Windblockers

Gerald Warner · Post by **Gerald Warner** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:25 am

I am considering buying one of these. So far I have heard of a perspex one which fits behind the seats, a plastic and vinyl one which fits over the seats and a diy one which involves cutting a bit of plywood and strapping to the seats.
What are peoples experiences? What works? What would you recommend?

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:36 am

I have a perspex one that attaches to the parcel shelf and spans the whole width of the car (1991 NA). You are welcome to borrow it to try it out - but I am in Auckland.

Regards
David Moughtin

Post by **zorruno** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:20 pm

I can't comment on actual performance, as I've never used one. I can
suggest a couple of things that may help your choice though.

I guess bigger is better (although that would need testing), and it
probably depends on how much you want to sacrifice looks. There are
some available in the US that enthusiasts swear by but are absolutely
huge. The Mazda factory one (I think you can get from mx5mart? - they
should fit an NA, and are stock on an NB) is quite unobtrusive, the same
colour as the interior vinyl, but probably doesn't work as well as some
of the larger ones.

Also, do you want it easy to remove? Plastic ones fold up small, solid
ones need somewhere to go when not used. Bigger ones can interfere with
folding down/up the top. The Mazda one pops up and down, but stays
fixed in place.

Do you like DIY? If so, lots of people have come up with their own
personalised DIY designs - some of which are pretty amazing, involving
laser cut perspex with logos on them, interior matching vinyl covered
wood, wind blockers integral to roll/style bars etc.

As to which works better? I don't know of any study, but it is likely
also to depend on if there is only you in the car or one other, windows
down or up and how fast you drive. You'd probably have to test a couple
of options to see if there is a difference and which one you like.

HTH
cheers

petercristina · Post by **petercristina** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:23 pm

Hi, we bought a perspex one from Ross at Mx5mart and it screws into existing holes between the seats. Definitely made a big difference. The only thing, it leaves small gaps against the sides of the seats which I guessing the ones that fit over the tops of the seats seal completely. It isn't too high which enables us to still store largish objects behind the seats with the top up.

Bob K · Post by **Bob K** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:49 pm

Hi,
We have a MX5 Mart perspex one and are happy with it. It is unobtrusive and does the job. It doesn't fold and cannot be quickly removed (where would you store it?) but these aren't really problems.

Vince · Post by **Vince** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:23 pm

Most of the aftermarket windblockers have their disadvantages, the perspex type leave a gap each side that still allows the wind to come thru, and the height of it restricts access to the parcel shelf when the top is up. The stretch over the seatback type becomes a nuisance when you want to move the seatback forward to get something from behind it, and I'm not sure how effective they are. My suggestion would be to buy a folding plastic one from a Series 2, [98-05] It bolts straight in, completely fills the space between the seatbelt towers, and the top portion can be folded down for access when the roof is up.
You could expect to pay $200-$250 for a good one, but well worth it, and I think Ross at MX5Mart has one listed at the moment.

Vince.

GEEMCB · Post by **GEEMCB** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:33 pm

Hi,

There is a study of windblockers on maita.net - sorry, you'll need to find it - home PC fried & working over s l o w dialup at present ....

Regards

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:19 pm

On my NA I have a Perspex one. It fits into a couple of aluminium channels that are mounted using the fastener for the roof cover when the roof is down along with one of the plastic plugs that hold in some trim. These are mounted vertically behind the seat so the Perspex slots into them. The top of the Perspex is curved. The height was chosen so that the windblocker will just fit behind the seats when the roof is up. The roof can be raised with the windblocker in place but very difficult to unzip the window. It will also just fit in the boot (with spare mounted under the floor) and doesn't take up much space.
Quick and easy to install and remove. Makes a big difference to buffeting
and noise. The NB factory one does work but is not nearly as effective as
the Perspex one. Looks better though.

Gerald Warner · Post by **Gerald Warner** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:55 am

Thanks for all the information and advice people! Still haven't made a decision yet but leaning towards perspex for performance. On the other hand plastic is convenient. Spoiled for choice really. When I owned an MGB there were no such things. Thanks again.

GrubbyMX · Post by **GrubbyMX** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:42 pm

Is there anyone out here who has fitted the factory windblocker out of an NB into an NA?
Or for that matter what about those of you that have gone from an NA to NB.

There is a trader on TM who is selling them on what appears to be a regular basis and is asking $325 for them, and I am wondering if it's worth the money and effort.

Cheers

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:26 pm

Hi Keith

I may well be in the minority here, but in my view, it is not worth the money or effort. I have an NA and very rarely use the windblocker. However, when I have the top down, the windows are down too, which would reduce the effect that the blocker has. You are welcome to borrow
mine for a trial if you like. I am in Auckland though.

David

Shermio · Post by **Shermio** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:48 am

I have ridden in a NB with the OEM windblocker and they are too low to do much good... I've just got a mesh pocket across my style bars... they are great, Im sure you could do the same D.I.Y with some of the sun blocker material

petercristina · Post by **petercristina** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:20 am

yes I agree, they look good but are too low. The higher the better.

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:21 am

I'm one of these die hard drivers who drives with the roof down and both windows down, even in winter and sometimes in the rain (this is a real blast!).

It's a convertible! Feel the breeze through your hair.

You could always get a leather cap and goggles for the "true" experience.

okay I'll take my coat,

Gordon Tucker · Post by **Gordon Tucker** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:38 pm

I have owned NA,NB,and now an NC. I used to sell a perspex windblocker that slotted into U shaped aluminium channel that attaches to the side of the seabelt posts, so it went right across the gap behind the seat. This worked very well and wasn,t too high to get jackets etc out with the hood up. It worked better than the stock NB one, although I did raise the NB one up and blocked off the gap underneath which improved it. The NC is really good. you sit a lot lower and the folding blocker is high. My wife can even wear a straw hat with no ties, without it blowing off

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