Pics of roof catches please.

[Last S4]

Hi,
I need to fit roof catches to my S, The targa has been recovered and is not the original anyway. I am trying to work out how the plastic catches should go on and where about they should be.
Any pictures would be a great help.
At this stage I am afraid to go past 70mph in case the roof leaves the car!

[MnS]

Hi Steve,
faster than 70mph , it is the legal limit you know
Is this pic any help, have heard that on some the catches weren't fitted from new and no reports of tops flying off........unless anyone knows different.

[Gerald-TVR]

Mentioned in and clearly shown in the hand book for my S

[tubbystu]

I haven't had catches for years.......... mind you the roof is hardly ever on.

I have had the roof on and tested it at (a'hem national) speed (a'hem limit) without any issues.

[mep12345]

If I understand correctly the catches are not required for a properly fitted roof they are there to stop the panels falling on the driver in an accident when the body flexes. They were also an after thought and not fitted to the S1 and early S2s I beleieve

[Last S4]

Thats really interesting. I assumed they must be fitted to secure the roof, but they are only plastic catches.
My roof fits ok and I certainly cannot move it by shoving etc. I will keep it at a steady speed until there is no-one behind me and then I can try it at 70mph
Thanks.

[Wiz]

Roof was retrimmed on mine a few years back and hasn't got the catches. Have got the chim stays in the back and think there pretty solid.

[jim2607]

I have an S1 with no catches and it has been rather thoroughly tested for roof security vs air movement without any problems!

[magpies]

I was towing the body tub of my S1 on a trailer (back from rollcage manufacturer - body off for chassis refurb) and when I arrived home the drivers side panel had blown off - had to retace my route to find it - now have it back after having the panel repaired and new blue mohair fitted. I think the body must haved flexed due to not being on the chassis???

[Last S4]

magpies said:

I was towing the body tub of my S1 on a trailer (back from rollcage manufacturer - body off for chassis refurb) and when I arrived home the drivers side panel had blown off - had to retace my route to find it - now have it back after having the panel repaired and new blue mohair fitted. I think the body must haved flexed due to not being on the chassis???

How does the targa look after being refurbed? I had mine done by the same guy I think? Mine is pretty good.
Hopefully the targa only came off because the chassis wasn't fitted.

[Scoobimax]

Mine don't look anything like those in the pic, and are so lose they might as well not be there! the hook part fixed to the windscreen frame appear to be pulled out of line as if stressed too much in the past. I'll take some pics and post on here for opinions on how to rectify or even just blank the screw holes off.

intrigued...

Max

[CTE]

My S1 roof panel blew off, but I was doing 140mph into a head wind!...Marham charity trackday.....stopped the session until it was collected and returned in good condition. I used quite a lot of tape thereafter for the rest of the event.

Must admit, I think the stiffness of the roof stays, and rigidity of the rear fixing panel (to which the stays are mounted) have to most influence over whether or not your roof panel stays in or not. Never had a problem before on trackdays, but it was a stiff headwind.

[The Stiglet]

When TVR Fix were doing all the work for me last week they said the S1 does have roof catches. I said it didn't. But they showed me the little hooks on the top of the window frame and they ordered in some plastic catches. They say the roof has been recovered and the holes covered up...I reckon it is hard to tell. Either way I think they said I need some spacers or something? What are those for?

I've never driven at speed with roof up, always down so now I'm a little scared!

[phillpot]

Maybe not standard but catches on my S3 are metal and the hooky bit can be screwed in or out to adjust tension. I've always thought of them as "a little bit of insurance"

[jonnylayze]

Wiz said:

Roof was retrimmed on mine a few years back and hasn't got the catches. Have got the chim stays in the back and think there pretty solid.

ditto (except the trimming!)

[Last S4]

I have the Chim latches and the roof seems solid when its up. By the looks of it, as long as I keep it under 140mph I will be ok

[Danlor]

My S2 is the same has the above photo but without the packer.
The catch will not work properly on mine, as the packer is not underneath it and so does not align to get the tension on and the toggle falls off…
Has any one got a drawing or sketch of it so I could make a couple?
I believe the clips are in RS catalogue.
Danlor

[Tigerfred]

I have not used them on my S3 for three years, when I bought the car one of them was broken.

I bought a pair from someone on the forum, but I fitted them, then took them off, I think they damage the roof panels when packed in the boot.

I have never felt the roof a problem, even at speed, even more so, now I have a pair of Chim stays.

Fred

[Last S4]

It seems that the most important factor is not the weak plastic catches, but the fit of the panels and the type of roof stays (Chim or S). I have Chim stays and I cannot move the roof panels by hand so I am not too worried about the plastic catches.
Thanks for the info.

[Gerald-TVR]

Roof, roof whats a roof!!!!!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>