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Regarding your design in Post #30, not sure if you've yet seen evidence of the fellow over in Amsterdam who has been producing high-quality, laser-cut versions of these for aftermarket sale via the Roadster owners FB Page. They've become quite the rage. In just a few months he's sold and shipped ~100 units (including one to my address ).
I just saw this in the latest issue of MC2...looks well made. I knew I should have sent that patent application in sooner!
I live in a city area and 90% of the driving is 10 miles or less...called traffic...I have wind noise too and it's called irate people with horns, people screaming in their phones, blasting music, and arguments......maybe I do need a windscreen.
It gets strapped to the back of the seats via the headrest posts?
What happens if the two seats are not in the same position, say when the copilot takes a nap?
Yes, they are attached via the headrest posts, and you'd need to disconnect one side if you want to fold one seat forward. You can reach items in the rear shelf and floor area as the Windblox only extends about 6 inches below the top of the seat.
Not sure how your copilot takes a nap, but both of my seats are normally pretty far back and can't recline any further.
I just installed these made by Louis van den Dobbelsteen. I am very happy with the results. It does cut down on some noise (when a truck is behind me and the top is up) and has helped a bit with wind.
Last edited by Aubie; Jun 5, 2015 at 07:45 PM.
Reason: added link
We added the "Dobbelsteen" headrest wind blockers but we find the majority of R59 wind buffeting now comes leading edge of side windows...where a non-moveable, "wing vent" window was in our previous two Miatas. I think the only solution to that issue for long highway drives in the Roadster...would be to raise the side windows...as dorky as that solution is....it works.
I had promised some additional feedback on the Windblox plexiglass (my post #38). I've put a few dozen days of significant top-down riding over the past month, and my wife and I agree that it does a much better job than the stock windscreen, and there is a definite improvement in wind buffeting over the stock windscreen+Dobbelsteen-type block (my post #30). With the Windblox, there is quite a bit less buffeting with the side windows down, and almost no buffeting with the side windows up (on a few cooler evenings with heat on). HK stereo sound is improved with less wind noise, and you can lower the volume a bit.
I did take TG's suggestion and cut/rounded the corners to follow the sides of the roll bar/headrest. The clarity of the windscreen is quite good, and it becomes almost unnoticeable when riding. We also like the improvement in rear view mirror visibility from removing the stock windscreen.
The issue remains that you can't fully fold one seat forward with the Windblox installed, but you can simultaneously fold both seats forward if needed. Realistically, as I can reach under the Windblox or reach in from behind the headrests to get items on the rear shelf or floor, I've only moved the seats to vacuum once or twice. Complete removal of the Windblox takes less than a minute by removing 2 snaps on the strap around the headrest support posts.
All in all, a nice and relatively inexpensive alternative if you (or your spouse) is annoyed by the wind buffeting, especially on longer trips at higher speeds.
Don't seem to have any updates on anyone acquiring this King Penn Industries Wind Blocker. Looks like the best combination of ideas, other than a 3 piece Lexan, inside two hoops and a piece to replace the original wind screen between the hoops contraption.
We did a little top down 35 mile mostly back roads type drive yesterday afternoon at 41-42 degrees in faded sunshine. Speeds 35 to 55 mph. Air turbulence not horrible by any means, but I can see how that "WindRestrictor" might help keep some of the heated air in the passenger compartment from dissipating as quickly.
Anyone buy, install and use a "WindRestrictor" yet?
I bought one for the wife as a Christmas gift. Should get it this week. I bought it for the better visibility and maybe a bit better wind control over the stock one. I have a 2009 r57 with the mini wind blocker and it does a much better job than the roadster wind blocker. The problem with the roadster is the windshield rake. The 2009 windshield stands up much straighter and it forces the slipstream further out on the side of the car. The roadster side slipstream spills back in over the door at around the door lock. If you raise the side windows up 3 or 4 inches you can feel the turbulence decrease. The side turbulence on the 2009 does not spill back in until it reaches the wind blocker. The side turbulence on the roadster spills in before it reaches the area of the head rests. I am not sure a larger wind blocker is going to help with the wind spilling in along the sides. Kenny said it did help with the windows down but each model wind blocker is different in size and placement so I won't know for sure until install. I noticed a pretty significant difference between the two model cars so I started placing my hands around the area to feel the slipstream. The 2009 has significantly less air spilling in over the doors. Raising the side windows even a small amount on the roadster helps get the turbulence behind the headrest. With the roadster windows up I am sure the larger surface area of plexiglass will help calm the eddy currents spilling in from behind and keep you warmer. My guess is the thick plexiglas might help knock the noise down coming from behind.
Last edited by blackcreek; Nov 22, 2015 at 06:54 PM.
Glad to hear you bought a Wind Blocker. Please let me know what you think when you try it out. For our cooler weather season up here it might work out pretty well. We did notice yesterday that windows up reduced the turbulence quite a bit. Windows up is not something I like with the top down, but under the circumstances, we tried it. Blustery wind at 41 degrees gets your attention.
King Pen wind blocker review.
Bought one for 186 dollars delivered during one of their sales. Package came in a couple days.
Well packed with no problems in transit.
Comes with installation instructions, cotton gloves, and plexi cleaner.
Installation is a no brainer, just follow the instructions. You need a 1/8 allen wrench which is not provided. 15 minutes to install and adjust if you take your time.
The thing is crystal clear, that is just lint etc you see prior to cleaning.
You lose a click or two of seat recline if your passenger wants to lean way back and take a nap. I may glue some felt over the bracket to protect the back of the leather head rest.
The handle on the top going up/down clears by a mile. I dont think this wind blocker would work at all on 2012 manual tops.
Pros vs stock wind blocker
Crystal clear rear view.
Totally non intrusive, nothing in the way.
Cuts down on wind intrusion a lot with windows up, and with windows down cuts down the back flow through the roll bars. I would subjectively say a 50% improvement with windows up and maybe 30% with windows down over the stock wind blocker.
Measured with a phone app db meter at ear level the sound went from a max of 80.1 db at 75MPH to 78.2 with the wind blocker installed and the top up. I have a factory JCW exhaust so MCS and Justa would probably show a lesser difference. Like a wall along the expressway this thing does knock down the noise a bit that comes from behind the car.
Cons vs stock wind blocker.
Looks are subjective but some may not like the look of it.
Did not help much at all with the wind coming in over the door sills with the windows down. You still get a cross flow in the cockpit unless you raise the windows a bit.
I don't think this will work on a manual top, just too much in the way.
Cost
Might need felt applied to the places where it hits the roll bars. So far no odd squeaks but time will tell.
Last edited by blackcreek; Dec 8, 2015 at 05:49 AM.
Nice write up. I would love to hear a follow-up after you've driven a couple thousand miles. I am especially interested in how it holds up to abrasion. I wonder if it will show pitting akin to headlights after a while.
Nice write up. I would love to hear a follow-up after you've driven a couple thousand miles. I am especially interested in how it holds up to abrasion. I wonder if it will show pitting akin to headlights after a while.
It is not subject to direct frontal attack like the headlights so my guess is it will hold up just fine.
I worked on the firebird/camaro assembly line from 1977 to 1979 do you still own one?
Thanks for the post and review! I think the pros have it. Cost is not super inexpensive, true, but just being able to see clearly out back with the mirror is a big pro when the top's up or top's down. With an open top, you're never going to calm all the wind. Even with a Targa type roof (they usually have a rear window that acts like a complete Wind Blocker, you'll still get some air movement through the cabin at highway speeds with windows down.
If you get a chance, put the top down and take some pictures of your roadster from different angles with the Wind Blocker installed. I don't think you would see it enough to affect the car's great looks.
I worked on the firebird/camaro assembly line from 1977 to 1979 do you still own one?
I wish! Ah, the glory days. In my youth I owned a black '78 T/A 403 auto (pictured in the avatar), a red '79 T/A 403 auto, a red '74 T/A 400 auto, and my favorite, a blue with white strip '70 T/A RAIII 4-speed. The '70 I sold ~1990 for $12k to a collector in Japan. Probably worth $50k+ these days.
Thanks for the post and review! I think the pros have it. Cost is not super inexpensive, true, but just being able to see clearly out back with the mirror is a big pro when the top's up or top's down. With an open top, you're never going to calm all the wind. Even with a Targa type roof (they usually have a rear window that acts like a complete Wind Blocker, you'll still get some air movement through the cabin at highway speeds with windows down.
If you get a chance, put the top down and take some pictures of your roadster from different angles with the Wind Blocker installed. I don't think you would see it enough to affect the car's great looks.
My car went in yesterday for some warranty work including putting felt strips down to stop the top rattles when down. I pulled the wind blocker off and stuck the stock one back on as I did not want it in the way while they worked. I improved my review above because I did feel a considerable amount more air with the top down than with the King Pen installed. I was working from memory on the stock wind blocker review but after driving with the King Pen both on and off I Bumped up my positive review. I also noticed the noise immediately after taking it off. It does quiet the exhaust noise when installed.
I wish! Ah, the glory days. In my youth I owned a black '78 T/A 403 auto (pictured in the avatar), a red '79 T/A 403 auto, a red '74 T/A 400 auto, and my favorite, a blue with white strip '70 T/A RAIII 4-speed. The '70 I sold ~1990 for $12k to a collector in Japan. Probably worth $50k+ these days.
I was working my way through college and got lucky enough to land a job at the assembly plant. Smokey and the Bandit had just come out and we built a ton of black T/A's.
My car went in yesterday for some warranty work including putting felt strips down to stop the top rattles when down. I pulled the wind blocker off and stuck the stock one back on as I did not want it in the way while they worked. I improved my review above because I did feel a considerable amount more air with the top down than with the King Pen installed. I was working from memory on the stock wind blocker review but after driving with the King Pen both on and off I Bumped up my positive review. I also noticed the noise immediately after taking it off. It does quiet the exhaust noise when installed.
Seems nearly invisible from the looks of your picture, even fairly close up. I think it would really help the cool season top down driving comfort quite a bit. Thanks for updating your wind blocker review. I'm probably going to buy one.
I don't find having the top down at 70+ bothersome. If I do I put on a hat. Wind through my hair is why I have the cabrio.
My 09 R57 is much more sedate in the cockpit and I agree with you. The roadster not so much.
The cars are really quite different with the 09 having a much more upright and highly curved windscreen. The roadster windscreen is flater by comparison and more steeply raked. While the roadster windscreen looks better in my opinion something about it makes it more turbulent in the cockpit. Here is the 09 in the background.
Last edited by blackcreek; Dec 8, 2015 at 06:46 PM.
).
...maybe I do need a windscreen.
