MGB Introduction and MGB rollbar/tonneau question

[R6MGS]

Firstly I's like to introduce myself.. Iam 15 years old and live in Toronto Canada. We own a total of 6 British cars and numerous other American muscle cars. My dad has had his 58 MGB since he was 14 and has owned over 60 British sports car. He bought me my 78 MGB when I was 5 and thats how I got into the hobby. We are always looking to expand our collection so if you've got a car 4 sale please feel free to contact us....please see the website in my sig for pics and info on our cars.

Ok, My first question is....I've recently purchased a rollbar for my 78 MGB. Iam aware that it will not work with a tonneau cover but was wondering if it is possible to modify the tonneau to fit with the rollbar???has anyone done this???
Regards
Zack

 

[R6MGS]

My B:

ooops there is no website in my sig lol....here it is anyway... https://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/284243/1

Also please lemme know if you can see the pic above or not(havin puter troubles)

 

[Guinn]

Sorry, I see no picture. Wow! I had to wait until I was 79 to get my 78B! Of course I had a 52 TD in 1953. Great car.

 

[Steve_S]

Welcome, Zack! I got my '65 B when I was 16 and I still have it now, 16 years later! I hope you enjoy your car as much as I've enjoyed mine. I assume you meant MGA when you mentioned the '58. MGBs didn't come around until '62. MGAs are beautiful cars. I hope your dad lets you drive it now and then!

As far as the tonneau, yes it can be modified. I've seen it done but there is no standard way to do it since rollbars vary between makes and models. The best way to do it is to see a local upholstery specialist who can cut the material around the side bars and stitch a nice strong edging there. If the bar is close to the edge of the car you can simply leave it open on the edge of the tonneau. If the bar is more than a couple inches from the edge you can have a snap installed to seal it up better. Good luck!

 

[Sledgehammer]

I've got a roll bar and a tonneau cover. I bought it this way from the previous owner. As Steve pointed out, mine has re-inforced stitching around the cut-out for the bar and the is a small split that snaps around the bar.

 

[Bugeye58]

Zack, first of all, let me welcome you to our forum. You'll find nothing here but enthusiam and encouragement for your love of LBC's.
As far as the tonneau cover vs roll bar issue goes, every installation is different, so your best bet would be to have it looked at by someone locally, to see what would be the easiest, most economical way to deal with it. Believe it or not, I have seen it when it was cheaper to have a new tonneau made that to have an existing one fitted around a roll bar.
I know that we have several members here from your area, so someone should be jumping in shortly with some advice.
Once again, welcome.
Jeff

 

[EMGEBE]

Hey dude.

Good to see some young guys in here, starting to feel a bit outta place /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

This is mine, its a custom job.

Cheers
Jarrod

 

[Bugeye58]

[ QUOTE ]
your best bet would be to have it looked at by someone locally

[/ QUOTE ]
Gee, Jarrod, I thought maybe one of the gang from Toronto would respond!!
Nice job on your tonneau, by the way. Someone either takes pride in their work, or charged you through the snout!
Jeff

 

[Basil]

Jarrod, nice job on the tonneau. Is the slit that runs out to the edge zippered, or does it use velcro, or....?

Basil

 

[EMGEBE]

Cheers.

Its just velcro'd

 

[R6MGS]

Thanks for all the help and pics guys.... I know alotta people out here that should be able to do something like that with the rollbar, I'll keep the pics for reference....anyone have the 1/4 tonneau done like this????and yes I did mean MGA when I refered to the "58" I'll try again with the pic....Iam not sure if it's just the way Iam doing it or my computer thats messin the pics up.

Regards
Zack

 

[R6MGS]

OK I think I got the pics working ....finally lemme know if you can see it..(btw. Thats my dads MGA)

Zack

 

[EMGEBE]

MAN!
That MGA is so gangsta
Love the white walls.
I'd love to whack a set on my B

How do whitewalls go with perfromance driving?
they dont roll off like hub caps do they?

 

[R6MGS]

Whitewalls are great for an MGA but Iam not to sure about a B......They hardly see any driving so I can't help ya on the performance of em`. They are Firestone and are available at most Firestone outlets thats about all I know.

 

[Steve_S]

Whitewalls are painted on the tire, they don't fall off! I seriously doubt there are any high-performance tires offered in this day and age. Even back in the day they were more for cruisers than high-performance cars.

 

[R6MGS]

Not sure what you ment by "painted" but they definatly can't fall off there molded right into the tire rubber.

 

[Steve_S]

Yeah, molded, painted, same thing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Simon TR4a]

Welcome Zack! I am a Triumph guy from Newmarket, just up the 400 highway. (Sorry to intrude on the MG board.)
There is an upholstery and trim shop in the west end of Toronto that can make a special tonneau for you like Jarrod's, or modify your own.I think it is off Steeles Avenue, John Kokal is the man's name, I can't remember the contact details but will get back to you tomorrow.
Roll bars are a mixed blessing for road cars, if low enough to allow use of the soft top they give little protection, and if unpaded, like Jarrod's, they present a danger if your car is rear ended, (your head snaps back and hits the bar), so think this through!
Sorry for the negative tone of the post, but Safety Fast as they say!
Simon.

 

[R6MGS]

Thanks for the recommendation I acually think I might have heard of him before... Please do post the contact info...Thanks.
It is the kind that allows the top to fit over it but I really don't care about protection, I just like the look I also don't like the look of padding so I guess I'll have to watch for rear-enders lol.
Another question I got is: does the factory hardtop(I have one of those for the car as well) fit over the rollbar as well???I think it should if the softop fits.

Zack

 

[EMGEBE]

Well providing that your rollbar isnt one of those massive competition type ones that stick up as high as your car is long, then yeh it should fit under the soft-top.
I dunno about the factory hardtop

Ive gotta aftermarket hardie manufactured in South Australia and it fits no worries /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif