BN1 / BN2 Top Installation

[TodE]

I am replacing the top on my 1955 BN-1. It seems pretty straight forward, all but the stappleing the top to the wood header rail. I read Moss note in there catalog stating that the top installation should be done by a professional shop with Austin Healey experience? Am I missing something?
I did a search on BN1 top installation, but did not come up with anything. I looked on Healey 6 website, all they had were the differences in the BN1 bows and how they erect.
Did Rich Chrysler post anything anywhere?


Thank you

 

[TodE]

OK 40 views with no comments? How about pictures of the installation progression.

Thanks once again!

 

[Randy Forbes]

I've done all the other Healey tops, including a Spridget, but never one for a 100, so I can't offer much specific help there, but generally speaking...

The tops are not hard to do, just a close attention to details. Look REAL GOOD, including numerous pictures of what you're taking apart, even if it only resembles a top (torn to shreds) because that's how you need to put it back together!

NUMBER ONE: avoid the instinct to stretch the top too tightly, as it will definitely shrink in the sun; you want to pull all the wrinkles out, and not be *baggy* but not so tight that when you bounce a quarter on it, it goes into orbit!

I highly recommend that you buy (or rent) a pneumatic staple gun with the long-reach neck on it. You'll appreciate having it, and so will the thumbs you don't hit with a tack-hammer! Visit an upholstery store's website to see what's available. You need the long-nose to accurately get inside the "hideum" strip. I have one that looks similar to this one:

Not much else I can say about it; look at a few online tutorials, even for a variety of different cars, and take what you've learned and apply it to your 100. Here's the link to a BJ8 top I did a few years ago (and it had been a very long time since I had done anything as simple as an MGB top, and that was my first on a BJ8): https://spcarsplus.com/gallery3/index.php/reMKIII/top_work

Good luck! Take lots of pictures, so the next guy will benefit from what you've learned!

 

[TodE]

Randy, thank you for your help. What length staples did you use?