MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: The MINI Roadster’s Manual Top in Detail

I like that. No problem being manual in a two seater and if tucks away cleanly. My old TR Spitfire required you to dismantle the top to store it and that was a PITA. They later came out with a folding one, but I never had that version.

I hope they come up with a tonneau cover.

Jim

 

It looks like we're going to have to remove the (optional) 'wind protection insert' from between the rollbars before the hood can be pushed down to the locked position:



That pushing-down looks to be a very un-ergonomic action for us inflexible old farts, plus I'm not sure we won't have to use the left hand to push the unlock button and then switch to the right hand to lift the hood up.

Hopefully Mini will at least have designed the gas struts so that as "the roof extends back out of its anchorage points", it pops up high enough to be grabbed over the 'wind protection insert' so that only has to be removed and replaced when lowering the roof.

 

Dang, Jim, my first car was a '62 TR Spit. I bought if from Lt. Buck my division officer. When I took it down to Key West for 9 months of advanced electronics instead of raising and lowering the top all the time for those afternoon showers, I just drilled holes in the floor boards. No PITA from then on. I did have the tonneau but rarely used it. The rear axel being what it was, autocross was a real challenge on those 180 and 360 handbrake turns.

 

I used the tonneau a lot. I liked driving around with only the driver's side open. If it rained, just zip it up, wait till it stopped, wipe it off and motor on.

 

Wow that looks very nice closed! Just like a Z4. Can't wait to see one in person This looks to be definite alternative for my wifes 09 MCS.

 

Also very good for driving in cold weather as it cut the draught (sorry, draft) in the passenger seat space and also channelled all the output of the heater past the driver.

Given the Roadster's design, it should be possible to have a tonneau that can stay in place even with the hood up - though it would be hard to make it shed water like the old tonneaus did. My Midget tonneau when left done up both sides would keep the interior dry in heavy rain.

Hhmmm. Andrew's Tonneau Shop - a branch may be opening on an internet near you soon....

 

Yep, mine shed water too and that would be a must in my mind. The two roll bars would give added support to keep it from sagging and collecting water. I am sure they would be able to pop the side snaps if they deployed. Let me know when the shop opens.

Jim