"Old-Busted-Hotness" (old-busted-hotness)
10/10/2014 at 09:01 • Filed to: None
3
5|
"Old-Busted-Hotness" (old-busted-hotness)
10/10/2014 at 09:01 • Filed to: None | 3
| 5 |
Related to an earlier post:
This ain't no Miata! Unlike modern convertibles, the British top-erecting experience is one of patience, planning, and perseverence.
Step one: Find an overpass to park under, assuming the reason for putting up the top is a sudden downpour. You're going to be here a while.
Step two: Find the two halves of the top frame and fit them together. Then fit the assembly to the sockets in the sills. Then take it back out because one of the bows has separated. Then take it out again because you've got it in back to front. Finally check that it's really in and not just sort of sitting there.
Step three: Unfold the bows. They're probably rusty and/or sticky. Wiggle them round a bit and see if you can get them fully extended. Good luck.
Step four: Remove the top from wherever you've put it, under the spare wheel, wheel hammer, tool kit, etc. Unfold it as best you can and lay it on the ground in the sun for about an hour, as the vinyl will be only slightly more pliable than 1/4-inch plywood.
Step five: Realize that due to the downpour, there is no sun. Cursing is optional at this point, but save the better words for later.
Step six: Insert the metal strip at the back edge of the top into the chrome fasteners. Try to hold it there as the wind tries to take the top away.
Step seven: Drag the plywoodesque top to the windshield. Repeat step six as necessary, as it will be.
Step eight: Pull the top as tight as you can and fasten one of the "lift the dot" fasteners to the stud on the windshield frame. Note with alarm how the windshield flexes as you do so.
Step nine: Say a little prayer that you won't crack the windshield, and apologize for any blasphemy you've used up to this point.
Step ten: Fasten the rest of the studs as best you can, repeating step nine as necessary. Note that the metal strip of step six has somehow come undone, and repeat processes as required.
Step eleven: Fasten the studs at the sides of the top. All but the last one, as there's just no way.
Step twelve: Locate the side curtains, unless you've left them at home. Install left curtain on right door and vise versa. Wonder at how the thumbscrews have gotten so rusty and immovable. Do the best you can with them.
Step thirteen: Correct the mistake made in step twelve.
Step fourteen: Step back and admire your work, now that the sun is out.
twochevrons
> Old-Busted-Hotness
10/10/2014 at 09:14 |
|
Heh, I have not yet experienced the joy of putting up the top on my MGA, since the cage nuts that the top frame is supposed to bolt to have long since escaped. Sounds about right, though.
|
Old-Busted-Hotness
> twochevrons
10/10/2014 at 09:18 |
|
Honestly, don't bother. Between the lazy wipers and the worthless defroster, you're better off just carrying on. The seats are vinyl anyway.
|
twochevrons
> Old-Busted-Hotness
10/10/2014 at 09:23 |
|
Good point. I don't even have the wipers installed at the moment, since they park facing straight up, and I have no desire to try and extract the wiper motor from its remarkably inaccessible hiding place in order to adjust it.
The water will just run out through the holes in the floorboards anyway.
|
Old-Busted-Hotness
> twochevrons
10/10/2014 at 09:25 |
|
And your tweed motoring cap will keep your head dry.
Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
> Old-Busted-Hotness
10/10/2014 at 10:21 |
|
lol...well done! Yeah, removable soft top frames are a pain, but the cars look SO GOOD with the top frame removed.