Working on Soft Top Again

[Alan Whitaker]

Since I am waiting for the Painter to come back from his jolly's I thought I would take the soft top out of moth balls, spent a bit of time looking at was around and it would need to be an easy fit. Found a MGB top from a 1971, new the header rail would not fit as I had a friend with one and we looked at the shape, Will make one from Fiberglas and mould in all the fixing points.
The mounting is with 3 screws and just fits in the same place as the S. It's 75 mm narrower than the existing fixing points on the S. so will have to extend the 3 rails in a jig. Going to use the MGB fixing method with lift the dot and hooks. This way I can fit a glass window (if I find one the right shape).

Alan





[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/rBgIvmkw[/url]

[v8s4me]

Alan Whitaker said:

............header rail..... will make one from Fiberglass and mould in all the fixing points......

Will you be making a re-usable mould? I assume you are happy with the amount of folding frame which sits above the wheel arches; or have you found a way round that? I have the remains of the MGB frame I tried if you need any bits off it.

Alan Whitaker said:

...This way I can fit a glass window (if I find one the right shape)..

I've still got the heated one from the MX5 if you want it.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
My shock towers are 4" shorter than normal with the shocks I have on.Should be able to make a pocket for the rail to sit in, the wheel arch is double skin so should be ok.
Will be making a 2 part mould for the header rail starting next month.
On the glass, as the mgb uses lift the dot I can un hook the rear flap so it fits down the back.
If you have any of the top rails, yes please to extend mine as it's not round.


Alan

[v8s4me]

I have the two main rails; a but rusty but only bent where they are supposed to be. So do you want the heated rear screen as well?

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Will have the top rails, I have both MGF and MX5 I think tucked away in the back but will look in the morning band see

Alan

[v8s4me]

I'll try and find a box long enough.

What are you doing about the rear hood rail? Make your own or use the original?

Edited by v8s4me on Monday 16th February 21:15

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Going to extend the rear rail to where it meets the door, then going to cover it to match the inertia trim, use it as a trim between the paint and carpet, might even sew some velcro onto the end. Have to use the lift the dot so the window will drop down in front off the base speakers.

Alan

[v8s4me]

When you make the mould for the header rail are you going to incorporate a handle? How about a recess for a commonly available interior light?

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Got one of those rear view mirrors with light in, going to do some kind off pull, the header has to sit on the TVR seal, the MGB is a seal in the header rail, The header rail needs to be thin for the TVR. Was thinking of setting up the 2 targa tops up and molding off them with a top and bottom mould then, I can put ally strips in where I need to so I can drill and tap for the fixings. clamp it up with some resin glass mix.

Alan

[White S3]

Alan,

I notice that in your overhaul you have replaced the mirrors - look good from the limited view in the phots, what are they from?

Mark

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Fiesta Mk 7, not sorted the wires out yet.

Alan

[v8s4me]

Alan Whitaker said:

.......The header rail needs to be thin for the TVR. ....

Sure, but not that thin. Go by the thickness (and depth - crucial) section at the front of the targa pannels.

Alan Whitaker said:

.......Was thinking of setting up the 2 targa tops up and molding off them with a top and bottom mould then.....

That makes sense, then you know it will be an exact match to your header rail. So long as you can clamp the two targas together with the same curve across the top seal as when they are on the car.

Alan Whitaker said:

.......I can put ally strips in where I need to so I can drill and tap for the fixings.

Personally I'd use steel inserts as they are less likely to strip out when you tighten things up. They won't go rusty if they are encased in resin.

Good luck Maybe mine won't be the only 'S' in the world with a folding roof for very long by the sound of it

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Found my window, don't know whot it's off but it fits quite nice, slips down in front of the base speekers. Thats why I have to use the lift the dot fixings. The rear mounting strip fall 8" short of the end where it meets the door, I will cover this to match the interia (leather) and sew in some velcro, have a set of MGB fixinfs for the side and rear so they should be ok.
I could use some stainless for the header rail mounts.

I think I will set up the roof on the car and just mask up

Alan

Edited by Alan Whitaker on Tuesday 17th February 19:27

[v8s4me]

Alan Whitaker said:

.. it fits quite nicely.. The rear mounting strip falls 8" short of the end where it meets the door, I will cover this to match the interior (leather) and sew in some Velcro...

It does; it's a nice shape.

Alan Whitaker said:

.. The rear mounting strip fall 8" short of the end where it meets the door...

Mine were 7" on the left and 6" on the right

Alan Whitaker said:

.. I will cover this to match the interior (leather) and sew in some velcro...

Have you considered extending the rear hood rail to the 'B' post and mounting the Velcro on that? It makes for a much neater job IMHO. If you don't like it you can always chop it back again.

I'm thinking of having my rear rail trimmed in red vinyl on the inner vertical face and black hood fabric on the outside as this is much tougher and harder wearing than the vinyl. It's also better for stitching the Velcro to as it is more resistant to tearing than the vinyl.

All down to personal choice in the end

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Will be extending the rear hood rail to the end to finish it off, stitching the velcro to the leather. Trim is Magnolia and red piping, either red or magnoila thread.
Going to make a trip to Blackpool with the seats and other bits to see what the options are.

Alan

[v8s4me]

Hi Alan

This is my MX5 rear screen and it looks similar to yours. Mine has "dot matrix" printing in the bottom right corner giving the date and serial number. If yours has "Nippon Safety" stamped in the corner it's probably Mazda.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Joe
Just had a look and it's the same as yours, just been looking at the header rail, the TVR is a funny shape, Hope to start the new header rail next time I go to the workshop.

Alan

[v8s4me]

Alan Whitaker said:

Hi Joe - Just had a look and it's the same as yours, just been looking at the header rail, the TVR is a funny shape, Hope to start the new header rail next time I go to the workshop. Alan

Hello Alan - The MX one looks about the right size and shape and I'll be putting up some pictures of mine later today. The header rail is a very funny shape with complex curves running all directions! The left side on mine was deeper than the right. Good luck with it. I think moulding one directly off the car will be a hell of a lot easier than making one from bit of shaped ply!

I'm not going to use the MX heated screen other than for a template so if anyone fancies it for a project when I'm finished let me know. But not if it's for another V8S! I will just point out now that I am determined to have the only V8S in the world with a folding roof. I have the fluffy white cat, I'm exchanging contracts on the volcano next week and the builders are booked to start the hollowing out and lair construction in time for my return from Spa

[glenrobbo]

v8s4me said:

I will just point out now that I am determined to have the only V8S in the world with a folding roof. I have the fluffy white cat, I'm exchanging contracts on the volcano next week and the builders are booked to start the hollowing out and lair construction in time for my return from Spa

We always suspected you had friends in high places Joe.

Any chance of a ride in their craft this year?
But I don't want to be probed

Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 21st February 13:15

[Alan Whitaker]

I have a MX 5 old frame, was going to cut the header off, it looked about right on length but curved 30 mm high in the middle, straight line across the top and the TVR kicks in at the ends and drops about 30mm where it meets the door, that's where the MX 5 header won't fit or will it?. no time this weekend to look Painting the bathroom.

Alan

quick PS Joe, I have a V8 as well

Edited by Alan Whitaker on Saturday 21st February 13:45