Hood Frame Cover

Triumph was one of the first sports car manufacturers to commonly use the Hood Frame Cover on their cars as a stowage cover for the framework of the convertible top. Sometimes referred to as “hoodstick covers” or “top frame covers” or “envelope covers” – this is the pre-sewn material cover that is used to hide away and cover up the folded down metal framework of your soft top hood. On the early TR models – the Convertible Hood cover had to be removed from the frame prior to folding the frame away behind the seats and covering using this Hood Frame Cover, or the briefly used Hood Frame 3pc folding Squab Unit of the TR4s. For the TR4A models, the traditional Hood Frame Cover was reinstated, but with revisions to make it larger, able to accommodate the bulkier Hood and Hood Frame as these remained attached to one another when folded down. Two horizontal rows of piping were featured – similar to the look and finish of the Seats and other interior trim panels. Small tabs were sewn to the underside of the front edges for fixings to attach to the bulkhead and b post areas respectively. This design was maintained for all the TR4A, TR5 and TR250 models – with a few minor changes made for the TR6 cars – mainly around the b post pillars. They continued to use the same black (plastic) “hood” press studs to fixing to the car itself.

It should be worth noting that the TR6 cars actually had three different varieties of shape when discussing these Hood Frame Covers. The most commonly seen version is the Soft Top ONLY version. Triumph also supplied a Hard Top ONLY version. Whereas most cars, if fitted with a hardtop – would not include anything related to the Soft Top – Triumph, in their wisdom, still included the Hood Stick framework used for the Soft Top – and simply covered this over at the back of the car with the material Hood Frame Cover. To make allowances for the actual hard top framework – the Hood Frame material cover was not as deep as the commonly seen Soft Top variety. The 3rd and final version of the Hood Frame Cover originally offered by Triumph was the extremely rarely seen Hard Top+Soft Top version. This incorporated both elements of the above designs, but used a row of stud fixings to fastener together the two elements of the different covers – thus making it interchangeable between a fully opening soft-top convertible or the hardtop version with the soft-top framework stowed away.

The majority of Triumph TRs left the factory with PVC Hooding – this is effectively a pvc vinyl plastic material with a waterproof membrane, and featuring a grain in the surface of the material to imitate vinyl/leather. The actual material used was Everflex (known as “British Everflex”) – which was an ICI trade name for PVC Hooding (think “sticky tape” and “sellotape”!). Some special-order models may have left with Deluxe Mohair Canvas. Regardless of the material used, the colour of this cover would have always match the colour of the Convertible Soft Top Hood and Tonneau covers when leaving the original factory production line. Same colour pvc piping was used for the two inside rows, and the edging also finished in the same colour as the main cover colour.

Here at John Skinners, we have supplied thousands of these hood stick envelop covers over our 40 years of manufacturing parts for the TR6 range. Our patterns are all templated using the original factory parts and donor cars – of which John has owned a few himself. A popular “JS Bespoke” option is to have this part made in either Vinyl or Leather – so that both the colour and material exactly match the interior trim items. It is worth remembering that this Hood Frame Cover is only ever on show with the interior trim – and therefore it makes sense to consider matching it to that interior trim. Unlike the other weather equipment parts – this part does not need to be waterproof…if this part is getting wet, you have bigger issues on your hands!!

You may wish to consider our Convertible Soft Top Hood and Tonneau Cover to complete the external “Weather Equipment” set.

DETAILS

• Available in automotive-grade PVC Hooding (Everflex) or Deluxe Mohair Canvas; or Vinyl or Leather if you are wishing to go for a more bespoke finish.
• Edged with the traditional “e” cross-section binding edge finish – where the material edge trim material tucks round on itself meaning no raw material backing is exposed.
• Includes reinforcement material on the underside of all edges; to ensure strength and rigidity during the fitment process.
• Includes hold-down fixing tabs on the underside of the cover.
• All “Female” fixings are included. These are supplied loose, not pre-inserted – see FAQs for more information.

Why JSM?

• Made in England, only 50 miles away from the original production line.
• We source only the highest quality raw materials to manufacture our products – demonstrated by using on the premium versions of both the PVC and Mohair Hooding ranges. In both of these materials, there are cheaper alternatives available which many other suppliers opt to use. Please see the FAQs for more information on this.
• John Skinners offer the widest range of colour options on the market – including all the correct original colour combinations, as well as many more custom shades.
• Worldwide material and colour samples service is available upon request, to ensure you get the look and finish your car deserves.
• Our kits are manufactured using the same methods and templates that we have used to great success for 40+ years. Rest assured, we know they fit!
• JSM has contributed to various notable Triumph restorations including TS01, and the much-publicised Triumph TR2 “Jabbeke“ MVC575 restoration project. We also worked closely with Mark Macy of Macy’s Garage (USA) on his wife’s TR4 – becoming the only Triumph TR to ever score the perfect 100-point score in the TRA Concours D’Elegance – back in 2018. Mark Macys own TR4 came in second place, at the same show – also with JSM trimmed fitted.
• Access to help and advice when it comes time to fit these weather equipment parts – we have been making and fitting these same parts for a long time – we know all the tricks, and we are more than happy to assist you or your trimmer should you get stuck.