I expect someone here will have been caught in a downpour in a car with no hood, maybe even no windscreen.

I expect a person in this situation would get a bit wet, but how bad is it? What precautions can be taken (apart from checking the weather forecast). Is waterproof clothing parctical and effective?

Any info or opinions appreciated

John

Depends on the type of rain, matey!

Clive (Jollygreengiant), Geoff (Wilkingj) and Mel (Rusty Nuts) near drowned last year heading to Newark on the Friday night.

Other times the airflow over the car can sweep it all away and it's as though it didn't rain.

I'd say that in a good downpour you will be the proverbial kitty - And even full waterproof leathers probably isn't going to save you as your hands and head are at the wrong angles.

The car would also take a pounding - Geoff had a really bad wiring fault a few weeks back that he traced to his hazard switch on top of the Sierra column cover getting damp at Newark.

Light rain is not a problem even without a windscreen.

I use a good waterproof and it keeps me dry ( top half )

Hailstone hurts

Snow is cold

Paul

Drive faster.....or wear wet weather bike gear and a crash helmet

Done 2000miles in bad weather in mine.

Bike helmet definately needed.

Plus I wear on my top half a totally waterproof, high-vis plastic donkey jacket type thingy.... borrowed, ahem, from a railway worker!

In my opinion though, the car looks a complete wreck very rapidly.... if you're gonna use it a lot in bad weather then think very carefully about the interior and make it all of plastic and ali!

HTH,
James

Take a look at the pic of me about 2/3 the way down this page. I scooped up all the hail from the passenger's seat and made a snowball. The weather was sunny and cloudless when we left.

link

I went to Total kit car live at oulton park a year or two ago. It rained all the way home. The water soaked from my jeans up my shirt to about chest high, even under my waterproof coat.

Expect to get wet.

Scuba dry suit is the only way to keep truly dry.
But
a. its bloody hot
b. you look a right knob

Karting over suit would work but refer to b.

To be honest getting wet wasn't the problem as a decent waterproof coat AND overtrousers will keep you almost dry , the problem was visibility even with a screen. You need 3 sets of wipers, one for the front of the screen, one for inside the screen and the third for you face. We got stuck on the A1 because of an accident ahead of us , when we moved off the heavens opened. It wasn't a storm it was a monsoon. We had to keep moving simply because we couldn't see anywhere safe to stop. Geoffs car was worse as he had sealed his floor

make sure you put some holes in the floor or you will have it sploshing up ya trollys

One piece bike waterproofs (plastic) with bash hat.

Make sure the wrists and ankles are elasticated or have velcro straps so you can tighten. Also have velcro on collar for same reason. Also a neck warmer - basically covers nose/ and mouth and (more velcro) at back. You might find water runs down legs, so feet might get wet, and it might puddle on seat.

If you have a helmet and gloves, get a "V wipe" to go over one of gloved fingers. It's a mini windscreen wiper. Wouldn't go out on bike without one!

One word of advice though (do as I say, not as I do), don't open visor just as oncoming car goes through huge puddle

ATB

Simon

light rain's OKish, heavy rain's a nightmare from a visibility point of view and safety - aquaplaning is a real danger.

To keep dry, waterproofs are the order of the day. I currently keep a cagoule and a pair of golf overtrousers in the boot, but I was thinking of getting a microlight flying suit - should be dry and warm for winter

This bunch have got a sale on at the moment, e.g.

I drove home from Stoneleigh one year. Was fine until I got to Leeds and rained solidly until I got back to Newcastle. I sort of hunkered down in the seat and most of the rain (at motorway speeds) just hits your helmet. My jacket and trousers stayed pretty dry.

However last night I got absolutely soaked coming home from the Church Mouse. Torrential rain for a 15 mile drive and everything was wet through by the time I got home!

Also, if you get caught in 4" of wet snow, it gets flicked up by the front wheels, hits the rear arches and sort of washes over in icy lumps into your crotch. That ain't pleasant!

Basically, protect as much of the wiring as possible, using heat shrink etc. Dress for the weather and you'll be fine. Carry an umbrella to put up over the steering column / drivers seat whilst it is parked up, which saves you sitting down into a puddle!

If it gets too bad, take refuge in a Petrol Station etc.

Mike

Now that is a bloody good idea

Just think about how bikers out up with it.

I have some nice yellow water proofs from my NCB days, not very good looking but the absolute dogs knackers at keeping you dry!

As said above, holes in the floor to drain the rain away or else you'll get feet wet when you brake!

OR, as it seldom rains in the UK just don't go out in it!

The motorcycle people have this down pat, so go check out their shops for gloves, jackets etc.

I'm sure you can get All-in-One's for £20 but this one at £30 isn't too bad...

Steve

OXFORD RAIN SUIT

it's water, not suphuric acid.

It rains, you get wet.

You get home and soak in the bath for an hour.

I suppose it's being a biker for all those years, but it really doesn't bother me!

Cheers

Chris

I usually carry waterproof trousers behind seat.

Also got near drowned going to Newark last year. Waterproofs didnt work 100%. Think log flume at Flamingo Land - except for 30 mins rather than 15 secs. Just drill holes in floor and you will be OK.