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Convertible tops

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Jarhead

Jarhead

Jedi Hopeful
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I would like to put a roll bar in my '77 but the fold down top prevents that. Has anyone ever put an older model stow away top on to replace the fold up model? Seems like a simple solution. A little expensive but simple.
 
I thought the typical MGB roll bars would work with any top. BTW the standard run-of-the mill roll bars that bolt to the flimsy rear deck are more for looks than for safety and would probably pull loose or bend the mount locations in a roll over. Never mind the fact that the height of the roll bar is lower than the height of your head. A real roll bar is bolted or welded to the frame and is taller than the driver's head. This is the type of bar the racers use and I've never seen a top to accomodate one of those.

Dave
 
One *might* be able to use a functional roll bar and a standard covertible top...if one did not use the frame at all, using the roll bar for "shape and support". Not too cosmetically pleasing, but would get the job done.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I thought the typical MGB roll bars would work with any top. BTW the standard run-of-the mill roll bars that bolt to the flimsy rear deck are more for looks than for safety and would probably pull loose or bend the mount locations in a roll over. Never mind the fact that the height of the roll bar is lower than the height of your head. A real roll bar is bolted or welded to the frame and is taller than the driver's head. This is the type of bar the racers use and I've never seen a top to accomodate one of those.

Dave

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif If your going strictly for looks you should be fine with any top as long as you stick with one of the popular "style bars"....I bought two of them off ebay to install on my cars but haven't gotten to it yet. Any roll bar that offers proper protection will not fit under any top. I am sure someone here will have a pic of said "style bar" I know member Bret has one, but I haven't seen him around much recently.
 
He's pro'lly busy playin' with all his new *Porche* friends on *their* forums. Too Good fer th' likes of us ~Plebes~ anymore. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Typical roll bar offered by all the vendors will allow the top to be put up or down without affecting it in any way....Victoria british offers a roll bar that is SCCA legal - its the only one that requires top removal.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'm a long way off since I decided to do a ground up restoration! Found some rust under the carpet in the passenger footwell on the inside sill. Further investigation led to some deteration on the rib below the sill. Nothing to severe though.
Tony, I understand that you are the person that knows parts and where to get them. I can see several small things i am going to replace. The main resource I have found is Moss. Are there others just as good?
 
If you contact me off-BBS, I'll help you...I use all the vendors &, today, qualified as an Engel Imports dealer (same folks B Hive gets parts from) & got my first order from them (I now own all the Payen head gasket sets in the US - & they're backordered!).
 
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