Any wind deflector options out there?

[alexmak]

I know a lot of people use soft top as a way to minimize a wind hitting from the back, but since it’s a roadster I’d rather keep the car open as much as I can. Anyone using/making/selling wind deflectors/screens in their roadster? Google search on this forum doesn’t return anything meaningful, and general Google search returns some kind of abomination on Backdraft cars.

[Al_C]

If I understand correctly, you want something like you'd see on a Mercedes or Audi, yes? Interesting concept, but have never seen anything like that on a cobra. It would probably be fairly easy if you have two roll bars, but otherwise you'd have to mount it on the back wall. That would add a completely different look to the car. I'll be interested to see what others come up with.

[Rdone585]

I do have dual roll bars and have often thought of doing something like this. I've seen a BMW with a clear panel just behind the seats on a Z4. I'm also curious if someone else has been successful (or not) attempting this.

[Papa]

Maybe use a tube clamp like these with a piece of acrylic and some threaded knobs through the acrylic into the clamps?

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/All-In-One-Roll-Bar-Accessory-Clamps,42491.html?sku=91032866-1.375&utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5Xhv9O57AIVjIbACh1GnA-mEAQYByABEgKEc_D_BwE

[NiceGuyEddie]

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/first-prototype-rollbar-mounted-wind-baffle-pic.222230/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/do-sun-visors-help-with-wind.255543/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/first-prototype-rollbar-mounted-wind-baffle-pic.222230/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/page-2#lg=thread-542610&slide=0


I did a lot of experimentation on the old forum. The only thing that works is if you have dual rollbars and put something between both of them.

I also experimented with different shapes and sizes of wind wings. Turns out they are already optimum. I closed up the little triangular angle between the top of the wind wing and the windshield post, and it made wind buffeting worse. A larger wind wing did not help. Closing up the bottom did not help. Sun visors that are wider and go all the way across didn’t help. Taller sun visors didn’t help either, it made it worse.

I removed some foam from my seat and this enabled me to sit 2” lower in the cockpit. This helped a lot.

[alexmak]

If I understand correctly, you want something like you'd see on a Mercedes or Audi, yes? Interesting concept, but have never seen anything like that on a cobra. It would probably be fairly easy if you have two roll bars, but otherwise you'd have to mount it on the back wall. That would add a completely different look to the car. I'll be interested to see what others come up with.

Yes, exactly. And I do have dual roll bars.

[alexmak]

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/first-prototype-rollbar-mounted-wind-baffle-pic.222230/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/do-sun-visors-help-with-wind.255543/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/first-prototype-rollbar-mounted-wind-baffle-pic.222230/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wind-deflector.542610/page-2#lg=thread-542610&slide=0


I did a lot of experimentation on the old forum. The only thing that works is if you have dual rollbars and put something between both of them.

I also experimented with different shapes and sizes of wind wings. Turns out they are already optimum. I closed up the little triangular angle between the top of the wind wing and the windshield post, and it made wind buffeting worse. A larger wind wing did not help. Closing up the bottom did not help. Sun visors that are wider and go all the way across didn’t help. Taller sun visors didn’t help either, it made it worse.

I removed some foam from my seat and this enabled me to sit 2” lower in the cockpit. This helped a lot.

Thanks for all those links Eddie, the thing that Kleiner had in the first thread is something close to what I would want, and potentially would work with dual roll bars (which I have). I guess his was just custom made for his car? I don’t think I’m handy enough to make something like that.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I found this on an old Classic Roadster at LCS years ago:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/100_1329.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/100_1328.jpg

I don't know any more about it other than what the photos show. My guess is that plenty of wind still makes its way around the outside corners.

Jeff

[Al_C]

This is starting to sound like a possible winter project (as if I didn't have enough of them already). My only question is how close to the seats should the deflector be? In other words, how much space do you need between the back of your head and the front of the screen? Using either Papa's or NiceGuy's tube clamps, it might not be that difficult to fabricate something.

[steno]

I are a crude frame out of 3/4” EMT conduit and stretched some mesh on it. It worked! But never went any further with it. The high backed seats help too compared to the traditional cobra seats.

[SJDave]

I fabricated one 4 years ago out of 1/4" thick plexiglass, it went all the way across up to the height of the rollbars and had a reverse "wind wing" heat bent into the sheet at the outside. Without the reverse wind wing there was still buffeting at the sides. Unfortunately all the pictures I had were on Photobucket and I refused to pay there ridiculous fee for a casual user, so they're gone. The prototype I took to a local plastic fab shop to get a quote on a "pretty version" made on their CNC router, then I got sick for almost a year and forgot about it. This post just reminded me they still have it and the pattern I made....maybe...it might be gone by now.

I used some SouthCo plastic hinges in the center so I could fold it up and place in the trunk, but it weakened it quite a bit and the center section between the rollbars vibrated like mad at 70 mph. So I added four holes and an "L" shaped plastic piece that attached with Thumbscrews to reinforce the hinge area, it worked fine....no crazy vibration.

I just became a forum vendor "Dave's Workshop" primarily to promote my new Bimini Top product, and sell a few other widgets I made for my car over the years. Just getting going on a website, business license, liability insurance etc...... but the Top also eliminates all buffeting, been tested up to 85 mph. If your interested, Email me at DAlbertalli@comcast.net and I'll get you more information, price is $950 plus shipping for single color Sunbrella Top wth Teflon Thread, 5 year outdoor exposure warranty on fabric and thread. Over 70 colors/textures available, I will mail you a swatch book to make your decision. I'm fabricating all the metal frame parts and have a partnership with Sierra Canvas to sew the Tops, he is working off a pattern I developed for him after another forum members wife sewed the first 4 tops for me. A few pictures attached. Also works with single driver side rollbar by purchasing a suction mount for $100 for the passenger side....

[Ian G]

My high back Kirkeys help a lot with this problem. They are a noticeable improvement over the lower back styles.

[alexmak]

My high back Kirkeys help a lot with this problem. They are a noticeable improvement over the lower back styles.

I keep hearing that :) but I don’t like how they look, and want to keep the original seats (I have headrests mode done to them, though)

Ps I also hear myself talking about the look and imagining how ridiculous the wind deflector might look, lol

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I do have dual roll bars and have often thought of doing something like this. I've seen a BMW with a clear panel just behind the seats on a Z4. I'm also curious if someone else has been successful (or not) attempting this.

That glass panel requires changes to the roll bar skins. It comes as a kit from Europe & is quite pricey with the typical BMW tax. Found the stock factory mesh works very well. That said have never thought about adding it to the COBRA

[CraigS]

If you make it from clear Lexan or plexiglass it stands out when walking near the car. But on the road it is much less visible.

[alexmak]

Nah, plexiglass looks fugly, I’d rather have a mesh. Or may be not have anything at all

[Rdone585]

The just happens to be a Z4 visiting in our garage this week. So here you go, an example of what works for them.
136562

136561

[Cutter 54]

The just happens to be a Z4 visiting in our garage this week. So here you go, an example of what works for them.
136562

136561

Did you notice if it is a plastic, like Lexan, or a glass piece for the wind block? Thanks

[Rdone585]

The piece is plastic / acrylic / Lexan. Don't know how to tell the difference between different compounds. I do suspect it's polycarbonate though simply because it's 13 years old and not scratched. I have a piece of MR10 that I'm going to attempt to mount with these brackets (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QGDXK4J/?coliid=I1G6FHHAS87TC3&colid=MFDPZSP4665Y&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im). I'll experiment with 1/4" plywood to make sure I get the shape optimized. It's getting cold here so I hope I can finish before I have to park the car for the winter.

[Papa]

The piece is plastic / acrylic / Lexan. Don't know how to tell the difference between different compounds. I do suspect it's polycarbonate though simply because it's 13 years old and not scratched. I have a piece of MR10 that I'm going to attempt to mount with these brackets (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QGDXK4J/?coliid=I1G6FHHAS87TC3&colid=MFDPZSP4665Y&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im). I'll experiment with 1/4" plywood to make sure I get the shape optimized. It's getting cold here so I hope I can finish before I have to park the car for the winter.

If you use MDF or plywood to get the desired shape, you can then use that as a template/jig to cut your actual material with a router.

[NiceGuyEddie]

This is starting to sound like a possible winter project (as if I didn't have enough of them already). My only question is how close to the seats should the deflector be? In other words, how much space do you need between the back of your head and the front of the screen? Using either Papa's or NiceGuy's tube clamps, it might not be that difficult to fabricate something.

136872

The setup here was made to be adjusted, there was no difference in buffeting when moving the panel forward and back. (YES I was very careful when driving.)

The clamps I used were 2" clamps for stage lighting. There was plasti-dip and/or rubber on the inside. I'm sure there are better options, such as the clamps seen for rollbar-mounted seatbelts.

I think the best (and only) thing that can be done is put SOMETHING behind the seats or between two rollbars.