Sidescreens provide weather protection for the door apertures, fitting into locating points on the doors and sealing to the body and hood. Three patterns exist, matching the three hood frame specifications, a critical distinction, as shape changed with the hood frame and the types cannot be mixed.
Three Sidescreen Specifications
Sidescreen shape is directly related to the hood frame. Early TD sidescreens (cars with the two-bow frame to chassis 20695 RHD / 20373 LHD) had a front screen with the top sloping downward toward the rear, continuing the TC pattern. With the three-bow frame from 20696 RHD / 20374 LHD, the shape changed: top and bottom lines of the front celluloid window became parallel and the rear sidescreen top was set at a steeper angle. TF sidescreens differ from both TD types because the steeper TF windscreen rake changes the geometry at the base.
Each set comprises four sidescreens, front right, front left, rear right, and rear left. A small patent number plate was fitted at the top inside the front sidescreens on all three specifications.
Sidescreen Construction
The front sidescreens have a stiffener sandwiched between two layers of material, with chrome-plated beading bolted around the celluloid windows from inside the frame. The celluloid (not glass) provided visibility while flexing with the frame's movement without cracking.
The chrome beading both seals the celluloid and finishes the appearance.
Sidescreen Frames
New sidescreen frames are catalogued as a complete car set of four for each specification, with individual frames per position. The three specifications are 2-bow TD, 3-bow TD, and TF, each comprising front RH, front LH, rear RH, and rear LH frames. Trial-fit new frames before trimming, as the hand-built body means each car varies slightly in door and scuttle dimensions, minor adjustment may be needed to achieve a good seal.
Chrome Strip Kits and Frame Hardware
A chrome strip kit dressing the celluloid windows is catalogued as a 16-piece set per car for each frame specification (2-bow TD, 3-bow TD, and TF). A screw and nut kit secures the strips to the frames as a complete car set. Tan paint aerosol allows touch-up where the original finish has deteriorated.
Sidescreen Covers
Sidescreen covers are catalogued in Double Duck canvas or heavy-duty vinyl, in biscuit (tan) or black, as complete car sets of four. The cover kit is matched to the hood material and colour. Covers are typically renewed alongside the hood as part of a weather equipment refresh.
Sidescreen Mounting Hardware
Sidescreens locate to the doors and body at four points per car. At the front of each, a peg engages a sidescreen-to-door socket (two sockets per car). At the rear, four stud plates per car (two per sidescreen, front and rear edge) provide mounting. Twelve chrome screws fix stud plates and sockets to door and body.
Four wing nuts secure the rear mounting, allowing rapid removal for fair-weather driving. The triangular backing plate behind the door trim panel provides the structural peg-to-socket mounting and is common to TD and TF.
Durable Dot Fasteners
Durable Dot fasteners attach the sidescreen covers to the frames. The silver-finish female (button-and-socket) is fitted to the underside of the cover; the male stud is fixed to the frame. Engaging the two creates a snap-fit that holds positively and releases for cover removal. Females are catalogued in pairs; males individually and in sets.
A dedicated Durable Dot fixing tool ensures the female components rivet cleanly into the cover material without damaging the surrounding fabric.
Sidescreen Storage
On the TD, sidescreens were stored vertically at the back of the tonneau, continuing the TC arrangement. On the TF, they stored horizontally in the floor of the tonneau, freeing space for the tilting bucket seat mechanism. The TF compartment was lined in black felt with a Rexine-covered lid hinged at the back.
Ordering Considerations
Sidescreen specification is determined by hood frame: 2-bow TD (chassis to TD/20695 RHD or TD/20373 LHD), 3-bow TD (from TD/20696 RHD or TD/20374 LHD), or TF. When ordering individual frames or chrome strips, both position (front RH/LH, rear RH/LH) and frame specification must be confirmed. Covers are catalogued by complete car set, with material (Double Duck or vinyl) and colour (tan or black) being customer choices. Mounting hardware is common to all three frame specifications.
Durable Dot fasteners and tool are common across sidescreen, hood, and tonneau applications.