DeanG Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I took my first cold, high 40s, weather drive today. Rather than load up the trailer I decided to bundle up and drive to the local shop that does some of the work on our car. A bit too cold. Top to bottom I was dressed in: mad bomber hat; t-shirt, fuzzy, raincoat; jeans; wool socks and boat shoes. I was cold overall especially throat, ears and right hand. Our car has no top, doors or tannaeu cover. I think the next time I will drive with at least one more layer, a scarf and gloves. Maybe I will try my full face helmet. Does anyone have any particular suggestions for staying warm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Does anyone have any particular suggestions for staying warm? Motorcyclists balaclava... ... just don't walk in to a 7-11 forgetting you have it on, gets them very agitated. (true story) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Cancun !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookwheel Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 (edited) We have a Heater Craft heater. Being in Florida..... the big wimp "I'm Cold" syndrome kicks in pretty quickly when the temp drops below 60 degrees! http://www.jcwhitney.com/HEATER_KITS_FOR_ON-ROAD_and_OFF-ROAD_VEHICLES?ID=12;0;1101002307;0;100001;ProductName;0;0;0;0;2002895;0;0 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/snookwheel/P1050180.jpg Still Have to dress warm up top. But, the lower 'essentials' stay very comfy!:driving: Edited December 6, 2009 by snookwheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Cancun !!! Thats a good one......I was going to say move to a warmer climate but CANCUN says it all......:cooldude: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I usually drive the Westfield in sub 30F weather several times each year, but to be fair, those are generally only 20 minute trips to the office. My wind deflectors do a good job of eliminating drafts from the lower part of the cockpit, so jeans, normal socks, and Speedcats are fine. To keep my head and torso warm, I wear baseball hat, ski jacket with the hood up, and zip up the collar so it covers my mouth. Works great. For my hands I have a pair of wind resistant insulated gloves that unfortunately only work well until the upper 30’s, so definitely the weak link in my setup. I think electric motorcycle gloves are probably the way to go for longer trips. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 On the way back from the snowshoe trip in '07, when we left, it was 32 degrees with heavy frost. no windshield, sides, etc... Bike helmet, ski gloves, 4 layers. Didn't feel a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) I've driven the Birkin in weather down to 19 degrees on my 15 minute trip to work with just a hooded sweatshirt, down vest, balaclava, and insulated gloves (no heater installed in my Birkin). Any time I've driven longer than that I start to get really cold unless I stop every half hour. I finally decided to check out the Gerbing jacket liner as mentioned by Loren in this thread: http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3187&highlight=gerbing. A few of my motorcycle buddies also swear by them. So I went to a local motorcycle dealer to try one on, and ended up picking up a jacket liner and a temp controller. The installation was real easy and it only draws a little over 6 amps on full power. The first time I used it the temps were in the low 30's, and I was turning it down to 1/3 power after I was about a 1/2 mile from my house. I was totally impressed and also very toasty! I know they're a little pricey, but if you like driving in cold weather like I do, then to me they are a great option. Here's a link to their site: http://www.gerbing.com/index.php They even work in weather like this: Edited December 7, 2009 by 11Budlite spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Having driven for hundreds and hundreds of miles in the 40 to high teens i suggest electric motorcycle vest. I always wear a good wind resistent insulated jacket over the vest. We found that the electric gloves and pants werent needed as long as you have some warm pants on. If you can keep your core warm the rest stays warm for many hours in the seat. It is easy to get in and out of the car just sit down buckle up and plug the suit into the dash plug and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Race cars don't have 12v outlets. I've driven in 30 degree weather and the aeroscreen helps out a TON! I had a polo shirt and jeans with a leather jacket and a pair of goggles on. Although I looked like Arthur Fonzarelli with the popped collar the jacket wrapped around and protected my ears and face. Not much for peripheral vision though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 It was 23 Saturday when I drove to work. All that unwanted engine heat pouring into the cockpit in the summer seems to disappear in the winter. Someone needs to figure out how to reverse that:)! The heater really helps keep my legs and lower half warm. A sweater, heavy leather jacket and gloves was all I needed up top. I had the full windshield and side screens in place. My only problem was my new carbon fiber race seat stayed ice cold so my butt froze. Next time, a pad goes on the seat. The car is in storage now. I don't fear the cold but the road salt is definitely not good for these aluminum/steel cars. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 Several good ideas were posted. I think I will try and sneak up on the solution by dragging out some of my old motorcycle stuff. It seems that the most important thing is to plan ahead. Throwing on a couple of layers and heading out was an interesting experiment but didn't produce the results I had hoped for. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBowker Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 5 mm full wetsuit should work well even in freezing rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Wind proof gloves, thermals, a good windproof coat, wind proof beanie with built in balaclava (you can pull it under your chin when going into 7/11), good heater and the best thing are those disposable hand warmers. They come in various sizes, you can sit on the ones that are made to go into shoes and they are cheap. I put extras under the passanger seat. I've driven for hours in freezing weather with this setup. I have brooklands, no doors or tunnel cover. High quality snow board pants work well too, might get too hot if you use the heater though. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 Hopefully I can try out some of these ideas on the trip home from the shop. This could be fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 If you have a insulated down jacket, you are going to be toasty. I drove my car today to get the tires changed and some other minor work. It was about 28 when I left. I have an extremely warm Salomon insulated down jacket which I can hardly ever wear here in Seattle because it is soo toasty. Had the doors on, the heater running, some light spring ski gloves and I was warm as can be. I imagine if I had the side doors off it wouldn't have been quite so pleasant, but the heater didn't really seem to be contributing much to the cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 I drove home in mid 60s weather. It was wonderful. People honked & waved. Leaves swirled around. The exhaust made me partially deaf in one ear - I forgot earplugs again. This weekend I will be testing out the gearshift adjustment and cold weather driving cloths. I'll post a report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I got out for a nice fall drive on Wednesday .. just a glorious warm fall day .. went to the Dentist, Hardware store, Grocery Store .. then down a nice two lane through some foliage .. and by the Atlanta White House. That changed fast! cold and miserable for two days now .. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I drove home in mid 60s weather. It was wonderful. People honked & waved. Leaves swirled around. The exhaust made me partially deaf in one ear - I forgot earplugs again. This weekend I will be testing out the gearshift adjustment and cold weather driving cloths. I'll post a report. attach ear plugs to car with a loop, and you'll always have them handy when you need 'em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I could see my self trying to get out of a wet suit, after I got out of the car in 20' weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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