[Spridgets] Softtop frame - no political content

[Michael Rowe]

This week, after about 4 months, I finally got around to fitting my new softtop from EZsofttops.com.  There were a number of problems, especially trying to stretch a 44" width to the 45 3/4" header rail.  The rear bow was also out of position for some reason that I could not figure out.  The manufacturer suggested that I take it to a professional for fitting.  

So this morning I took it to my local guy, who said he could probably stretch the width, but there was no way that top could be fitted properly to that frame, primarily because the rear bow is too high and out of position relative to the canvas.  Since there is no adjustment for the rear bow, it is not clear what is wrong.

Giving the benefit of doubt to the manufacturer on dimensions, I don't know how to tell if I have the wrong frame for a '74 Midget or they sent the wrong top for this model.  They say the 44" width is correct.  The replacement frame in the catalogue is the same from '67 through '80. 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to identify the proper frame, particularly measurements for the position of the rear bow relative to the rear deck and the width across the top of the front rail?  Any other suggestions on how to identify the frame.  It looks exactly like the pictures for a Mark III in Horler, including the rear retaining strip (Moss #400-670) which the manufacturer claimed never to have seen before (????).

Michael Rowe
'74 Midget
'60 Sprite kit
Long Island, NY