I have extra set of front seats, she'll do for daily driving and I'll keep original fronts for show, final sale [if] and next owner. That's my style.

SO, need to have a nice looking car for daily and NICE looking car for ... down the road.

 

Art 2000Yellow360 turned me on to GAHH, and that was where I was going. Yet, a gal here, who had a 512 redone by this gal. showed me that I could have a one-stop one-source done deal for about the same price. Thought that the better way to go, as she is now doing other items I wanted like a set of ruck sacks, toneau-like top, and couple other things---thinking seat covers or such.

I do have that factory cover which isn't as far as I can see made for driving or such. It is black, heavy and a bit strange...

According to Brad of FofSF it was used only for transport and had no other real use...perhaps a storage to protect the top etc.

I've kept mine as a means to show all items associated with the car, new, like the brochures, key fob, and such....but, otherwise left as is.

your conversion seems to be a good use of one....

 

Thanks for that post: however, it displays the exact reason I don't want it for out in the sun. It would make for some bleached spots on the dash and rear leather.

That cover IS for transportation and not meant for much else. It might be good for storing to protect from dust on very top, but servers no other reason. Mine will cover all the leather, sides, front windshield and leave the engine open to cool down..

Soon as out of shop due to steering problem and new painted strakes, I'll post.

 

Ok, paid for the project way back in Nov. '08...Mondi goes in to shop, Dec '08, for an 'item' ... new steering pump assembly....get ready to pick it up....no juice....NEW updated alternator....hard to find BTW..not to mention when box arrived it was missing a 'piece' .... wait, FINALLY...ya' got it back and been driving it for a couple three weeks.

Leather gal had a couple airplanes to redo and now her schedule if FREE. They have a special project, hope to post when they are done, of a full body restoration interior, exterior and new engine for a kid in Iraq, where his mother [he has no clue] paying big bucks to pimp his ride. Gal is donating the interior fully in leather, other locals doing at cost the other stuff.

anyway, took car in this morning and they are working on it to finish for me on pickup this next Monday. Will post pics. Have made a few changes as want side mirrors now fully covered.

Asked him to design a wind screen for between the two seats, low profile with magnets at bottom to hold on middle console. Couple ruck sacks for the rear seats too.

Will update and finish[?] this thread ... FINALLY after what, a 1/2 wait.

rik

 

Well, I've threatened to complete this project, and have been put off by so many things in-between the start and now, that FINALLY, I will produce the current version of the Tonneau top.

Remember that the goal is a quick on/off and easy access, while allowing the engine to breath after a run for cool down. It must be durable in the sun, protect all those 'hot' spots and keep the leaves and dust out of the usual suspects .. so to speak.

No leather shall be harmed in this process

ok, it didn't 'quite' turn out like I thought, but it was a first for both of us, and even though it should/could be honed more....I'm done.

I need this for the Summer, etc. and it will perform for the cost, time, and effort invested.

Stay tuned for the next project, which I'll post under a different thread as a Mondial T wind screen....seems some morning/evenings are too cold and the wifie starts to bundle up, roll up the windows and blast the heater on which STILL doesn't do the trick...actually I've had a problem or two in that category as well. So, a windscreen between the seat opening is all that is needed.

On to the 'final' product.

Before, After.

Note the plastic under the rear-most flap that fit over the retracted top: that isn't necessary as the wind or whatever will not lift that area, but was included for 'dress'.

Plastic is included with cutouts for the rear-most wing tips [lack of a better term], that slide under the leather. Those are good....should lay a bit more flat, but, sun will soften it and probably will take place over time.

BTW: material is like the old Caddy tops....good for external use.
Underside is soft, white felt like material.

I included a zipper for easy access when I need something in there
or
when I need to quickly move the vehicle without removing all the top...whatever, it's there and I have already found it was worth it.

I wanted to enclose all black, top parts and the rubber parts from the sun. Not only for a more dressed look but to protect wipers from the elements: Big plus IMO.

The front doesn't need to be entirely closed, you could just let it rest on top without closure. Depends on trust, needs, and ease. Thus, the 'V' cutout for the latch mechanism. The Mondial T's front boot release works when the key is off via pull cord [duh] or the solenoid switch [why the trunk doesn't is beyond me as that makes more sense than the front, but Italian logic isn't always there to make sense].


The front seam wasn't necessary and if I did it again, I'd NOT have that done.

For your review.

 

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