TR2/3/3A TR3 Hardtop mounting brackets

I removed the rear capping on my 3A to smooth them out and recover with new vinyl.

I have a hardtop that I want to redo this summer so I want to go ahead and install a hardtop mounting kit. There are five brackets that sandwich in with screws threaded into a bottom plate around the capping through existing pairs of holes.

On each side, the two side brackets fit underneath the aluminum capping and will require a hole drilled through the capping for the securing bolt. The chrome finisher fits over the capping. But the capping along the rear is narower so the bracket is to the inside of the rear capping piece and the finsher is too wide to fit the narrow rear.

So does anyone have a picture of their setup with the details of the 3 rear brackets? I'll admit I haven't loooked in Piggott yet but that's next.

Peter: if memory serves, TRF have hardware kits available and there is an illustration in one of their catalogs.

good luck

Are you sure the brackets (what the Bentley calls a "bridge piece") aren't already there, under the capping pieces ? I think the factory installed the brackets on later cars, just didn't put the hole through the capping (or the chrome trims around the holes). As noted, there were two different trims, (2) wider ones on the side and (3) narrower ones along the back.

Not sure I understand your comment about the bracket being inside the rear capping ... the capping still hides the bracket from view.

Don't forget you'll also need to drill the windscreen frame, and cut the sealing rubber, to mount the brackets there.

PeterK said:

But the capping along the rear is narower so the bracket is to the inside of the rear capping piece and the finsher is too wide to fit the narrow rear.

So does anyone have a picture of their setup with the details of the 3 rear brackets? I'll admit I haven't loooked in Piggott yet but that's next.

Click to expand...

There are two different size chrome protective capping pieces, two (2) larger for the sides and three (3) narrow one on the rear. I would have taken a picture but I just put the hardtop on. We getting the car ready for St. Augustine, Fl for two weeks.

Hi Randall,

The bridge piece(s) are what I am installing. In the diagram they look like a small tab. But they are actually a bracket bolted on to the inside of the body surround. My hardware kit contains 5 bridge pieces w/mount plates and 5 protection plates. Plus all the hardware.

On the sides, the brige pieces fit under the capping without interference, because the capping is much wider on the side pieces. (actually, I had to remove a wooden piece at the back of the b-pillar just behind the dogleg to mount eh bridge piece)

But the capping is much narrower on the rear capping section and the bridge pieces won't quite fit inside of it.

The chrome protection plates also fit the side capping OK. But on the rear they are twice the width of the rear capping and would hang over the finished capping.

Maybe my solution would be to rechape the rear capping to open up the curved lip. Make it just wide enough to accept the bridge pieces and protection plates. I suspect that my rear section might be a homemade cappping piece.

Does anyone have a spare rear capping piece(or 3pc set) for the rear to sell?

Still also like to see a picture if anyone has one.

Thanks Russ,

That helps. But all 5 of mine are the same size so I must have the wrong year kit (maybe?)

Have a great trip down to FLA!

I see what your saying, the bridge pieces are all the same. It's been 5 or 6 years since I install the hardware and I don't remember haveing a problem with them fitting. I can't remember the year of you car, there may be a diffrence there.

Duh!!!
PeterK
1958 TR3A 1966 TR4A
Well I would think they would be the same, how much body work has you car had!

PeterK said:

But all 5 of mine are the same size so I must have the wrong year kit (maybe?)

Click to expand...

Don't think so ... just wrong parts

I see Moss lists 2 different sizes - one number for the 2 sides and one for the 3 rear. My hardware kit must have the wrong plates. Bummer.

But I'll have to spread out the rear piece regardless. At least it's aluminum so it's easier to hammer.

The body looks untouched, just the capping that's a little tight.

PeterK said:

Still also like to see a picture if anyone has one.

Click to expand...

Here's some pix, Peter.... hope they help!

Thanks for the pix, Kevin.

What is the width of your rear capping? It looks like the rear protection plate is angled forwards instead of level like the sides. True?

Peter on the rear capping mine are also angled forward like Kevin's.

First thing I need to do is to get the capping shape correct. I'm going to rework it today and see if that helps.