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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Convertible Top Attachment (64 Midget)

Can anyone confirm for me the correct method that a soft-top should attach to the rear-deck of my '64 midget?? A former owner put on a new top but has it attached with 14 snap fasteners which apart from looking ugly, I can't believe are spec. The (I think original) two chrome darts are still in place but are used for the tonneau cover, not the convertible top..
C. R. Wilson

C.R.W.

The thin & long chrome strip that should be mounted along the lower side of your convertible top is Moss Part #400-670 (retaining strip). Also – check out page 77 of Moss catalog SPM-81 if you have a copy.

I believe that the purpose of this thin strip is to both distribute the stress, improve the aesthetics and if you use the proper mounting hardware – a nifty place to snap your tonneau cover straps. Depending on the style and type of hardware you (or the previous owner has used...) you may not have the correct hardware to properly attach the thin metal strip.

In may case - the previous owner actually damaged my soft top – the chrome metal retaining strip was actually in the trunk – and the hardware used was mostly sheet metal screws. Needless to say, there were some small rips & tears beginning to occur.

I replaced the crappy hardware with items available from MOSS and re-mounted the retaining strip. Overall, this is year #5 and the small tears are still there but they have not spread out, primarily because the force of the soft top pulled by the wind is more evenly distributed . On the other hand, once the soft top is lowered in April – it does NOT go up until the car is driven into winter storage.

If possible, take a look at a few other Midgets in your area – I would bet that some (most) of them will display a mixed variety of screws, nuts and snaps...

Mike P.
Buffalo, NY
Mike Pelone

Mike, he has a '64 car - this is before the stainless steel (not chrome) strip was introduced.
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

heres some pics of my 64 midget,




John Collins

another


John Collins

last one,

hopefully you can see the 2 press studs, the one tenax? fastener, and the 2 rear chrome teardrop shaped clips.

John


John Collins

First question is MK I or MK II? If its the MK II then the pictures above apply but if its a late MK I then the 3 fixings at the side should be 2 lift the dot studs (near the rear) and one thingy that you can turn when the hood is on (near the door).
Bas Timmermans

This thread was discussed between 31/05/2009 and 01/06/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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