Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Replacement Hood - Advice Please

As some of you may have seen from another of my posts, the hood on my 1986 4/4 four seater is 'beyond economical repair' and has today split across the front seam in sympathy for the two splits at the back and two more down the sides.

Can anyone give recommendations from personal use of the types and suppliers (and costs) available :-
- mohair compared with vinyl/everflex (what exactly is the difference ?)
- ease of fitting and use
- longevity and maintenance

Thanks chaps

Matthew

Mohair is the most expensive and vinyal is the cheapest..

Someone memntioned getting thier hood by a guy in Malvern who worked for the factory it might of been on her or mogtalk..

There is also a guy who works out of lifes motors I believe who does hoods too.. A car I looked at had one by him, they got hood, tonneau, boat bag etc.. for £500 from him a few years back which is alot cheaper than the factory..

If you post pics it would be interesting to see.


Will

Matthew, Simmonds would be a good starting place to check prices.

From this link, the price for a mohair is £3,500 + VAT (there is also a video on this link).

I imagine a vinyl hood will be cheaper (at a guess circa £2k+).

It may also be worth considering a call to MMC to enquire what their cost is for a replacment hood.

I used to have a Simmonds hood on the 4/4. Very good quality and easy to use.

The trimmer at Allon White also has a very good reputations. See

http://www.allonwhite.co.uk/car-trim.asp

The car I bought has a Simmonds hood. It is very good but not sure if I would have paid £2500 for it.

I found these guys via google. As they show a tr2 on the site they might help
http://www.autoretrim.freeserve.co.uk/hoods.htm

THe Simmonds prices are eye-watering don't you think?

Not cheap at all; nevertheless, I think a lot of it depends on how long you intend to keep your car.

I am yet to hear someone complain about the quality of the product Simmonds sells, so imho this counts for something.

I tend to work on the maxim that quality remains long after the price is forgotten (was it Bentley that said this?) and generally find myself frustrated when I buy a cheap product and it fails early or is of poor quality.

If I can find good quality at a reasonable price, all the better; however, if the choice is between pricey and good or cheap and poor quality, I'd rather save and wait.

Just my 2-cents but as the hood is such an important piece of the car, something to consider perhaps?

I don't know where Simmonds get their prices from. An earlier thread identified the ridiculously inflated prices charged for clear indicator lenses. Triumph TR and MG owners can get mohair hoods for a fraction of the price of a Morgan Hood. Morgan accessory pricing seems to have nothing to do with the intrinsic cost of the materials supplied and more to do with what the market will stand. See if John Skinner (http://john-skinner.co.uk/) who are highly thought of by Triumph owners can make a new hood using the old one as a pattern.

You all have echod my thoughts. Whilst Simmonds hoods may be good quality, I can't justify £3500 + VAT on one, and that really does seem extorionate. I'd rather get wet.

I've looked at Allon White's prices and they are lower, but we are still talking £1500 +

I've yet to contact the factory but will do so, and try the names you've given me. I'll let you know what I decide to do.

thanks

Matthew

While I am not attempting to justify the prices, and I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong. I think you have to be careful that you are comparing like for like. If my understanding is correct a Symmonds hood is a replacement of more than just the hood fabric. If you have an old style hood you are buying the whole quick release mechanism/system and a new windscreen. If its just the fabric you want there must be plenty of auto-upholsterers (some have been suggested) who could make one from the existing pattern.


Andy