rapid130

Glad to see my old girl is still going strong and has not been messed about with, and getting some tlc here and there too. Skoparts Int is definitely your man for parts...he knows this car, too.

Yes, ricko and robk, sounds like you've had the same issues as I have. There's no satisfactory way of maintaining the tension. "Official" photos, such as the one in jetbubble's original post, always show the cover as being perfectly flat and taught. In reality they are not like that. Also water always gets in round the front end where the gaps are, so it's no use assuming anything you carry under the cover won't get wet. At best the cover keeps the worst of the rainwater at bay. Its function is mainly aesthetic, as rob says. My Fun rotted out at the rear end of the load area. I think constant emptying of the pond on the cover onto the tailgate and this area probably contributed to the rot. Despite all the above I keep the cover on when the Truckman's not in place, as I thnk it looks better and makes the truck marginally more practical.

Got momentarily excited about this as I wondered if it was my one in the other thread. Sadly it's not

Well done, good thinking. A few years ago mine jammed in the open position and I just had to take the back panel apart and generally lubricate things. I think a bit of regular use plus general lubrication of the obvious bits helps a lot. The other bit that has given trouble on mine is the catch on the tailgate, which can seize. Again it was just a matter of taking the back off the tailgate and lubricating the obvious bits.

I'm amazed he's still making them after all this time. I bought one many years ago and on the whole it's served me well. It's easy to fit as it basically just slides into the slots at the top of the bodywork. It also has a few Velcro bits but these soon came off as the Velcro is stronger than the glue holding it on. After many years some of the stitching came undone, but that is easily sorted. The main problem I've had is finding some way of holding it taught, I've never actually cracked this. An extra loop at the back with a bungee through it has helped. But the cover still tends to sag in the middle and collect water. After a downpour I have to open the tailgate and let the water run off. Also after a few years the collected water has left a stain on the tonneau. You may be cleverer than me in devising some way of keeping it taught.

They're not exactly known for their rust-resistance, either! (I know, I've got one )

That's another one of my ex-motors, owned by me from '92 all the way through to 2011 and was the car that got me hooked on Skuds. Sadly I parted with her in the great "whinging neighbour" clear-out of 2011. I fear for her fate now which rumour has it is not good, though I'd love to learn otherwise....

That's so lovely. I agree with Dave: fix it up but leave it looking as it is. Reminds me of my old red one as featured in Skunkola's thread below.

That would be me then! I owned her from March 05 to May 11, when I stupidly ebayed her for the reasons in the link. I acquired her in a straight swap for a Rapid Cabriolet that I owned at the time, which went to start a new life in CZ. In my ownership she was used sparingly in fair weather only, and was kept in a lock-up for a lot of the time. She was remarkably solid, and proved very reliable. Memories include explaining to a boss at the time what the "funny little Noddy car" was that I had turned up for work in, and the look on the face of a Czech lorry driver on the M25 who nearly fell out of his cab with excitement! Does she still have the faded red seat covers straight out of a Czech accessory shop? Have you discovered the natty security battery cut-off? Note the mph speedo which a mate changed for me (original was in kms). On the downside she did not have the dented rear wing then. That must have happened more recently :-( The dodgy patch on the engine lid was always there though. I can recommend Skoparts International for any parts needed, and Daverapid on here for any work. Between them they have it covered in keeping old Skuds alive in the UK. I hope you derive as much pleasure from her as I did :-)