TR2/3/3A Hardtop bracket

[Jim_Stevens]

Good morning all!

I lucked into a complete, if not rusty, factory hardtop with most of the mounting hardware. It is an early one, as evidenced by the drip channel seals. The Windscreen Fitting brackets (603189) are odd, however. Does anyone recognize it? Looks like it might attach to to its mate attached to the windshield frame.

Thanks, Jim

 

[sp53]

Hi Jim here are some shots of my hard top hardware, but I have the soft top on and it covers over the some of the hardware ends. On the windshield side, the 3 brackets are screwed onto the frame with 2 screws each and then partially hidden by the rubber windshield seal. In the back the brackets are fastened to the tub with 2 screws, and these are hidden by the trim. This car is a 58 and most cars have the holes for the brackets predrilled under the trim with a welded caged nut in the center of the bracket. I put the screw/ bolt into the hidden threaded center section holding the attaching screw in the back and to act as a finish when the top is off, and so I do not lose the screw and it holds the chrome finish piece in place.

Steve

 

[Jim_Stevens]

Thanks! I’m hoping the 59’s have the holes/ mounts already installed, but I don’t recall seeing them when I did the restoration. On those front pieces, I’ve ordered the correct brackets from Rimmer Bros. Sure doesn’t seem like there’s enough purchase for them on the lip of the windscreen frame!

 

[sp53]

Yes the area is tight for the front bracket and drilling through the chrome plated windshield frame is unsettling. I suggest getting 3 new drill bits, so as to cut clean and easy all 6 times. The holes in back should be there on a 59, but the U shaped bracket probably not. I made one for my car or welded a nut or something it has been 25 years. The rear stuff is not chrome and would be easy to make. Along the inside on the top are also five L shaped brackets to match the ones on the tub. The 3 along back are the same and the 2 by the doors are larger. To repeat, the front 3 brackets are chrome brass and the rest mild steel so they are makeable without too much trouble. You put rubber washers in the back and sides through the center hole bolt when fitting the top to help shim the top level.

steve

 

[Jim_Stevens]

Thanks! Hadn’t known about the rubber washers. In fact, I wasn’t going to pursue a hard top at all until I discovered on the factory records that it was delivered with a hard top. So my grandson will ultimately get it.