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calling any BN2 owners- room for top behind seats?

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bighealeysource

bighealeysource

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Hey all,
Working on a BN2 interior and got a couple of questions

1. I'm 6 foot tall and have the seat all the way back so I can fit okay and have had the top off with the work I am doing on the interior. SO put it back on today and was wondering, will I be able to have the seat all the way back with the top folded up behind the seats ? I had a BN1 and recall that was an issue and believe no difference in the top placement between a BN1 and BN2.

2. Similar question, with top folded down, will it clear the spare tire sleeve with the spare inserted into it ?

I know everything should fit but sure looks like I will have to have the seat moved forward to provide the room.
Thanks,
Mike
 
Mike,

On my BN1 - it's all very tight. I have the seat all the way back, the seat back just hits the frame when it's stored. It does clear the tire when it's in the stored location, just not a lot of extra room to work with.

Hope that helps,I attached a pic as well.

Regards,
Michael.
 

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My BN1 was similar to Michaels with the seats all the way back the top frame was at or near touching the to back of the seats. Where the spare tire cover and the top meet is below where the frame settles to so it is all soft material and I did not have any problems, but it is tight, at 6 feet I also hit the roof of the car with the top up, I had the seat foam cut (re-done seats, may have been thicker than stock) down a little and put thinner wooden slats under the seat slides, then I only hit my head when I went over a big bump!

Solution was to drive with the top up as little as possible, they are not much fun with the limited visibility and the side curtains rattling around anyway.
 
I have decided NOT to install my soft top brackets on my 100 Le mans because I do not want to loose any space as I am over 6'. Also the car LOOKS better without the top smashed behind the seats!


If it rains I drive fast and use a tonneau cover.

Pete
 
Well I'm 5'8" (and apparently getting shorter) and I have scuffed leather on the back of both of my seats from the folded top. I know that the last time I spoke with Norman Knock at the All British show in Woodland, CA he hauled me over to look at the cover he had made for his folded top that kept it snug ( a great idea if you don't mind adding ANOTHER 5 minutes to the top up /top down polka). I figure it's a feature, and I get a little smile when I see the same spots on other BN1 and BN2 cars that have blemishes where mine does. The reason my interior is not, shall we say, "show quality", is that by the time I finished it I had already had a few "OH #$%^!!" moments with it so I just figured perhaps it is someone else's problem if it is not perfect, but it isn't going to be mine. I like the top available because in the Sacramento Valley I use it to keep the sun off me more than the rain.
 
Thanks y'all for your comments ! That's exactly how I recalled it on my BN1 and figured it must be the same on this BN2. I didn't install the top on the BN1, took Pete's approach - avoid rain or drive faster to outrun the drops. But think I will install it on my BN2. The backs of the seats are already a bit scuffed from the top and not planning on replacing those leather covers so back on it goes ! The former owner did not use the spare tire sleeve so I replaced the rear tonneau and boot armacord with the correct red versus carpet and black armacord he had installed to be as correct as possible.
Many thanks,
Mike
 
Mike,
I have cycled my top in and out several times on my BN2. Seems the best solution is to drive without it installed. It's too claustrophobic with it up anyway!
Kip
 
Lister's,

I have exactly what you need. We have created a bracket that will allow 100 owners to remove their bows and tops just like the six-cylinder roadsters. You simply remove your bows and bolt my bracket in their place. Then you can remove and replace your top in about three minutes.

These brackets are machined out of 7075 T6 aluminum (aircraft grade) and all fittings are stainless steel so they will never rust. They can be painted, polished, powder coated or chromed.

With your top removed you will gain 1 to 1 1/2" of leg room. You'll never again have to worry about wearing through your seat squab or tonneau cover when they hit the top bar. You can now hang your top up in storage so the fragile plastic window will never get creased or discolored.

There were three types of bows made for the 100's. These brackets will only fit the last style with the ~1" slot in the base of the bows.

I have never had a complaint with these brackets, only rave reviews. Please contact me with any questions or how to buy.

Thank you,

Bill Barnett
bn1@pacbell.net
'53 BN1 #663
'61 BT7
 
Hi Kip,

I'm not very used to this Forum and don't seem to be able to post any pictures.

Could you please contact me off list and I'll be able to send you the pics and information you are requesting.

My e-mail address is: bn1@pacbell.net

Many THX,

Bill
 
Pete & all,

I believe I have finally figured out how to add a picture to my reply. At least I'm going to give it a shot. If it doesn't come through, please contact me by e-mail for this pic and several others.

The picture shows the later style bows which will fit into my bracket. It also shows an installed bracket.

Removing the clip allows the bows to be slipped in and out with ease. It's kind of like having your cake and eat it too. All around home, leave the top off and stored safely. If you're going on a trip or anticipate nasty weather, slip the top back on.

Again, please contact me off list for more information if you are interested. Thank you.

Bill Barnett
bn1@pacbell.net
 

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I love the idea:

The top frame is restored along with a new top etc.......did not want to put it on and lose the room..


Problem:

My car is a BN-1 ..do not have the "slide "pivot although everything also looks the same..Why would mine not work???

Pete
 
Had the Hood/Top put on - thought I would share a pic....
 

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Pete,

I've spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on these brackets. Believe me yours won't work. Please send me your e-mail address and I will explain why with pictures. If you have the very first type, I might be able to get my machinist to make one of those for you at additional cost. (I have that first style.)It would be even better if you would e-mail me a picture of your bows.

Thanks,

Bill Barnett
bn1@pacbell.net
 
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