Visibility is bad enough with the tops up without the limited view through an even smaller opening.

I also have hagerty at $250, valued at $12k with 0 deductible. Annie is kept at ‘my house’ during the summer and locked up during the winter.Made a claim for a crack in my windshield recently and Hagerty have been brilliant!!!

Oval on a MGTDr.  Sorry, but my opinion is: Yuk!  The heavy duty zippers necessary for out tops really don’t like going around bends unless they are very gentle.  I don’t think that the clear part would be without some serious wrinkles.  Why not look into a roll up top like was recently discussed here.  Happy Jack posted some pictures.  

I have been looking into a new top myself.One of the top builders suggested a oval rear window.I have never seen an oval rear window on a TD replica or any other car but it would look nice and it would zip out easily.

I’ve still got my insurance with State Farm along with my house and other cars. Set Agreed value from their appraiser 18,500. About $230 a year full coverage with 12,000 mile limit per year. I had to take to one of their approved appraisers and get a written appraisal when I first bought it.

They want you to insure for higher value because it allows them to charge a higher premium. I think the first couple companies I called (Hagerty may have been one of them) did not want to touch anything under $10k. I bought my car for $3500. I’ve got it insured for like $5k-$6k and the premium is about $110. 

Thanks Royal!I just looked into Michigan’s historic plates and “Used only for events such as historical club activities, parades and car show” Is a bit too restrictive for me. No fun runs with the wife!!Thanks also, when they told me they had one at $42K I was wondering if I was way off base thinking 8K with a high of 12k?!?! Reading previous…[Read more]

Jeff, I am currently insured with Hagerty @ 10k.  

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So, if you have been following my other post, I am making preparation for the purchase of my first Replica Car and I am currently looking into insurance. I would like to have it insured for the trip home.I read all of the preceding post and tried to get a Quote from Hagerty, but I found it difficult in answering the questions.#1 is a Duchess a…[Read more]

Sorry, Roy, but I’ve never driven in the rain with the windows fitted. In fact, I’ve only been caught in the rain twice, and only one of those times did it come down hard enough to even turn on the wipers (which do work, but seem to have only two speeds: slow, and slower). As for noise, mine is not an especially quiet ride at any time.

Jeff, I measure 48″ between the rear tires at the road surface.  So you should be good to go.   

I found that the tow dolly that I am looking to use has wells that will allow a minimum 43″. What is the inside distance between the wheel/tire of the rear of a Duchess or VW?I do plan on getting a tow bar because we do plan on taking it with us but being a new acquisition, I would feel more comfortable with only two wheels on the ground than all…[Read more]

Group 42 is 10Lx7-1/4Wx6-7/8HGroup 47 is 9-9/16Lx6-7/8Wx7-1/2HBe careful of the additional height if its going under your seat.

I just bought a battery for mine.  Went to Firestone to get an Interstate battery, it called for a Size 42 (73 chassis) but they didn’t have any, and it would take two weeks to order.   Ended up getting a Size 47 battery, which on occasion is substituted.   Haven’t tried sticking it under the seat yet, but it looks like it will fit.

Bill, just curious, when installed do your semi-normal windows they do a good job on keeping the rain out?   How about the noise?  

No, Paul, I’m not spoiled. After driving the Lafer around in Houston heat and humidity for a while, though, I do tend to smell that way. 😉

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I went thru the timing issue when I first got the car. I’m going to try Roy’s suggestion now that I know I have a good battery that is fully charged. Will let you know how it turns out.Sam

Roy I reread your post and ya know what? You’re quite the ponderer. 5 stars for pondering. 

A fellow Rhode Islander, Royal! Congrats on escaping. LOL What I wouldn’t give to find one of those hardtops in a garage somewhere. Of course, the person that assembled my car figured that heat was unnecessary and removed all the components. That would probably be a good first step to fall driving.

I have seen this hard starting problem be because of a timing problem. Recommend you check it just to get rid of that possibility.