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Longbridge Sliding Top

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coj

coj

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HELP,I have asked this question in the past and perhaps was not as clear as I should have been. Apparently about 1956-57 the big healey (100/6) was still built at longbridge. During those production runs a number of cars (4 Seaters) were built with a convertable top with bows (frames) that were attached to the car. The attachment point for the bows (Top Frame) was just to the rear of the doors on a fore and aft slider that allowed the enough travel for the bows to be pushed back behind the the rear seat backs so that the top and bows would rest in the same place, concealed behind the rear seat backs, as the later 100/6 and mark 1 3000'S. The front attachment point of the bows remained fixed in the "sliders". Unlike the later cars that use a single hole to affix the bows, and also shared the tonneau bow (Frame), the Longbridge top , due to the permanent slider, had a seprate receptical for the tonneau bow, located just in front of the slider, and behind the door.Because of the slider the normal flat area dips down to accomodate this mechanisim. When not in use the tonneau bow can be pulled out (like the early 3000), and can be tucked behind the rear seat over the top.The top on this car is new, but obviously was designed for the later 100/6 and 3000. The bow (Frame) angle for the new top is different, slightly, from the later frame. Suppliers do not seem to recognize this difference so they keep sending the top designed for the later 100/6 and early 3000 types. Having owned a 3000 in 1960, when new, I am very familiar with the frame that that has a hole which accomodated both the tonneau and the top frames. Does anyone have any idea about how difficult it would be to convert the sliding arangement to the later design/?IE Make it a flat area with the single hole. Is it worth it? I am just tired of trying to explain this to suppliers.and I think the later type top is easier anyway.
 
I have the Longbridge car, and replaced the top about four years ago. For most parts I find both Moss and VB to be just fine. But for the Longbridge BN-4 top, I just bit the bullet and paid the price for one of the upper end suppliers. Heritage understands the differences, and makes a great top for our car. Give them a call and talk it over, it will be worth your time. :yesnod:

Good luck! You are way ahead of the game in one aspect - you understand the workings of the Longbridge top bows! It took me a lot of research to figure it all out!

Larry
 
I have a Longbridge also and will be having heritage make my top as indicated above, but I have seen other Longbridge models converted to Abingdon relatively easily. In fact my car came with an Abingdon bow I'd be willing to sell ya! PM me if interested.
rich
 
Andrea, Thanks very much for the quick reply. The pics are very good, and interesting. My car is really a "Mix" to say the least. The forward part is a 3000, with a 29 F series engine. I noticed in your pictures that the side panel beside the rear seats seems to drop down so the slider has some more exposer. In my case that side panel is higher up, which leads me to believe the upolstery resconstruction was made for the non slider top cars. I will check that ourt furthrer
 
How do I get in touch with heritage. There are a lot of companies with that name on the we. Thanks for any info
 
I am interested, but I need to know how difficult it would be to make the change over to the newer style connection first. As I understood it from my research on line at an AH website, there were two types of bows that followed the Longbridge slider. Thanks for your reply.
 
My Car has been in storage this winter. I have just contacted heritage and wait for their reply. You mentioned that you knew some others who converted the "Longbridge" type sliding to to the later version of a 100/6 or 3000 type. Do you know how difficult that is? Cost about? I have a new later model top and yes i would be interested in your bow if the conversion can be done without a big hassle
 
Check out this page on my web site, which explains the different types of top bows.


https://www.healeysix.net/Longbridge%20Top.htm


The actual fabric hood on the first series after the sliding hood should be exactly the same as the sliding hood fabric top. I would just replace the fabric and keep the sliding mechanism. The later tops may be slightly easier to erect but not enough to stop you getting very wet if you leave putting it up to when it starts raining.
 
Thank you for the info. That is a good site.I currently have a dispute going with the convertabletopguys.
www.convertibletopguys.com

They have a "longbridge" advertised on their site, but as it turns out it is the later top, and they don't want to take it back! I agree with you, it is best to stay with what I have, it is just so darn hard to find someone who carries the top I need.

Thanks again.
 
I'd tell them they are using mispresentative advertising. They are selling Abingdon tops and calling them Longbridge. And their colour choices are black (ok), white and tan !!!
 
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