folding a top?

[jim79]

Been trying to retract the top of my 79 midget and its seems I dont know what I'm doing. I cant seem to get the top down far enough to put the cover over it . It seems to be binding. I'm sure there is a simple fix but I haven't found it yet.
Any ideas or comments?
Thanks, James

 

[budk1953]

1.Press the header rail rearwards to collapse the hinge links, at the same time keeping the top material pulled out towards the rear away from the frame.
2.Lay the top on the luggage compartment lid.
3.Fold the quarter windows inward on a line between the quarter lites and the rear window (fold on the divider between the windows).
4.Fold the top over the frame into the rear compartment.

Paraphased from the Midget Drivers Handbook

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Did you release the tennax connectors (three on each side)

 

[10musketeer]

Yep, undo to tenax fasteners and after pulling the top away from the frame, lay it on the boot and then fold the side windows over so they will be underneath when the whole top is folded back into the rear compartment behind the seats as Bud described. If using a tonneau cover it will probably still be a tight fit to get it over the top. After a while, and after a couple of hot days, the cover will take shape and fit better.

 

[tosoutherncars]

I'll be damned... I hate to admit it, but I always thought my top just didn't go down as far as the earlier Midgets. Never gave a thought to undoing the snaps... Duuuuuuuuuh. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[jim79]

Well thanks guys, it looks alot better now. I guess I'll have to get one of those driver handbook in case I'm doing something else wrong.
Thanks again, James

 

[zimmy]

im stunned by how many people dont know how to fold a top down.....most just wad it up and cram it down! DOH!
just part of the learning process, i guess! ...zimmmy