BN-2 top Installation question

[roscoe]

I'm in the process of installing a vynl top. I had a wood worker friend cut me a new header piece out of maple and I've got the frame and latches working well. I have the old top and I can see how it was installed, but the "hide-em" strip that goes in front was torn off. My problem is that in all of the Healey books I have plus Norman Knock's detail photos, and a whole CD of photos showing some BN-2 restorations, there is not a good close-up of the way the top wraps around the forward frame member. The old top has a separate piece of vynl that was glued and stapled, to cover only the wood header, the wood was then screwed onto the "L" shaped forward frame member. Then the top was pulled forward over the vynl wraped wood, and stapled to the wood along the bottom forward edge of the bow. I assume the hide-em strip was attached so it covered the staples attaching the top to the wood. This left the "L" shaped metal frame member exposed along where it meets the wind screen frame, and required that the very bottom edge of the wood be used to hold the staples (where most of them had split the wood on the old piece). If anyone can post a description or some photos of this area from the inside and outside I'd be most grateful. The top need not be up, in fact it might be better if it is not. I'm hoping that Dave R. has not gone anywhere for Thanksgiving yet. Once again, thank you all and have a safe holiday.

Jon Robbins
1956 BN-2

 

[Dave Russell]

Hi Jon,
This is not so easy to explain. Attached is partial info from the Anderson-Moment book. You can also look at the Moss Motors page here:
https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=36379

I'm just trying out a new scanner so I don't know if the attached scans will be readable. If nothing else, I could email better copies to you. Let me know if you need them. Darned new scanner & photo software make getting a good jpg a bit difficult for me.

You are generally correct. The wood bow is wrapped separately, then the straps are attached to the bow. The top is then tacked to the wood low enough to cover the metal top frame. The Hide-em strip is opened up & the tacks put through it's center. Before the tacking is completed, the side flaps are wrapped around to overlap the front & tacked. A weather strip is glued to the bottom of the bow.

Note in the attached: chrome end finishers on the Hide-Em strip, how the sides are wrapped around the front, & the triangular tabs on the back side of the bow. Also note about how the two front to rear webbing pieces are attached to the rear bow.

I have a top right here in front of me, but it's still hard to describe.

Best to you,
Dave

PS - I got a pic of my top. the wood goes behind the metal frame with bottom flush. The header wrap vinyl is anchored at the front, next the two front to rear straps are anchored over the vinyl wrap.

The wrap goes completely around the wood & metal front frame back to where it starts. Now the metal is completely covered.

Next, the top is attached to the front of the wood/vinyl wrap as above. Last, the top hold down toggles are attached over the top of the folded sides & the top material.
D

 

[roscoe]

Thanks Dave,
I'm not sure if the top I have is original for my car. I suspect that when I get to it, between the literature, your description, and my old top I'll install it in the way that appears to make the cleanest fastening. After all the time I have spent on this project I fully realize the value of having the car be assembled, rather than in boxes at the start.

Jon