Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Roof up or down

I'm about to go through my first winter with my 4 seater. It will be kept dry in my garage under a dust sheet and may used occasionally when weather permits. I've never had a soft top car before and can't decide if it is best with roof up or down when not used often.
Thanks.

From about this time of year onwards, I favour "Gangster Mode" (hood-up and sidescreens off). So I can drive and stay dry/warm-ish, then put the car away like that. Despite the garage, without an indoor cover who knows what will fall onto/into the car during storage. This juicy tiger moth caterpillar (according to my daughter who is into entomology) was on the hood one day, and yes they will chew mohair fibres to make a cocoon...

This is what I do:
Soft top closed, side screens not fitted, removable carpets not in the car, no car cover.

This ensures optimal ventilation and prevents mold.

Roof up when it's stored, even in the garage. Helps keep the shape. Storing down will leave creases in the fabric.

We drive everywhere with the roof down as much as possible, but store in the garage with the roof up and a cover over the top. Always make sure she is dry before putting the cover on though.

All spot on advice here Alun! If you do use it in the winter make sure the car is dry before using a cover as that's worse than leaving it outside. I use a commercial heater fan on cold and move the air around every other week or so. This has successfully kept my car nice and dry. I also have a lift and keep mine raised off the ground. This does two things, firstly it lets the car breathe easier as the air flow around it is improved and secondly it takes the weight of the suspension and tyres. I have always over inflated my tyres for winter storage even when no weight has been on them. This is more important if the car is sitting on them. Some roll the car forward and back occasionally to change the load spot too but in a normal garage this might not be possible. For years before I acquired the lift, from November to March I used to put it on axle stands.

Hood always up when in the garage but I don’t cover mine at all other than that as it’s pretty well protected by the garage itself. Obviously the environment changes inside the garage but without a cover I can monitor the condition of the bodywork more easily. Definitely worth keeping it ready to use over winter; I’ve had some great winter drives and never had an issue with salt.

Hood up. 45 W greenhouse heater in the car

I favour a 'minimal intervention', no mollycoddling approach........
drive it, put it away, drive it, put it away........
I see the benefit of putting the hood up if it's everflex, but I almost never put the hood up anyway....🤷🏻‍♂️

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It may be worth putting some rodent killer down in 3 or 4 places around the garage unless you have a cat. It can be expensive to have leather trim or hood materials replaced.

We always drive with the roof down, but as soon as its put in the garage the roof is put up and we put the roof cover on, and then the next day the full cover goes on.

Yes for me having it on the lift has stopped all that rodent damage as well. if I were to have paid for the damage I have had over the years it would more than covered the lift cost plus it has so many other benefits as well!

4 cats = zero rodents!

When I leave it on the drive temporarily I do sometimes come back to a mog in the Mog however!

Not sure if we are referring to 'storage' or 'driving' in the colder months here?

If it's storage, it's always roof up AND dust cover IN the garage. I've also considered one of those 'bubble' things to keep the moisture at bay. Maximum protection of the interior!

If its driving we're talking about then it is always 'lid off' as Mrs T refers to it - usually with side screens on the old 4/4, but the Roadster has side and rear wind deflectors so we're going to try no side screens... even in the middle of winter!

We have a tradition of a new year's day, lid off, drive to blow the cobwebs away, having made sure we are not over the legal limit!

The soft top is only for use in storms that have been given a name (drove the Roadster away from the Dealership in the middle of Storm Amy recently... I did think for a second to take the top down, but relented!).

REMEMBER: When it comes to top down motoring, there is no such thing as impossible weather, just inappropriate clothing! Get a sheepskin jacket and lots of microfibre cloths!