MGB Progress on replacing my MGB top

[drooartz]

So I decided to take the plunge and replace the top on my MGB. To sum up, the car came to me with a scissor frame (incorrect for the car) and ratty top. At the end of last summer I sourced a pack away frame and put on a new top. This year I realized that I used the top more than I thought and the pack away top was annoying. So I decided to just bite the bullet and replace the top (current top will go to a fellow club member here).

A local club member gave me a later style folding frame, and I spent some time cleaning it up and put on a fresh coat of paint tonight. The header rail had some surface rusting but no holes and was otherwise reusable -- latches are in decent shape too. All it was missing was one of the snaps.

As I was cleaning up the garage tonight I remember that I still had the old scissor frame... and it had snaps on it. So I now have the proper riveted snaps and some spare screw in snaps (replacements of some sort that were on the scissor frame). Good to go! New Robbins top came in today, seals and some assorted nuts and bolts due in on Thursday. Moving right along!

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Will be doing the same job myself soon- will be following your progress with interest.


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[aeronca65t]

I have the packaway style on my MGB (removable top and frame) and I agree.....if you have to put it up and down a lot, it's a pain. Mine came off about 3 weeks ago, I am unlikely to put it up more than a couple of times in 2012.

If I do any driving when the weather is "iffy", I take the Miata. Top goes down in 10 seconds from the driver's seat (about 20 seconds to get out of the car and put it back up).

My "new" Midget has a folding top frame similar to the style you have just installed on your car. Works well.

 

[drooartz]

It's not so much iffy weather as it is morning cold. I'm at enough elevation (5550') that even in mid summer the mornings are chilly, and the mountain passes (close to 10,000') even more so. Couple that with afternoon mountain showers that can crop up almost any time and I use my top more than I thought.

Paint seems to be curing nicely, should have it ready for my upholstery guy to fit the top next week. He's busy this time of year, but I hope he can slot me in shortly.

 

[drooartz]

Made a bit of progress today on the new top frame. Received the last few pieces I needed today and got the frame assembled and attached to the car. Scrounged a few pieces off my old frame, and even had an excuse to purchase a new tool (pop rivet gun).

Will be calling my upholstery guy in the morning to get it scheduled for fitting. Hope to have it all ready before my trip down to Moab in a few weeks.