My new wind stop

[mdquern]

Re: My new wind stop

Thanks for pics! Looks great!
Do you have to drill holes to mount it?
Does it fold down after installed?

[wjsamx]

Re: My new wind stop

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback. Here are quick instructions: I did this alone, but it would be better to have another person help.

1. Remove the screw and brass bushing from both ends where it hinges
2. Rotate the top half 180 deg and place back into the hinge slots
3. Wedge together until tight (see pics 2 & 3)
4. Look through holes where you removed hardware from #1. You will see that they don't quite line up enough to re-insert the brass bushing.
5. Carefully scribe with a jewelers screwdriver.
6. Remove the top half and using a round file, file the hole (ON THE TOP HALF) where you see your scribe. It will be about 1mm. I suggest filing a little less, and taping the bushing in with a hammer for a tight fit, or the top half will wobble.
7. Lay behind the 2 front seats like the plexi windstop. Move the seats back against it to hold in place.

It should look like the pics when finished.

We drove 3 hours straight with the top down at highway speeds, and it works great for me. Wife was happy. Oh, and 3 hours back the following day.

Doing the above procedure to the windstop prevents it from folding up like it did originally. It will not fit in the trunk.

Disclaimer: everyones mechanical aptitude is different, and you are performing this mod at your own risk. Email me direct if you are unsure about anything.

[wjsamx]

Re: My new wind stop

Pic installed

I forgot to mention to remove the 4 screws on the "block" to remove the lever.

I might order another one, and see if a machine shop can make a new block for it to hinge, and make it an easier mod.

Best Regards and good luck !

[Icebluebird]

Re: My new wind stop

Thanks Werner, I can't wait for mine to arrive to try it out!

[cool57]

Re: My new wind stop

A while back some one posted that the VW Beetle screen worked well too.

[mdquern]

Re: My new wind stop

Do you loose legroom from the back of seat not going back as far?

[wjsamx]

Re: My new wind stop

No loss in legroom, I'm almost 6' tall.

[BlackShadow]

Re: My new wind stop

Thank you

[Bradford]

Re: My new wind stop

I started doing some research on these after seeing the photos of the one modified. A company called "Love The Drive" makes wind deflectors similar to this. They have many models available, I inquired with Dan Fawcett there to see if they had one under development for the Retro Thunderbird. I received a email from him today that they currently do not make one for the Thunderbird, but has a local Thunderbird owner willing to let him use their car for fitting to manufactor for the Reto Thunderbird. He anticipates having a product available in 2-4 weeks depending on how long it takes the manufactor to supply the parts. I'm not sure of the price, the ones they currently produce range from $225.00 to $375.00. They are designed for ease of installation and fold down when needed, include a storage bag. I have asked Dan to keep me informed as to the progress as I am anxious to have one. I had referred him to the Thunderbirdnest so he could see the interest and numbers of owners interested in custom accessories for their cars. It would be great if I could get one before Savannah, then others could see it first hand.

[Daktari]

Re: My new wind stop

Hi there,

Don't get me wrong here but I thought that part of the fun and pleasure of driving a convertible was to feel the wind in your hair.

This is the first convertible that we have owned and to be honest, I was expecting the wind effect to be a lot stronger than it actually is.

We drove around 300 miles recently starting in Georgia, through Tennessee, then North Carolina and a bit into Virginia. Most of this was on interstate tavelling at over 70 m.p.h. I had a cowboy hat on and Rachel had a light-weight kind of head scarf on. It felt great. I also found there was a lot less backdraught if the side windows were wound down.

Each to their own I guess.

Have a great weekend, Gordon.

[Bradford]

Re: My new wind stop

I've had my Thunderbird for 3 years and always have the top down, don't mind the wind, lots of highway road trips..but with me, I wear contacts and my problem is wind drying out my contacts on long trips. I just returned from a month long road trip, my last day of driving home was 7 1/2 hours, I simply can't put the top up if it's nice. A wind deflector for me is simply for long trips, other than that, give me the wind. Plus the car looks better without.

[Babsman]

Re: My new wind stop

I'm with you Bradford....If you don't like the wind, put the hard top on.

[Icebluebird]

Re: My new wind stop

Well, I like the idea of having the choice! Driving on the highway with the top down is a real drag. Whats left of my hair flops all over and leaves me more tired with all of the beating around. Also its hard to hear any conversation.

Anyway, I got mine and it looks great. I am going to look into modifying it so that it will fit over the area behind the seats, as it was designed to do and then it will fold down when not needed or stow in the trunk.

I'll let you know what happens.