My Meije-white 1985 2CV (called Snowy, hence my moniker on these boards) is in fine mechanical shape, and her physical appearance is improving quickly, following the recent fitting of some new rear panels and a couple of new front wings. However, her roof is a disgrace. It's time for a new one.

Anyone have any reviews of recent roofs that they've bought? Matt's Soft Tops, for example: any good? The ECAS jobbies: any good?
Honest opinions, please... and also please state if you have a vested interest in the product you're reveiwing

Either of those suppliers provide excellent products. They are different with Matts being a more bespoke product made from an entirely different material to original hoods.
The products supplied by ECAS are close to the original ribbed hoods. They last a long time if looked after [personal experience] and are a good price.

I have no vested interest in either company though I do know Matt and Roy. {though Roy isn't very fond of me, I know not why}

I have seen a Matts one and it did look the cats pyjamas, when I rang about having one made though the waiting times were rather prohibitive.

I ended up getting one from that citroen place in glasgow that sometimes has them on ebay. I phoned, applied a bit of haggling, and managed to extract one for £95 as they had one which had some slightly darker marks on it from the factory (only visible up very close though).

So far as I can tell it is just like the old one, but without holes, and in generally a far far nicer condition. The holes for the rear studs were in the wrong place by about two centimeters, and it did get a small tear on each side resulting from this as I installed it. Moving the studs a centimeter down got the tension even for me, this shouldn't be a problem if you think more as you put it on.

The rear window appears slightly off centre by perhaps a centimeter or so.

Otherwise I can't fault it, it has been on for about two months and remained waterproof throughout, even during the monsoon we had last week.

If however you can wait I think a Matts one would be well worth the extra time and money.


A friend and I did make one up out of acrylic canvas and an old frame, its possible but a bit of a nightmare, I would recommend giving it a bash if you feel so inclined, and have a day free.

There are pros and cons to both.

Matts hoods will never shrink, there are loads of colour possibilities and Matt will make you a roof to order however you want it. They do, however, attract mould and light colours look dirty quickly. You have to re-proof them every so often and they are made from used parts. They also alter the appearance of the car.

Ecas/standard hoods are a similar price, but are easier to clean, remain waterproof and are made from all new parts. They will shrink and need changing every 6-7 years though.

The roof on my Red special has now been on 20 years! It was replaced when my dad bought the car at 4 years old - it was wearing it's original hood at that time & had shrunk & leaked like a sieve. The dealer that supplied the car agreed to replace & went to Citroen for a price (which IIRC retailed at around £170) & to a local coach trimmer:

http://www.langandpotter.com/ The dealer choose the coachtrimmer due to it working out cheaper than a genuine Citroen hood. Again the problem is that it was made using the original rear window, frame, front cross member & boot hinge piece. Luckily they were in good condition. Even now 20 years on the hood is immaculate both inside & out. It is completely waterproof & hasn't shrunk at all.

I have bought both a Dyane Roof and a 2CV roof from Ecas and they are both excellent for value for money and also quality. They have both fitted easily first time and neither have leaked and dont seem to suffer from shrinkage. I have had the 2CV one for around 3 years and, as it is never garaged, has suffered all that the UK weather can throw at it without showing any signs of distress.

im on my second new standard type hood both have got damp in the front corners which i stopped on the last one by running some clear silicon round the black end cap.the one on at the mo which is a couple of years old seems to get damp above the drivers side middle along the edge its almost like the glue has rotted the roof i found spraying tent water proofing stuff on keeps the damp out.If snowy is the car i think she is i like the strippy roof

I bought my green hood from ecas in April 2006. It's been fantastic. However, this year i've noticed that the coloring isn't what it was when comparing it to photos from a couple of summers ago, the grey glue seems to attack the roof itself so it's splitting at the edges. Also it's stretched a bit so in a side wind you get a characteristic whistling! I paid £120 in 06 and the car's covered 30,000 miles in that time and been kept on the road so I can't complain.

I would have a matt's roof but he doesnt do bamboo green

Not for much longer. Literally last week they had about 8 pallets of brand new metal work delivered.

Vested interest? No, but matt lets me park outside his house so I don't have to pay the extorionate council car park rates on work days

ime, nothing comes close to a Matts hood. They're awesome quality, look good - if your car is anywhere near authentic - and cheap at the price.

Thanks for the advice, chaps. I'd like to get a Matt's Soft Top. Perhaps I'll go and have a look down the sofa and see if I can rustle up enough sheckles...