Australian? 100 Hardtop - photo's.

[healey_100_s]

Hi all, following the recent interest in this forum regarding hardtops, I dont know what type of hardtop I have??
It doesn't appear to be of the type shown in earlier postings and I am sure it is not of the "Universal brand " Healey top. Anyone recognise what it might be? I fitted the "works" vent and redone all the interior lining, (non standard items). I purchased the hardtop years ago in country Victoria (Australia) as part of a deceased estate and hence no history on it. See the first of 4 attachments above (exterior photo) .

Dimitri
Austin Healey Owners Club of South Australia

 

[healey_100_s]

Re: 100 Hardtop Australia

Second of 4 attachments (interior photo).

 

[healey_100_s]

Re: 100 Hardtop Australia

Third of 4 attachments (exterior photo - vent open).

 

[healey_100_s]

Re: 100 Hardtop Australia

Last attachment ( interior)

 

[Michael Oritt]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi all, following the recent interest in this forum regarding hardtops, I dont know what type of hardtop I have??
It doesn't appear to be of the type shown in earlier postings and I am sure it is not of the "Universal brand " Healey top. Anyone recognise what it might be? I fitted the "works" vent and redone all the interior lining, (non standard items). I purchased the hardtop years ago in country Victoria (Australia) as part of a deceased estate and hence no history on it. See the first of 4 attachments above (exterior photo) .

Dimitri
Austin Healey Owners Club of South Australia

[/ QUOTE ]

Dimitri--

A handsome top indeed. Except for the new NICAL I don't know of any other top made for the 100 other than the Universal Laminations brand (though I did once see a picture of a clear plastic one) and I would not be so sure that yours is not a UL as it has the general line of one, though it is hard to tell without more pictures. The UL came in at least two rear window configurations and some say two side-curtain configurations as well. There was a fairly good article on them in a recent version of AHCUSA magazine.

A friend of mine, Charlie Braum, owns two UL tops and were you to send him pictures of yours he might be able to give you a more definitive opinion on the source of your top. His email address is: cbaustin@verizon.net and please tell him hello for me.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Dimitri--

There's one more possible source--a company in Pennsylvania called "Smoothline" (www.smoothline.com). If you visit their website you'll see a number of pictures of Healey hardtops. Though none is shown for a 100 they may have made one and that would be worth exploring.

BTW I'd appreciate seeing a picture of your top from a more side-on shot as it is hard to read the roof's curve with the reflections.

 

[Dave Russell]

I have attached a photo of one of Charlie B's hardtops. He calls it a "Plastic Dynamics" top. Note that it is more tapered in back & uses original profile side curtains. Much as Dimitri's pics. I have seen pics of very similar tops that use the original BN1 - BN2 type front latches. I don't see them in this pic.
D

 

[Michael Oritt]

[ QUOTE ]
I have attached a photo of one of Charlie B's hardtops. He calls it a "Plastic Dynamics" top. Note that it is more tapered in back & uses original profile side curtains. Much as Dimitri's pics. I have seen pics of very similar tops that use the original BN1 - BN2 type front latches. I don't see them in this pic.
D

Dave--

That's really interesting because while Charlie and I have talked about hardtops alot over the years I always assumed that both of his were UL's. But this explains why Charlie's brown top shown has a built-in air vent (not shown) just above the rear window--At https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/top/top123b.htm you can see a Plastics Dynamics MGA top that is very similar in appearance. There's also reference to Parrish Plastics tops on that site, another period manufacturer though perhaps not for 100's.

The plot thickens....

 

[Dave Russell]

Here is a rear view of Charlie's car showing the vent. It seems to match the MG top except for the aluminum framed side windows & the window shapes.
D

 

[healey_100_s]

Hi all,
I have attached a photo ( side on ) to read the roof line a little better. Yes it did keep out most of the rain today!
Thank you to all for the nice comments. I will be following up the contacts provided.

regards

Dimitri