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bugimike
Yoda
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Interesting that in both those links posted above, when one clicks on AH Sprite, it goes directly to a promo for the MGB top. How does one view a Sprite top on their site?
BTW, I have a brand-new-in-the-box top that I ordered for my BE but is totally wrong along the windscreen (leading) edge. I will post pictures in the hopes that with help from here I can identify what year(s) it will fit. It looks to me to be for a roll-up window car! The "flap" across the leading edge is padded!
PS: Once I ID what it fits, I plan to put it on ebay, but anyone on BCF who may want it can have first dibs!
BTW, I have a brand-new-in-the-box top that I ordered for my BE but is totally wrong along the windscreen (leading) edge. I will post pictures in the hopes that with help from here I can identify what year(s) it will fit. It looks to me to be for a roll-up window car! The "flap" across the leading edge is padded!
PS: Once I ID what it fits, I plan to put it on ebay, but anyone on BCF who may want it can have first dibs!
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Trevor Jessie
Yoda
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Mike, Does the rear have the pocket for the metal bar?
OP
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<span style="font-style: italic">It helps to have an assistant or two..
</span>
The primary reason why I was hoping to find a top with the fasteners already installed. I don't have much help here- girl and I work odd hours- bad enough that we barely see each other.
I'm pretty much my own show. And I still haven't been able to get the steering wheel off!
</span>
The primary reason why I was hoping to find a top with the fasteners already installed. I don't have much help here- girl and I work odd hours- bad enough that we barely see each other.
I'm pretty much my own show. And I still haven't been able to get the steering wheel off!
Trevor Jessie
Yoda
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Mike, I'm not sure what that fits. :crazy:
leecreek
Jedi Warrior
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When ever you get a top that might be right, make a quick measurement from the seam at the top of the rear bow to the 2 seams that dart in from the drivers side and the passengers side for the front bow. That is where mine is wrong and they don't want to talk about it. Over 1" difference from one side to the other. I do like the zip down rear window. My brother made a bag for the window to try to keep it in good condition.
bugimike
Yoda
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Well, Jack, I KNOW it is <span style="text-decoration: underline">supposed</span> to be for a Spridget (and my original order was for a '59 Sprite!), and 90% of it looks correct but it is almost as if they mixed up the patterns front to rear, the rear being for an early type car with the flat "bar" running through it and the front for a newer model that clamps to the top of the windscreen!! I may just wind up showing it and my old top to my boat-canvas guy and seeing what he can do to remedy things! It is a nicely made top even if it doen't fit anything!! 
OP
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I followed up on Rick and Duncan's advice from some PM's and went with the Haartz top from topsonline. $179.
The woman over the phone told me the tenax's were not installed, but when I got it, the tenax fasteners were already in place. The fasteners did line up.
I had no issues with the fitting the top over the header bar. I used a couple of small c-clamps to hold the front portion of the top in place once I had the top fitting where I wanted it prior to riveting. It was pretty much "plug and play"- one guy can do it- "it ain't no rocket science."
A 90 degree day with the sun bearing down helped quite a bit also in getting the fabric to be cooperative.
I thought I was getting something similar to Duncan's top, however I am satisfied with this top. It's a good material and fits very well.
The woman over the phone told me the tenax's were not installed, but when I got it, the tenax fasteners were already in place. The fasteners did line up.
I had no issues with the fitting the top over the header bar. I used a couple of small c-clamps to hold the front portion of the top in place once I had the top fitting where I wanted it prior to riveting. It was pretty much "plug and play"- one guy can do it- "it ain't no rocket science."
A 90 degree day with the sun bearing down helped quite a bit also in getting the fabric to be cooperative.
I thought I was getting something similar to Duncan's top, however I am satisfied with this top. It's a good material and fits very well.
tosoutherncars
Jedi Knight
Offline
Looks great!!
No, I got the Haartz fabric (looks like canvas) rather than the vinyl. I'll try to post a pic, so you can see the difference...
No, I got the Haartz fabric (looks like canvas) rather than the vinyl. I'll try to post a pic, so you can see the difference...
OP
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thats what I told her I wanted on the phone (Haartz), and I got the vinyl material instead.
Everything was stacked up in my favor the day I got the top- sunny and hot, and an afternoon of no work. I wouldn't have wanted to try putting it on in cool weather- I lived in Washington State so I know what the weather is like there, although I would rather prefer that weather than the garbage we get here.
I do have one small gripe with this top- there's a gap on both sides where the top meets the body, behind the door (looks like you have that too from looking at your pic, Duncan) Not much of one, but it would have been nicer had the material extended down about a 1/4" longer. Otherwise, good to go.
Everything was stacked up in my favor the day I got the top- sunny and hot, and an afternoon of no work. I wouldn't have wanted to try putting it on in cool weather- I lived in Washington State so I know what the weather is like there, although I would rather prefer that weather than the garbage we get here.
I do have one small gripe with this top- there's a gap on both sides where the top meets the body, behind the door (looks like you have that too from looking at your pic, Duncan) Not much of one, but it would have been nicer had the material extended down about a 1/4" longer. Otherwise, good to go.
tosoutherncars
Jedi Knight
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Yup, I had the same problem. I wonder if putting another Tenax about 1" from the front corner would help...
bill_powell
Jedi Trainee
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regularman said:
While I do not know if this is an issue with Midgets, I do know that with my old Fiat and then with my Miata the main reason for the zip-out rear window was so that you could fold down the top without having to bend the rear window.
The rear window on both of those particular cars are well known to crack over time from the bending. Some tops have a zip-down rear window, as opposed to the zip-out. Keep in mind that the zip-out windows can be replaced without having to replace the entire top (or cutting out the window and gluing in a new one. I did that on the Miata. Turned out okay, but a real PITA).
OP
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bill_powell said:
Hmmm. Yeah. Although I doubt if Prestige will sell only the window..Rick?
Good point about not folding the rear window. My top split in three places last winter when I had to roll the vehicle outside into 15 degree weather last winter. Had I thought about this, I probably would have bought the Prestige zipper window top.
Trevor Jessie
Yoda
Offline
In a spridget, I think the main reason to use a zipout window is for days when the sun is beating down on your neck and you have to be in the car for hours at a time. The zip out rear window allows better air flow while providing cover from the rays of the sun.