Wind Deflectors...

Which type do you folks prefer...? The solid plexi numbers on a frame or the fabric type just behind the seats...?
Thanks,
Rob

I had a ride in an MG with the plexiglass shield made by one of our members here, (I think it Tom Rhynne (sp?)). I was amazed at the difference it made, haven't been seen a fabric one on an MG.

I would be interested in hearing about fabric options. I think that is what some of the recent convertibles are using.

Steve - I love your status picture! Makes me feel like I have made some progress.

I've got the plexi one. It's very good and definitely cuts down wind buffetting, allowing you to have an actual conversation while driving. It's very well made. It comes with two sturdy black metal brackets you slide into the tonneau frame holes just behind the doors. The plastic panel (plexiglass or lexan or lucite or something) slides into a vertical slot on each bracket to hold it snugly.

It's an easy install and removal and looks good, too. I bought mine from Moss, I think, although I think you might be able to get it cheaper online. Google "MGB wind blocker" or some such name for the website. The website might be available here under suppliers, too.

My one complaint, and it's not a small one, is that the wind deflector cannot be left up while the top is up. You have to install it each time you put the top down. That means not just doing the 5-minute easy installation (and removal later, perhaps), but also having to store the windblocker and its two metal brackets while the top is up. My wife made a nice, soft storage bag for it and I generally leave it in the back of the car--but it's in the way there and that's not a great solution. I'm sure it would fit in the trunk, but again it would take up valuable space in there and be a little in the way.

For people who never put their top up (I do), this would not be a problem. Like I said, it's a quality product and worth the money. I think Moss is currently offering some kind of fabric mesh windblocker which CAN remain installed with the top up. Not sure how sturdy it is, etc., etc., but it would be nice not to have to do the installation and removal thing so often.

I've also seen mesh windblockers that simply attach to the back of the headrests, but these aren't as good. I think a windblocker needs to be back aways from the seats to work best--and high enough to stop the backflow of air. If it just blocks air between the headrests, it won't work nearly as well. Both the one I have and the new fabric one from Moss seem to be this better type.

I bought the Moss one and don't/can't use it. I am 6'3" tall and on the 73 the headrest gets in the way so I tried it on the 66 and it does not provide any benifit as my head is over the top of the windscreen. I have not tried it on the GT :)

bob g

I'm glad its making someone feel better. That picture is supposed to motivate me to keep moving on this project, I've got a buch of small things done over the last month, but the engine is still in so it doesn't look much different. :(

I too have the Moss one and I wish I had a proper storage bag for it. I just wrap it up in an old soft blanket and put a bungee cord on it.

I share the complaints about having to undo it each time.

Anyone have a link to a suitable storage bag made specifically for these things?

Thanks.

Peter

Drew,
That is a good review of the Moss unit.... Is the removal a long process or just a couple of bolts...?

Our B selddom sees the top going up unless caught in the rain....

The mesh ones I have seen were only on a bud's Miata and that too was only across the seat backs...

We carried a HUGE screen tent house to my Brother's home last night and the duffel sat on the rear deck and rested against the backs of the deats in the B... I cannot carry that all the time... :eyeroll:

Got me to thinking of a wind deflector...

So too tall Bob G.,
Wanna sel your's...?


Thanks all for the input...
Rob

Robert G, if your head sticks up above the windscreen, no windblocker I've ever seen is going to make any difference. You need a higher windshield -- or a face mask! The MGB-GT has a nice "built-in" wind blocker called the roof.

Steve, do you know you're missing a fender. Couldn't resist. :) Don't even think about "how long it's taking". It's supposed to be fun and when it's finished, that part of the fun is over and you'll sort of miss it.

Peter: Talk to a tailor. Bring them some nice flannel type fabric, the dimensions, and have them sew one up for you. Shouldn't cost much. They just run it through the sewing machine. Piece of cake.

Robert D: For me, removal is just yanking the metal brackets out,then pulling the plexi panel out of the slot. A couple of minutes max. It came with thumb screw-type pins for securing the vertical rod on the metal brackets to the car. I don't use them b/c it fits pretty snug as is. The brackets are basically "L" shaped with a double flange on the vertical part for the plexi panel) and a little short flange on the bottom for the bracket to mount to the car).

Oh, heck, here's a picture:
http://www.topdown.net/mgb_windblocker/everything_mgb.htm

http://www.topdown.net/mgb_windblocker/everything_mgb.htm

Mine seems a little more neatly made than this pic shows. This may have been an early pre-production model.
http://www.topdown.net/images/mgb/mg5.JPG

Anyway, this shows about where you'd want your windblocker to be for maximum benefit.

The idea of a windblocker is not to block the forward wind--the windshield does that just fine--but to block the circulating or returning wind. As the wind shoots upward over the windshield, it tends to "eddy" in a swirling motion and come back against your neck and head. Ever see a woman (or guy, I guess) with long hair in a convertible? That messy hair phenomenon is caused by the swirling air in the cockpit. That makes conversation and eating ice cream really, really hard. And messes up your hair, of course.

That's why having it attached low to the headrests is kind of pointless. I mean, come on, there are headrests there already, right? You need it higher and behind the headrests at windshield height or just a bit higher.

Though I'm sure the maker experimented a lot before he made this one--and it works great--I do think if it had been a few inches lower and mounted a few inches forward it might have worked almost as well and still fit under the roof. Maybe not, though. The convertible roof really arcs pretty tightly and might hit almost any windblocker though the mesh fabric one I've seen lately seems to fit under the roof. Don't know if it works as well, though.

Hi.
I make the Moss Windblockers for all the LBC's but not the mesh one.I also offer them on Tim's site here:
http://www.morspeedperformance.com/
My prices are less than Moss' and include shipping.
Many satisfied users here on the board.
Storage bags are available from Jeff Zorn at Little British or use Moss' top stowage bag for the stowable top. Jeff's bags have pockets for the end brackets.
I have been messing a bit with a mesh design which would break in half for easy stowage. Too dammed busy working to get this done properly!

I saw a mesh one once, I think it was from the MGOC.

I had a mesh one for my 72B. It mounted on my roll bar. It worked OK but to me part of the joy of riding in a convertable is being out in the open. Not having the wind blowing in my hair(or what's left of it) would detract from the whole expierence. Kinda like riding a motor cycle with a windshield or swimming with long pants and sleeves on. Guess I'm just crazy

Well, you are crazy but that isn't the point... :eyeroll:

Everyone of my road motorcycles has a shield of some sort, full fairing to quarter fairing and small screens... I also ride very early in the New England season and very late... No Snow to Snow.... I may just increase that, we bought a sidecar this year...

In fact, we use heated clothing to prolong the riding... NOW who's Crazy...? ? B)

With the B I simply want to make the, again early and late driving as pleasant as possible for Sue Ellen... I know some of you drive around in the Fall of the year, top down with the heater on... ;)

Can't help you with the swimming thing... :)

Rob

I'm with Gerry. The more wind the better! You can somewhat control the "swirl" by adjusting your seat forward / back and reclining the back until the effect lessens, if the swirl bothers you. My wife has long hair so she either puts it in a pony tail or wears her "cute driving hat" she bought for driving in the cars.

Now if you really want to get rid of the"swirl", get in a T-Series car and fold the windscreen down! :D