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Posted by CherylK

MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Classic British Car Restoration Parts & Accessories

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Re: Topless #21
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, Louisiana, USA	Posted: June 17, 2012 12:43PM Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 18,685

The canvas tops look great BUT they seem to attract and hold all kinds of trash. You will be constantly trying to clean the white hair and specs off. For a daily driver I'd go with the vinyl instead. A zip out back and three window are both musts. Make sure whomever installs it leaves a bit of room for it to shrink come cold weather. Don't expect it to be weather/rain proof, either. Our cars are notorious for leaking-part of their personality that we learn to live with

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Re: Topless #22
Winston Shift Right David Crosby Lone Tree, Colorado, USA 1953 MG TD "Martha Ann" 1980 MG MGB	Posted: June 17, 2012 04:57PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 436

Welcome Ceryl. What side of town do you live on? I used to have a 66' with the erecter set frame. It was a challenge when a storm showed up. The folding frame on my 80' B is a little faster and less tidious trying to put the tubes together when you are in a rush. I have always thought about going to an upholstery shop to see if they could make a better tonneau cover that wouldn't leak in the middle zipper area or modify the original one.

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Re: Topless #23
chris Chris Roop Pendleton, OR, USA	Posted: June 17, 2012 05:13PM Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 30,344

I've had 3 Robbins vinyl tops installed in the last 6 months. There is no falling off of quality on the ones that I got. They continue to be the best value around IMHO.
Michellotti frames (the black folding frames) used to routinely be sold for $50 until I needed one.
Like the other folks, I'd suggest the zip out rear window. That way, you can have the top up in blazing desert sun, all windows down, and enjoy almost the complete topless experience. Those hardtops do make your car year round usable.

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Re: Topless #24
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, Louisiana, USA	Posted: June 17, 2012 05:35PM Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 18,685

The gray cab cover works pretty well if the car is parked. It will handle some wind but not a lot. I used to use mine more than the full tonneau

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Re: Topless #25
Red Roadster Iain Trainor Perth, Western Australia, Australia 1969 MG MGB "The B" 1999 MG MGF "The Lad" 2009 Nissan X-Trail	Posted: June 17, 2012 09:11PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 142

check out SCParts.co.uk They have free shipping at the moment and prices are significanly less than Moss. Email ask for Monty

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Re: Topless #26
turtlemoon64 jeannette solomon stockton, nj, USA	Posted: June 17, 2012 09:21PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 53

Soft top is nice,,,make sure it is designed to hing fold down...the one I have on my recently purchased 67 has a bar that slips into a stable fitting,,,so it is not as convenient as the last 67 rag top I owned...that rag folded down easily...everything was hinged...great...and easy to drop the top from the drivers seat or pull it up quick. j

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Re: Topless #27
angliagt Doug Milota Eureka,California, USA 1967 MG MGB GT ""The MG""	Posted: June 18, 2012 12:19AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 1,730

We were in Denver (Arvada/Westminster) a few years
back visiting our Son.I was amazed that it would be warm &-
sunny until about 2PM,when it would pour down rain for
30-45 minutes,so I see your need for a top.
Does it still rain like that?

- Doug

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Re: Topless #28
Peter-Sherman Peter Sherman Melbourne, Australia 1975 MG MGB V8 Conversion	Posted: June 18, 2012 03:35AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 4,375

Hi Cheryl,
I'd suggest that you go with this "RV8" style of top. I have had a similar one on my daily driver MGB for about 8 years.

http://www.prestigeautotops.com/acatalog/MGB_1971-80_Cabriolet_Top.html.

The big advantage of leaving out the corner windows is that you can drop the top or put it back up again in less than 10 seconds, from the drivers seat. Often at a traffic light stop. Melbourne is renowned for its changeable weather and if I had the corner window top I would do way less topless motoring.
If you have corner windows you have to get out of the car and unclip the rear of the roof and fold it to ovoid damaging and eventually cracking or ripping the windows. They will last about 4 to 6 months if you don't bother unclipping, as I did with the corner window top that came with the car. All that folding and flexing takes its toll. You will not see corner windows on any modern convertible for this very reason. Plus I quite like the look.

The fold back frame can got second hand and the later (1971 to 1980) frames will fit the earlier car. The later fold back frames have a slightly different roof/profile to the earlier packaway (take apart and put in boot) frames, so be sure to order the right one.

I would be seeking a second hand frame as a coat of black paint will make it as new. As well as the frame you need the front armature. Sometimes called (or confused with) the front bow. The front armature is the part that roof material attaches to and has clips and rubber seal etc to attach to windscreen.

A zip down rear centre window is almost a must. On really hot summer afternoons you can zip it down and get the air flow without being burnt fluorescent lobster red by the afternoon sun.

I would not bother with the prestige lining option. Can't see the point, and it is expensive. Some people like it.
Like many of the others I prefer vinyl as it is tough , doesn't fade or shrink and is significantly less expensive.

It is not hard to fit a new top to a frame. You will need a tin of contact adhesive, a piece of chalk, some rubber gloves, a drill, some 1/8" aluminium rivets and a rivet gun. Takes about 2-3 hours.

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Re: Topless #29
CherylK Cheryl K Denver, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 08:40AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 17

Hi Peter, thank you for a very informative reply!

When you say "front armature" are you referring to what is also called the "header bar"? If so, I think I've located a used black folding frame, header rail, & stiffener bar for $100. Seems like a decent price. Also, since it is black (vs gray) I assume that means it is ca. 71-80.

I love the top you pointed me to. It was actually my first choice, but dropped to second due to the cost. But now that I have your insight about the corner windows, it is back to first.

Thanks again!
Cheryl

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Re: Topless #30
CherylK Cheryl K Denver, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 08:47AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 17

@ David...we live in SW Denver...Grant Ranch. Are you part of any MG clubs? I'd love to find out about meetups, drives, etc.

@ Doug...for the last few years the afternoon rainstorms had disappeared...but they are back this year! That's why I definitely need something that will go up fast!

I've attached 2 pics of my car...ground zero.

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Re: Topless #31
sethdude Seth Faucett St Louis, MO, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 08:52AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 79

I have all three tops (folding soft with zippered rear window, tonneau, and hard top). I have removed the soft top, and run the tonneau in the summer. For heavy rain, I will put the hard top on, as it takes all of three minutes (easier than the soft top). On really rainy days, I drive my other car (modern, sealed German).

If this is a daily driver, I'd go folding soft top. If you drive it on your own terms, the tonneau in summer/hard top in winter combo is pretty great.

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Re: Topless #32
Winston Shift Right David Crosby Lone Tree, Colorado, USA 1953 MG TD "Martha Ann" 1980 MG MGB	Posted: June 18, 2012 09:58AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 436

In reply to # 2096721 by CherylK @ David...we live in SW Denver...Grant Ranch. Are you part of any MG clubs? I'd love to find out about meetups, drives, etc.

@ Doug...for the last few years the afternoon rainstorms had disappeared...but they are back this year! That's why I definitely need something that will go up fast!

I've attached 2 pics of my car...ground zero.

http://mgcc.org/

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Re: Topless #33
RIRaven Dave Wilson Rhode Island, USA 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB	Posted: June 18, 2012 10:05AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 993

Cheryl, that's not an MGB, it's a Shelby Cobra!

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Re: Topless #34
CherylK Cheryl K Denver, USA	Posted: June 18, 2012 10:15AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 17

@Dave W...I Know Right!?!?!!! I'm hoping to paint her next year. I'm thinking primrose yellow. I'd like to do it now, but the top and a bumper take priority. Especially since I've been told that it's going to cost about $8k...

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Re: Topless #35
Peter-Sherman Peter Sherman Melbourne, Australia 1975 MG MGB V8 Conversion	Posted: June 18, 2012 11:09AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 4,375

some infp'
http://www.mossmotors.com/SiteGraphics/Pages/MGBTops/MGBtopbuyersguide.html

here is a link to a photo of a frame
http://www.obsoleteauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3_5&products_id=2297

note that, that, doesn't include the armature or (edit) what might be the header bar. People like to get you one foot in and then go "oh yes, now you will need one of these of these expensive things".
Here is a photo of mine, 8 years and 70 thousand kms old. I have the top down every chance. Armature is the bit with the clips on. Note the underside of the vinyl has faded from black. This is why I think mohair might fade. I've never had a mohair top, could be wrong. Suspicious however.
I'd buy a $100 frame and armatue/header bar in a second, different country however.
My top looks more like the upper image that I linked you, previous post Eight years ago was early days in RV8 style tops. I prefer the lower red top and that style will be the next one. Trouble is that the current one has to wear out first, seems to be hanging in there.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2012 11:14AM by Peter-Sherman.

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Re: Topless #36
200mph Mike J Lake Norman, NC, USA 1965 Ford Ranchero 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite 1967 MG MGB 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite 1974 MG MGB → more	Posted: June 18, 2012 11:12AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,009

Since I don't use my MGB as a daily driver, I get by with just a tonneau.

When it rains, I roll the windows up and stay pretty dry as long as I stay moving.

The right side of the tonneau stays on all the time unless I have a passenger. When I park the car, I usually zip up the left side also.

Tonneaus for early MGB's aren't expensive... try putting a WTB (wanted to buy) ad on this site's BST (buy-sell-trade) forum.

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