Weather equipment covers everything that protects the Midget and its occupants from the elements: the convertible hood (soft top), tonneau covers, car covers, windstops, wipers, and washers. For a car designed to be driven with the roof down, the quality of its weather protection when the roof goes up is critically important, a poorly fitting hood or a leaking windscreen seal will make the car unusable in anything less than perfect weather, which in the British climate means it stays in the garage for most of the year.
Hood Design
The Midget hood design remained essentially the same from 1967 to 1979, with one minor production change in 1969 when a velcro strip replaced the rearmost Tenax fastener on each rear quarter of the hood. The later hood with velcro is the type most widely available today. If fitting this hood to a 1967 or 1968 car, two additional Tenax fasteners must be ordered to fill the positions that the later hood does not cover. The same applies to tonneau covers, which fasten to the same bodywork fixings.
Hood Materials
Hoods are available in four material grades, each in black as the standard colour with alternative colours at additional cost. Standard vinyl is the most economical option and provides adequate weather protection. OE specification vinyl uses a thicker, more durable material matching the original factory weight, this is the recommended choice for owners seeking an authentic restoration without the premium of canvas or mohair. Double duck canvas is a traditional woven fabric that was the original material used on many British sports cars of the period, offering superior weather resistance to vinyl and developing a characterful patina over time, though requiring periodic re-proofing to maintain its waterproof properties.
Mohair is the premium option, offering the best combination of appearance, weather resistance, and longevity, a mohair hood fitted and maintained correctly will outlast any other material option.
Zip-Out Rear Window and Bindings
All four material grades are available with or without a zip-out rear window, which allows the rear screen to be removed independently of the hood for additional ventilation on warmer days. Contrasting colour bindings on the hood edges can be specified when ordering, adding a visual detail that lifts the appearance of the hood, particularly effective on non-black colour options.
Hood Frame and Fasteners
The hood frame is a common item across all models. The header rail seal provides the weather seal between the hood and the windscreen frame and should be renewed with every new hood, a perished seal will leak along the top edge of the screen regardless of the condition of the hood itself. Over-centre catches are available in chrome and satin finishes. The hood fastens to the body via a combination of durable-dot press studs, Tenax twist fasteners, and velcro strips.
All fastener components are available individually. When fitting a new hood, the ambient temperature should be above 10°C, in cold conditions, the material should be warmed with an electric fan heater to prevent cracking during stretching over the frame.
Tonneau Covers
Half tonneaus cover the passenger side only (leaving the driver's area open), while full tonneaus cover the entire cockpit. Both types are available in the same four material grades as the hood. Full tonneaus are offered with or without head restraint apertures, the correct type depends on whether head restraints are fitted to the seats rather than the chassis number, as many owners have retrofitted head restraint seats to earlier cars. As with hoods, pre-1969 cars will require additional Tenax fasteners if a later-style tonneau is fitted.
Hood Care
Hood care products help maintain the appearance and weather resistance of all four hood materials. Vinyl hoods benefit from periodic cleaning with a dedicated vinyl cleaner and UV protectant to prevent fading and cracking. Double duck and mohair hoods should be re-proofed annually with a fabric waterproofing treatment, once the factory proofing deteriorates, untreated canvas or mohair will absorb water rather than repelling it, adding weight and promoting mildew growth in damp storage. A soft brush removes dried-on debris without damaging the fabric surface.
Car Covers and Storage
Tailored outdoor covers use a breathable multi-layer fabric that keeps rain out while allowing moisture to escape from beneath the cover, preventing the trapped condensation that causes corrosion on cars stored under non-breathable covers. Indoor cotton dust covers protect against dust and minor knocks during garage storage. A cockpit storm cover provides quick protection for the interior if rain arrives while the hood is stowed.