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MG MGA - Tool roll strap

Within the boot on the rear bulkhead there are locations to thread two straps that carry the tool roll sitting over the spare wheel. I've never seen any details of these straps and I think most MGA's don't have them fitted. Is it possible to make the straps with some buckles and webbing?
J H Cole

Yes, and check out the MGA Guru site for details of different straps and their fitting.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Also available from Moss, part number AAA4528 if you have 33 odd quid spare!
Neil McGurk

Thanks PT ,found it on Barneys site but there is only a general reference. NM- £33!!!! they surely can't be worth more than a fiver a time. I'm sure it must be possible to make presentable straps. I wonder if anyone has originals that could be measured for length and width etc.
J H Cole

Hi JH - yes I thought £33 to be over the top. I decided to use leather straps instead and found some 60 year old ones on ebay for a fiver!
Cam Cunningham

Check "Clarke Spares and Restorations" in Doylestown, PA. Marv Stuart
Marvin Stuart

I have an original pair that I will measure up.
Neil McGurk

J.H. I have a strap which I believe is original: it certainly looks like the ones shown on page 32 of Clausager. The black strap material is exactly one inch wide and twenty inches long (20.5" to the buckle end) The buckle itself appears to have been stamped from 16 gauge steel with the centre cross piece bent around to capture the 1/8" diameter buckle guide. There are two rivet type fasteners fixing the end of the material at the buckle end and the other end has a steel grip crimped on to prevent the strap material from fraying. See the photos. Mike

m.j. moore

And the second one.

m.j. moore

Sorry I think these two photos are the same - try this one.

m.j. moore

Yes, that saved me a job, mine are exactly the same.
Neil McGurk

Thanks guys, I think I have enough to work on now and have a go at making them. I don't think you can buy that black canvas strap material any more and it may have to be synthetic but but if I can locate a buckle then I'm in business.
J H Cole

OK John,

Here's a source for webbing and buckles!

http://www.protak.com/NewFiles/Bucklesetc...html

see Roco buckle at the bottom of the buckles section.

It's bright finished and not exactly like the original.


And an alternative end tidy:

http://shop.strato.com/epages/62030035.sf/?ObjectPath=./Products/end25&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal&Locale=en_GB

Ditto the above regarding appearance

And finally the rivets:

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/rivets.html

First item on the list.

Personally, I expect, even with the modern webbing and the bright plated fittings, the straps would look fine on any show car, bar a Pebble Beach competitor. (And are probably as authentic as the Moss repros!)

Neil McGurk

Neil, just checked back on this thread - many thanks for your leads.
John
J H Cole

Neil, That was good searching. I had managed to find the 1" cotton webbing (albeit olive green), the rivets and the roko end tips, exact pattern as original, see the M1 carbine sling at
http://www.htc-reproductions.co.uk/american_ww2_items.htm but I had drawn a blank on the roko buckles. As you say they are not quite the same (in fact they look better) but close enough not to get you making your own from sheet metal. I got a reply from them and they are prepared to dig out some separate end tips for me. Mike
m.j. moore

This thread was discussed between 20/02/2009 and 04/03/2009

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