Home › Forums › MGTD Kit Cars › My Project › TF Air Deflector
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June 7, 2011 at 5:12 pm #233500
The Carlisle thread mentioned a TF accessory that might be a fun build. It’s an air deflector that fits behind the seats and reduces buffeting with the top down. That’s not a problem for those of us who have little or no hair left. But the distaff side of the family might think otherwise.
Does anyone have pictures of one?
June 7, 2011 at 7:28 pm #245022No pics. I saw a custom one on ebay last year and it went for hundreds. Thought I grabbed a pic but can’t find it.
Easy build though. Get a piece of one-by hardwood (furniture grade) and a piece of c-channel stainless or aluminum. Some clear 1/4-inch plexi and some hinges. Wood on the bottom, then hinge to plexi so it can fold down when not in use. The C-channel holds it up when it is in use. A but of rubber weatherstrip in the channel where the plexi’s at (take up room and reduce rattles), and the channel has to fit around the wood. You make a little keyhole latch to hold it together and you’re done.
Plan on the clear plexi being about a foot high, size the wood to whatever depth you need to make that come up to your head’s height when you drive.
June 7, 2011 at 7:31 pm #245023I’ve never seen an air deflector for MG TCs, TDs or TFs.
If you hear someone talk of a deflector for an MG TF, it is probably for the late model MG TF introduced in 2009. Like this one:
Never thought about it before. But I could imagine fabricating one out of lexan or plexi-glass.
Attach a couple u-channels to the left and right outer edges of the seat back. The inner measurement of the u-channels should match the thickness of your deflector material. Fabricate your wind deflector, tall enough to slide down in the u-channels, leaving enough exposed to extend above the top of the seat back as far as you think you need it. (Think side window channels in your “factory built” and you can picture what I am thinking of here.)
That said…we are so exposed in these cars, and they are so NOT aerodynamic. I’m willing to bet an air deflector will have no effect on your long haired friends, distaff or otherwise! I have at times driven my TD with roof up, side curtains off, and there is still too much wind for the long haired folk.
Pony tails and kerchiefs are still the way to go!
Funny story time: When my long haired daughter was about five or six, we were out for a ride. She had her hair in a pony. For some reason, she decided she needed to adjust it. As a hearty “Noooooo….” trailed off my lips, she pulled the pony out and that beautiful hair immediately wrapped around her face and tangled itself together in a manner that took a VERY long time for me to untangle (with no comb or brush!!!). She never did that again!
PMOSSBERG40701.8355555556Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
June 7, 2011 at 7:32 pm #245024Oh man Ed. Great minds think alike. I was writing the same thing!
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
June 7, 2011 at 7:53 pm #245025One other idea, if you are installing a roll bar, fabricating a removable insert would be apiece of cake.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
June 7, 2011 at 9:24 pm #245026I forgot about the current TF. Still, it’s the thought that counts when you’re trying to talk her into riding in a convertible.
June 8, 2011 at 8:48 am #245027The guy who sold his TF (’54 TF; real TF) deflector swore it worked awesome. He’d sold the car and the new buyer didn’t want it. Seems to me it would work pretty well. The buffeting comes from the vacuum created in the space behind our big, flat windscreens. I find that it’s reduced some when I run Bridget with the small Brooklands screens up and the main screen flat….
But anyway. The deflector holds the wind above your head and moves the vacuum spot to the back of the deflector. Use it and, I’ll bet, light stuff left unsecured in the well behind your seat will want to fly out of the car. But your hair will be much less mussed. I plan on making one as soon as I can find the time.
June 29, 2011 at 10:01 am #245028I saw a convertible top wind deflector on a Fiat in the latest episode of Top Gear. The host’s long hair wasn’t blowing around.
Screen is 40-3/4″ wide at bottom, 14″ high.
July 4, 2011 at 5:02 pm #245029I made a prototype of the air deflector shown in “BDrivers” post above. I tried it at 14′” above the back of the seat, then at 12″ above the back seat and then removed it and found no difference. My wife didn’t notice any difference either.
July 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm #245030Screen or solid plexi?
July 4, 2011 at 7:09 pm #2450311/8″ Masonite (I believe that’s what they call it. I wasn’t going to waste a nice piece of Plexi. If it would of worked I would of bought some 1/4″ Smoked Plexi.
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