Have just brought a 1995 Mk1 California with a vinyl roof that is well past its best.
I would like to try to keep the car as original as possible but what do I do about the hood? I am pretty certain that originally it was vinyl and to replace this is the cheapest option, but hood suppliers have suggested and offered the mohair equivalent at a bit more cost, what should I do?
Did the California ever come from the dealers with a mohair roof option?
Your comments and suggestions please, as I am in a bit of a quandary.[*-)]
Sue
Hi Sue,
At the end of the day you have to do what you feel best for your enjoyment of the car.
However, fitting a mohair hood isn’t the same as having a big body kit or a 7foot subwoofer in the back, I still feel that it wouldn’t be taking away anything from the over all asethics of the car.
Why don’t you ask for the garage to fit the roof to see what it looks like - you don’t have to purchase it if you’re not happy with how it looks.
I don’t know if the California came with an option for a mohair roof unfortunately.
I have found these though which may or may not be of interest - I can’t vouch for the quality!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110328959361&cguid=d9caae8311d0a0e201e0f920febb3d07
http://www.hoodsscotland.co.uk/
Hope this helps - the seller of the eBay item also has other options for roofs.
Adam
Don’t worry about fitting a mohair hood from the originality point of view. Read the forums and see what some people do to their cars. [:S]
Both will be waterproof, mohair looks nicer from the outside and who cares when the top is down ? [:)]
It depends on how far you want to take the originallity thing.
Personally I dont see the problem of a mohair hood over a vinyl one. It will look much much better and often can improve the sound deadening on the motorway when the top is up due to heavy rain or similar.
Some say the mohair keeps the interior warmer as well!
If its original you want then keep in mind hoods are consumables and you can always switch to a vinyl at a latter date if you feel the car is becoming rare. (and the mohair needs replacing as it will do eventually)
I think that even diehard MCL followers would begrudginly agree a mohair hood is an enhancement.
Cheers
Jonathan
Hi Sue,
I think really it depends on your budget/views towards what top you want on your car. Obviously some people prefer a vinyl roof due to it being closer to OEM equipment than mohair. But then again mohair hoods are widely known to be an improvement in quality over the original vinyl specification but a vinyl roof does the basic job of what a convertible top should do perfectly well if it is well looked after(there are plenty of vinyl top treatments to keep it in good shape!).
To be honest most 5 owners, well nearly all i’ve encountered only have the roof up when it’s raining anyway so for me a vinyl roof is adequate as it does the job just fine.
I had my hood fitted at Jimparts Mark 1 Vinyl roof and it is excellent quality. A splash of Cabrio roof care kit will help keep it looking as good as the day it was bought
Cheers
Ben
Mohair or vinyl ?
Its all swings and roundabouts !
Mohair pros = Looks more upmarket, Warmer, Possibly quieter, If looked after they tend to last longer.
Mohair cons = If there not treated every once and a while water can soak through, Cost, Harder to patch if cut by lowlife, Dirt tends to stick.
Vinyl pros = Easer to clean and keep clean, Easer to invisibly patch if damaged, Can be bought cheaply.
Vinyl cons = Can be hard to lower/raise if its cold, Very cheaply made ones can need replacing after less than 4 years, If its not looked after properly it can look “used” very quickly.
Personally, I have a British racing green MK1 with a bottle green, glass windowed, mohair roof (Well, When the hard tops off anyway) and think it’s a major improvement on a black vinyl roof any day… But as its my car I would say that, Wouldn’t I ?
On the other hand, I do think the retina burning yellow paint on a California with a shiny black vinyl roof looks stunning !
I hope this was some help.
Reman.
I used to own a California mark 1 (number 131 - what number is yours?) and personally I prefer the look of the vinyl roof on it. I am not a great fan of mohair roofs and I agree with the previous message that a shiny black vinyl roof looks stunning on the California.
Hi Suzybee
Thank you for your comments, I am leaning towards a vinyl roof at the moment, although the other half and our son say mohair.
My California is number 122, originally from Devon now residing in Cambridgeshire.
Sue
His: Mk3 - 2.0 - True Red - 2006
Hers: Mk1 California - 1995
Hi Sue
It’s your car, so you should get what you want! Don’t listen to those men - they don’t know anything!!! [:$]
I loved my California, and sometimes I wish I had never sold it. I had it from new and did about 130,000 miles in it. Enjoy yours - have you got a name for it? Mine was called Queen Bee, and I have transferred that name now to the S2000 which is Queen Bee II.
Hope to see you at the Spring Rally? [:D]
Sue