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Hard tops - Learn me.

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The side windows are available new so you don't have to make them...don't forget to order the little rubber buffers that go between the Lexan /plexi and the frames - Lexan/plexiglass is too thin for the tracks...I have a rear window for one laying in a shed that was made out of plexiglass.
 
The one frame I have here at work has a 1/4" x 1/4" square Wooden strip in the bottom track. Is this what you are referring to?

The frames need the steel corner engles that keep it all screwed together. I was going to fabricate from 6061 Aluminum and use stainless screws to hold it together.

I've got sheets of 1/8" Scratch resistant acrylic and a laser here at the shop. Once I get the shape drawn out I can cut as many as I want and even laser engrave the "PERSPEX A.S.4" on them for originallity. I can even make a rear window out of plexi if I want.

I wonder what a fiberglass repair place would charge for the small cracks?
 
If you have the time Tony, Doc, anyone, I would like some close ups of the mounting hardware, window Frames or seal details. I'll either purchase or Fabricate but at least I'll know what I'm looing at.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The one frame I have here at work has a 1/4" x 1/4" square Wooden strip in the bottom track. Is this what you are referring to?[/QUOTE]
No, originally it was rubber - McGregor has them.

&, here's a photo of a Midget factory hardtop:

midgettop.jpg


Since the body on the different series Midgets are different, to bottom edges of all the Midget hardtopas are different...Mk I Midget hardtop, of course, fits the early windshield without vent windows, MkII, MkIII are both different from one another due to those body differences.
 
Under the rubbber strip there was a wooden filler strip. It looks really old as if it has been there forevere.

Speaking of old, is there any way of determining age? Vin# or what have you.
 
Don't know of a way to determine age - white & black were offered from '63 until '80 & the tops never changed.
 
The wood is original, Vince. I got a surprise when I redid mine. The wood was still in great shape. I got all the seals and gaskets from MacGregor, too. It all fits up quite well. Have to miter cut/glue the one for the rear glass (REAL "Super Glue". Permatex). Bit of a fiddle but do-able. I'll try to get you some pix tomorrow: have a payin' gig (photo shoot) this eve. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Is this one (midget)?

hardtop.jpg
 
The white top seems to have been red first, then black, then red.
 
Rick - that's a Midget hardtop

Vince - check to see when they stopped offering red as an optional color on hardtops...it was way back when, I think.
 
Thanks Tony, I needed that! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thankyousign.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
I'm not sure you meant it, but that really made me laugh!
 
Rick - what I meant to say was that if it was red originaly, it was built before 1966 since after that all hardtops were black from the factory.

I'm glad to provide you that brief moment of brevity...smiles make you live longer!!
 
vping said:
.... The frames need the steel corner engles that keep it all screwed together. I was going to fabricate from 6061 Aluminum and use stainless screws to hold it together... ... I've got sheets of 1/8" Scratch resistant acrylic and a laser here at the shop....
Click to expand...

I repaired my top last spring. I had to replace all of the angle brackets and ended up making my own from 1/8 x 1/4 steel key stock. It is much harder than it looks. I got the best results by bending them first and them marking the hole locations with the frame pieces in position. Then drilled and tapped the holes. Predrilling the holes and then bending them was a complete disaster.

After much thought I replaced the side windows with UV resistant Lexan (polycarbonate). It is much stronger than acrylic and I have not had good luck with the scratch-resistant acrylic. Interestingly the PO had put real glass in the sides. The problem with this is that the side windows are actually curved a little and he used flat glass. It fit but not well and the top never did fit the car right. And then one broke so I went back to plastic

At the same time I ordered new seals direct from McGregor and it took 3 months to get them. Perhaps this was just bad timing on my part - not sure. I just put them on last week and they seem to be of good quality and fit.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I ordered new seals direct from McGregor and it took 3 months to get them[/QUOTE]
No, that's probably pretty standard....he makes a quality product but you have to wait for it.
 
Tony you took your top apart, painted and then reassembled? How were your part before you took it apart - OK? Did you have to buy new bits and seals & such? I just hope I am not starting another project that'll take me longer than expected.
 
On that last one, I bought all new rubber, new side windows & a new rear window...everything else was in great shape & only needed cleaning.

I've got 3 MGB factory hardtops - the Vermillion Red one in the photos was the last I restored...the other 2 are black...only thing any of them needed was rubber & new side windows - & I've got over $1200 in the Vermillion one (including body shop paint/fiberglass repair - spidering - bill)!

And I've got 3 Midget hardtops yet to restore!
 
Just in case anybody didn't get it...

I showed a picture of my Midget with a hard top on it & Tony said:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Rick - that's a Midget hardtop [/QUOTE]

I love it, that's priceless!!

Thank you, and you are right - laughter is good medicine.
I've been sick with a 'cold' for a couple days, so maybe I'm just loopy /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif
 
It looks like a "Snugtop" aftermarket one to me, Rick.

Tony?
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]It looks like a "Snugtop" aftermarket one to me, Rick.

Tony?[/QUOTE]

Here ya go, Doc...my factory top & his top one photo above the other.....mine is undergoing restoration so is in sanding/primer stage while his is finished with a dull covering (it should be shiny black) that makes it look like a vinyl covered Snug. But, they're both factory:

midgettop.jpg

hardtop.jpg
 
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