[Healeys] Convertible top and frame vinyl

[rfbegani at gmail.com]

Gentlemen:

 

The car had an on-frame restoration almost 15 years ago at which time the top was replaced.  Since then, it has been living in SWFL in our garage and for the most part has not been up and locked during that time.  In fact, when it was replaced, I remembered that I was advised it will be hard to lock in place but will stretch with use.  Living in Florida it has been hardly used and very hard to lock when I did need to put it up.

 

Two weeks ago, I decided to put up the top and it was very difficult to get the hooks to attach to the windscreen frame.  Finally, the hooks went on and slowly I kept adjusting the tension. Currently, the leather top is hard as a rock.

 

So, this summer it will be in a hot garage with the top up.  Perhaps, it will stretch more?

 

Meanwhile, I have ordered a jar of black ink/paint that will be rubbed on to the white frame so that it will look better when I come back in October.

 

Best regards.

 

Bob Begani

 

From: Hank Leach <gradea1 at charter.net> 
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2026 10:39 PM
To: jvwojcik at comcast.net; 'Bob Begani' <rfbegani at gmail.com>; 'Healey Email list' <healeys at autox.team.net>; simon.lachlan at alexarevel.plus.com
Subject: RE: Re: [Healeys] Convertible top and frame vinyl

 

Bob- I think another top might be in order-either this one shrunk or never fit from the start. Did you put it out in the sun to see if it stretched over?  Is it original and is it factory (see box- on the shelf for 50 years) I have that factory top on the car and it covers those grey strips fully...someone short-sheeted you. Hank
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From: "Simon Lachlan via Healeys" <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net> > 
Reply-To: <simon.lachlan at alexarevel.plus.com <mailto:simon.lachlan at alexarevel.plus.com> > 
To: <jvwojcik at comcast.net <mailto:jvwojcik at comcast.net> >, "'Bob Begani'" <rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com> >, "'Healey Email list'" <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net> > 
Sent: May 14, 2026 at 11:41 AM PDT 
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Convertible top and frame vinyl 

Maybe you could find someone who could disassemble both sides of the hood and stitch in strips of matching material thus making the overall fit broader and a better fit??

 

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> > On Behalf Of jvwojcik--- via Healeys
Sent: 14 May 2026 17:34
To: Bob Begani <rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com> >; Healey Email list <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net> >
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Convertible top and frame vinyl

 

Hi, Bob, in my humble opinion, guys our age with cool cars like yours should buy pants and shirts that fit, and our convertible tops should fit too. Maybe cut this one up into a kit bag for your boot. Buy the best for your ride!  Jim

  _____  

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> > on behalf of Bob Begani <rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2026 9:05 AM
To: Bob Begani <rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com> >; Healey Email list <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net> >
Subject: [Healeys] Convertible top and frame vinyl

 

My top has never stretched far enough to cover the white vinyl top frame. Should I paint it black?

Bob Begani 

 

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