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how much is an MG hard top worth?
- Thread starter walshja
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tosoutherncars
Jedi Knight
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If it is a H/T that's still in production and/or still has the weatherstripping available, I'd say about $750 *minus* any repairs needed. Maybe $400 (top end) in OK restorable condition. They come up on ebay ocassionally, and often don't get bid up too high due to shipping costs.
Make SURE it's one that fits your year - i.e. 70 (71?) - 80, if it's for your '74. The early and mid-year cars have different fitments.
Make SURE it's one that fits your year - i.e. 70 (71?) - 80, if it's for your '74. The early and mid-year cars have different fitments.
OP
walshja
Jedi Warrior
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what do you mean still in production? someone is still making new H/T's??
the seller told me this is an original OEM MG H/T, so would I have a difficult time finding the weather stripping? he did say it needed to be painted as well, but that the original side and rear windows are there.
he is offering it to me for $300, so would that be a fair price?
your comments about the weatherstripping is concerning me, I don't want to buy this if I cannot find the parts needed to make this usable.
talk to me more !!!
the seller told me this is an original OEM MG H/T, so would I have a difficult time finding the weather stripping? he did say it needed to be painted as well, but that the original side and rear windows are there.
he is offering it to me for $300, so would that be a fair price?
your comments about the weatherstripping is concerning me, I don't want to buy this if I cannot find the parts needed to make this usable.
talk to me more !!!
tosoutherncars
Jedi Knight
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Yes, Moss and VB still sell weatherstripping and windows for the original tops, I think... lemme find the link.
OP
walshja
Jedi Warrior
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ahhh, if that's the case, this is a slam dunk
since the top needs to be painted, I can use this as my practice item, I've been wanting to learn auto painting for some time
I did a quick search of Moss, and I couldn't find any weather stripping, you have any luck, and thanks for looking !!!!!
since the top needs to be painted, I can use this as my practice item, I've been wanting to learn auto painting for some time
I did a quick search of Moss, and I couldn't find any weather stripping, you have any luck, and thanks for looking !!!!!
OP
walshja
Jedi Warrior
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Jim, interesting question, one I did not give serious thought too. (until now)
my first reaction was to go with the color of my car, but you asking the question makes me wonder what was the original color? were they painted to match the car? or did they only come in black or white?
I want to go original, I like to keep my toys as they came from the factory, so if white or black was the only option, I wonder what would look better?
would black be better to match the black skirts on the bottom of the car? or would white contrast nice with the Teal Blue of my car?
any thoughts? opinions? does painting the top Teal Blue ruin the authenticity/factory look ??
my first reaction was to go with the color of my car, but you asking the question makes me wonder what was the original color? were they painted to match the car? or did they only come in black or white?
I want to go original, I like to keep my toys as they came from the factory, so if white or black was the only option, I wonder what would look better?
would black be better to match the black skirts on the bottom of the car? or would white contrast nice with the Teal Blue of my car?
any thoughts? opinions? does painting the top Teal Blue ruin the authenticity/factory look ??
mccalebr
Jedi Knight
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I don't know that I've ever heard the question, or answer, before, so I did a little searching.
None of the original brochures, post cards, or road test article on my web site have a photo of a car with a hard top installed, however, several of the brochures mention the availability of the 'optional' hard top; no mention of colors.
Since this was an option and the manufacturer was dependent upon subcontractors for the tops, I would assume the manufacturer would be reluctant to feature a specific top in their advertisements.
As an option, my guess would be that dealers likely received them in black and/or white and painted them to match or contrast if the customer desired. Most of the tops I've seen for Spridgets, other than for Bugeyes, have been black.
So...I would suggest you can do what you like!
Ray
None of the original brochures, post cards, or road test article on my web site have a photo of a car with a hard top installed, however, several of the brochures mention the availability of the 'optional' hard top; no mention of colors.
Since this was an option and the manufacturer was dependent upon subcontractors for the tops, I would assume the manufacturer would be reluctant to feature a specific top in their advertisements.
As an option, my guess would be that dealers likely received them in black and/or white and painted them to match or contrast if the customer desired. Most of the tops I've seen for Spridgets, other than for Bugeyes, have been black.
So...I would suggest you can do what you like!
Ray
tosoutherncars
Jedi Knight
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I've always wanted a colour-matched one, personally... like a micro B-GT! 
Pythias
Jedi Knight
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A Hard Top SAGA..
I recently "won" a hard top for my '66 MK III Sprite on Ebay for $550. The seller had bought a car for $300 just for the top. He junked the car. Then refinished the top. NEW glass, NEW front seal, NEW rear window seal. He sanded and repainted, 5 coats of Black Imron, 3 coats of clear coat. Then when he went to put the top on found out the difference between a Mk III and Ml IV Sprite!, and put it on Ebay...... local pick up only in Georgia. ..Befroe bidding I wrote him and asked if he would PLEASE ship. If so I would pay the price. ... After submitting the winning bid I got the shipping quote.$650 to build a box and ship.WowZa We talked a few times about whether to cancel the deal or have someone pick it up for me or ship it. too big and heavy for UPS by the time he boxed it up well enough to satisfy himself that it would arrive in perfect condition. Which it did... to Portland. I had to borrow my neighbors pick-up to go get it... $60 worth of gas later the top was in my garage... $1200. Still a bargain compared to a new one at about $1400 without paint or shipping from MOss, IF one was available at all for a MK III Sprite, which there aren't. .. BUT I left the parking brake off on the pick up! I got a knock on the door about 2 hours later. The police asking if i had borrowed my neighbors truck. It was now in the ravine across the street from my house, having rolled on over. After I had it pulled up and out, we saw the frame was bent. An old '70's era chevy, no insurance other than liability. Ok so i replaced the neighbors truck for another $1200....
So.. What's a Hardtop worth? I paid about $2500, the same as I paid for the car originally, .. twelve years ago.
I recently "won" a hard top for my '66 MK III Sprite on Ebay for $550. The seller had bought a car for $300 just for the top. He junked the car. Then refinished the top. NEW glass, NEW front seal, NEW rear window seal. He sanded and repainted, 5 coats of Black Imron, 3 coats of clear coat. Then when he went to put the top on found out the difference between a Mk III and Ml IV Sprite!, and put it on Ebay...... local pick up only in Georgia. ..Befroe bidding I wrote him and asked if he would PLEASE ship. If so I would pay the price. ... After submitting the winning bid I got the shipping quote.$650 to build a box and ship.WowZa We talked a few times about whether to cancel the deal or have someone pick it up for me or ship it. too big and heavy for UPS by the time he boxed it up well enough to satisfy himself that it would arrive in perfect condition. Which it did... to Portland. I had to borrow my neighbors pick-up to go get it... $60 worth of gas later the top was in my garage... $1200. Still a bargain compared to a new one at about $1400 without paint or shipping from MOss, IF one was available at all for a MK III Sprite, which there aren't. .. BUT I left the parking brake off on the pick up! I got a knock on the door about 2 hours later. The police asking if i had borrowed my neighbors truck. It was now in the ravine across the street from my house, having rolled on over. After I had it pulled up and out, we saw the frame was bent. An old '70's era chevy, no insurance other than liability. Ok so i replaced the neighbors truck for another $1200....
So.. What's a Hardtop worth? I paid about $2500, the same as I paid for the car originally, .. twelve years ago.
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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You need to make sure it'll fit your Midget - unlike the MGB hardtop, there were different hardtops for the different Midget bodies - MkI, MkII, MkIII/1500 Midget.....won't do any good to buy one that's wrong for your car!walshja said: