MGB Restoring an MGB Works Hardtop

[tony barnhill]

Back when I bought my '79 Vermillon Red MGB, the dealer wouldn't sell it to me without a hardtop ($50 accessory). I told him it looked like a big, black hemmeroid on top of my car; so, he had it painted Vermillion to match....I loved it & kept it that way for years & years. A few years ago, I painted it black & put it on my black '63 MGB. since then, I've wanted another Vermillion top.

Well, a week or so ago, I bought a white one that was perfect for doing just that on. Here it is in the paint booth...tomorrow it gets its clear coat & then the underside gets repainted.

Doc, the code for the "grey" interior color is:

Sherwin Williams Polane T 1443

It'll say 'off white' but its really a light grey - like the GT headliner or an old VW interior.

I've got a new rear window, new side windows, & all new weatherstripping/window rubber to go on it when we reassemble it! Its absolutely gorgeous & matches the car perfectly!

 

[vping]

Tony,

If you have the chance, I'd like to see shots of how it mounts & what the rubber looks like. My TD came with it's hardtop but is missing hardware & rubber. I'd like to conjure some ideas up on what I can do to get it back sitting on the car properly one day.

Your top looks amazing by the way.

 

[Rick_Stevens]

Truth: When the picture loaded, my first words were "Oh, my!" That's nice, Tony.

R.

 

[jlaird]

Sure does nice work.

 

[Scott_Hower]

Looks awesome Tony!

 

[DrEntropy]

Thanks fer th' "code" Tony! I'll get mine in the next few days. Time to get "crackin'" with this.

It does look bespoke, BTW. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jjbunn]

Looks splendid: top hole! Did you strip the white paint off beforehand, or paint over?

 

[R6MGS]

[ QUOTE ]
Tony,

If you have the chance, I'd like to see shots of how it mounts & what the rubber looks like. My TD came with it's hardtop but is missing hardware & rubber. I'd like to conjure some ideas up on what I can do to get it back sitting on the car properly one day.

Your top looks amazing by the way.

[/ QUOTE ]

TD hardtop! Now that I gotta see.......Has to be aftermarket.

I had a yellow hardtop on my yellow 78, and a white hardtop on my white 73...Much prefer the look of a painted top to that of the regular black...But for originality sake mine are stayign black for now... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
Did you strip the white paint off beforehand, or paint over?

[/ QUOTE ]

They cleaned, sanded, primed, worked the little age cracks, resanded, primed, sanded again & painted...next is clear...then it gets flipped & the underside painted (its already been cleaned & prepped for paint).

 

[jlaird]

And those young guys really go after the prep.

 

[tony barnhill]

Actually, Jack, Rickey himself did all the prep & sprayed it! I was shocked to pull up & find him sanding! (& the Corvette they've restored is getting its hardtop painted also.)

 

[jlaird]

Take a real close look at the paint, real close. I have found a few spots, hehe. I have not done any damage yet though, I supose the next chance I will get to do that will be stuffing the engine. Oh yea, got to pull the hinges off of that door. That should be an intresting time.

 

[Jarhead]

The top looks great! I have a hardtop that must have been aftermarket. The rear window goes all the way to the trim piece that fits to the body. The window is plexi-glass and all crackley. Would love to replace the glass and fit the bottom with a piece to hold a new window. I like the painted idea! As far as those hinges go, I just pulled my drivers door off and found a number 4 phillips (didn't even know they made one) at Sears that fit perfect and made the job a lot easier with no bu /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gifggered ears on the screws.

 

[rick_ingram]

Top is looking good, Tony! I personally prefer the lines of the factory top over the aftermarket tops that have been available.

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
As far as those hinges go, I just pulled my drivers door off and found a number 4 phillips (didn't even know they made one) at Sears that fit perfect

[/ QUOTE ]

#4 is real close - but, if the screw doesn't move easily, don't force it with the #4 - get the correct Posi or you'll start stripping it.

 

[R6MGS]

[ QUOTE ]
Top is looking good, Tony! I personally prefer the lines of the factory top over the aftermarket tops that have been available.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif nothing beats the factory top.

 

[Rob_P]

nothing except topless.

as in top down... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif

 

[jlaird]

You know I think I need a set of those Posis. Only need em for a few places but would be helpful indeed.

 

[DrEntropy]

Tony: Horsemits suggested you name the red car Juan. Then it would be...

"Juan in Vermillion"!!!!!!


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<runs>

 

[tony barnhill]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif Doc, you tipping on a Thursday night?