I have an 80 B with a canvas top( a little bulky ). This is what I do and I
have no damage to the top. I can put it down alone and quickly too.
Pictures would make this easier but...
Unsnap the snaps then latches fixing the header rail to the windshield.
step outide the car and unsnap the snap strap which snaps down on the inside
of the car to the top frame near the corner of the door window
Lift up all of the fasteners around the rear corner and then you will have
enough slack to unlatch the clip on the top located at the door jam.
Move around the car and repeat on the passenger side(stay there)
Now lift the header rail back a bit to slacken the top. This will allow you
to pull the back edge of the top off of the two clips on the back
Now, with the rear of the top detached, grab it by the back edge and lift it
over the top turning it inside out.
Pull the moveable bow back (the one the top is sewed or glued to) and smooth
things out so they lay flat.
fold the corner window up over the back window making sure that the fold is
on the fabric between the two windows not on the window its self and that
the windows are laying flat.
pat it down a bit so there is only a little dip in the window/fabric between
the two bows
move back to the drivers side and fold that corner window up and over the
back window.
Now with your arm like a big karate chop push the back window with the two
corner windows on top down a bit to start a fold in the middle between the
two bows
With your right hand grab the bow that the top is glued or sewed to, with
your left, the header rail and ease the whole thing back. It should calapse
into a neatly folded top.
Get into car and put on seat belt before light turns green.
The nice thing is you start on the drivers side and end up there only having
to travel to the other side of the car once. There are no folds in the
windows just one gentle bend along the back.
I've been using this method for years with no problems. I'm not sure if it
is the official method but it works very well for me. If you decide to do it
some other way just make sure that you unlach the clips near the door handle
on the jam. Just forcing the top down with the clip still in place will
surely rip the clip from the top in a short while
Chris Reichle
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From: mgs-owner
To: mgs
Subject: Introduction & hoods
Date: Tuesday,March 04,1997 8:26PM
Hello MG listers,
I've been following this group for many months and have enjoyed its info and
purpose. My name is Bob Holton, I live in Elmira, Ontario Canada, and I'm
the much too happy owner of a 80 B LE. The lbc purrs like a cat (can I say
that here?) and with this groups help I intend to keep it that way. This is
my 3rd. MG, a 68 B was first, followed by a 70 Midget while I was in the
U.S.Army. Both were driven to death, the only excuse I can use for their
poor care, was my youth. I have seen the light(just too late for those
dearly departed).
I have invested in a few books: Haynes, one by Jim Tyler, Original MGB by
Clausager, and even a manual on Stromberg Carbs. My manual by Bentley is
still on back order, and in all of these publications I can't seem to find
anything on (here comes the new guy question) hoods. The other MG's tops
were easy to fold down, the 68 came right off, and the Midget went down like
a dream. What, if I may be so bold, is the proper way to get this rascal
down smoothly and in a compact manner, this more than likely sound pretty
silly, but I've had a couple Jack Daniel's and now have the nerve to ask
something silly. If any one can help or lead me down the road to
righteousness I would be most greatful. While I'm on hoods, is there a way
to remove scuff on the vinyl windows, thats how good a job I've been doing
on folding it down(the scuffs are'nt bad but keep reminding me of the bad
fold jobs)
Sorry to take so much space but I do need a plan. Also living in Canada I
know better that to take a run at the "French" thread.
Regards,and thanks
Bob
P.S. Hi to the MGGUY, Rock and Roll is still good in Ontario.
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