Hello Guys & Girls

It's been a little while since I was last on here, My alpine is almost ready for its Mot, however just one little thing I want to finish before I put her back on the road...

Ive got my new hood, and reconditioned my folding frame.

I went to the Solent groups last meet and noticed that all the cars had a very neat set up with the hood storage system.
It was a kind of bin welded or fixed somehow in the back of the car, which then had a leather/vinyl cover to go over the hood when folded down.

I noticed that all the cars were either a series 4/5, however my car is a series 3.

Anyway, to get to the point, I am after some help trying to obtain one of these storage bins, or help to guide me how I can make my own. I am hoping to have the car ready for the next meet at Goodwood in July.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Alex,

Is your series 3 a GT or Sports?

The series 3 Sports should have metal folding covers for the hood, these are the same as for the series iv. The series v had a fabric cover - not so neat but then also no squeaks.

The metal bin covers also form the the back rest for the rear seat. You will notice that a sports has a smaller rear seat than a GT

Hi and thanks for the fast response.

My series 3 is infact a GT model, It was never fitted with a folding hood and soft top, this I have added on in addition to its hardtop it has.

On the ones I saw, the 3 pieces of soft trim that go around the back had been removed, and the support brackets that hold these in place had been removed.

I'll see if i can take some pictures of my car tonight as a visual aid.

Alex

This is one of the cases where the advice on this forum to get the 'Alpine Guide' is most apt.
You have two, maybe three, choices:
1. Find all the metal bins etc appropriate to your SIII. This isn't as hard as it sounds because, unlike the rest of the car, they don't usually rust. You need SIII or SIV parts. Even with these you will have to attach at least one pivot for the folding side parts. You can keep your seat cushion. As you say, you have to remove the pressed steel brackets which held the rear trim panels and cappings. These metal bins are not compatible with Securon inertia belt reels
2. As above but find SV Tourer parts. Rarer and not really apt for a SIII. The SV had the fixed wall around the rear seat and the soft covers which are like the margin of a tonneau cover.
3. Follow the scheme I devised in 1974 when I fitted a hood to my GT. This is fully detailed in the Guide - dimensions etc. It comprises a fixed vertical wall around the seat (covered with black carpet) and then a removable vinyl-covered plywood 'lid' which hides the folded hood, and becomes a rear 'shelf' when the hood is up (or when the hardtop is fitted). I have never been tempted to change to either of Rootes' designs!

Alex, If you need a Guide I can sell you a Club copy complete with ring binder. Send your payment to the membership secretary, address in the Horn

I was just wondering if people could post some pictures of their set ups etc

Ive been looking for some metal storage bins but i cant find anything!

looks like im going to have to make my own somehow...

Any help much appreciated.
This is literally the last thing i need to finish before i can get her back on the road.
I'm hoping i can do this before summer ends.

Cheers
Alex

I made my own set as I couldnt find a set at the time. I used a mig welder to fit a hinge pin, and add bracing pieces to reinforce the structure. No chrome strips but they look quite good.