Umbrella holder for MK3 hatch

This is a simple and quick idea that will allow you to keep a large umbrella safety and securely in the boot of your MK3 Mondeo hatchback.

The umbrella is secured to the underside of the hatch with elastic straps, yet is still easy to store or remove, and will not come lose or rattle when driving.

Umbrella secured to underside of hatch.

This modification should only take about ten minutes, and the total cost to me was approximately £1.

Materials needed:

1 metre of 3mm diameter black elastic cord 2 cord locks suitable for 3mm elastic

Tools required:

Scissors tape measure or rule cigarette lighter or blowlamp

I cut the 3mm elastic into two 460mm lengths. I folded each length in half, and then tied a looped knot about 10-15mm from this point, so there was a loop and knot and one end and two free ends at the other.

I then took the cord locks and threaded one onto each of the elastics.

Next, I took the two free ends of each piece of elastic and measured 70mm down them, and tied a reef knot at this point. When working with elastic always pull reef knots very tight, or they may come undone again later.

The next step is to remove your parcel shelf from the car. To do this, undo the two securing strings by pulling their top ends inwards, and releasing them from the round headed poppers on the hatchback. You can now pull the whole parcel shelf rearwards, which will disengage the two black plastic lugs holding it in place.

I then laid the parcel shelf upside down on the floor. The black plastic lugs that hold the shelf to the car will not only rotate, but can slide off from the parcel shelf. It is important that you keep the black plastic lugs in their correct position for the next step.

I then tied one of the elastic sections to each of the lugs on the parcel shelf. It is important to keep the knot around the lug, and not let it slip in between the lug and the assembly it sits around, or the parcel shelf will not fit properly in the car.

Once I was happy with my knots I trimmed the remaining elastic, and sealed the 'raw' ends with a cigarette lighter to stop them fraying, or coming undone.

I next put the parcel shelf back into the car, and fitted the umbrella into the elastic straps. My umbrella is wider than the parcel shelf, and fits snugly under the parcel shelf with its ends either side of the parcel shelf support mouldings. This arrangement does not stop the parcel shelf opening, but does stop the umbrella from moving while the car is driving.

operation

Although this may be quite obvious, I'll add it anyway.

The remove the umbrella from the car, squeeze the cord locks and pull then downwards.

To stow the umbrella, place your umbrella in between the loops of elastic at either side, and then squeeze the the cord lock and slide it up the elastic loop until it is a tight fit. Repeat this at the other side and your umbrella is secure.