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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Tops

Moss sale on tops til May 4th. 33% off. Must order!! I have to decide on Stayfast or Vinyl. Vinyl is much cheaper of course. What is the experience with either type?
Art Pearse

I love the (non-standard) canvas top. The first one went 12 years, 124,000 miles, was somewhat faded and had one small tear (hat was fixed nicely with an iron-on patch. I installed a new top along with a new paint job. The second top is Stay-fast canvas, much more fade resistant, and is holding up very well after another 15 years and 125,000 miles.

The canvas top goes up or down in cold weather with no worry about cracking. Once installed with correct tension, it is self-tensioning. If it gets a little loose, just wet it down, let it dry, and it's tight again. If put away wet and down, it could shrink a little (not much) and might be a bit difficult to put up again. IN that case get it wet, then put it up and let it dry again.

The vinyl top is original type equipment, looks nice and is cheaper. You need to be careful about putting it up or down in cold weather. If you leave it stowed for a very ling time it may shrink to the point of being nearly impossible to put it up again. Always have the top up for long term storage.
Barney Gaylord

Personally I love the Robbins Stay Fast.....Beautiful top, and looks rich....
I say pay the difference, but then, it's not my money.
Edward

Edward Wesson 52TD

Here's a shot on my "B"...Also Robbins, but black
Edward

Edward Wesson 52TD

Art,
But if you want a zip out rear window in either cloth or vinyl, you cannot get this option from MOSS. Scarborough Faire supplies them, but you have to order as currently out of stock. Theirs is good value fo the money.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Peter, what is the advantage of a zip out rear window?
Art Pearse

Art

You could of course go my route with a sport windscreen. You then do not need to fit the frame and top. Instead all you need is the ($30) MGCC umbrella, tailor made for the MGA!

Steve

Steve Gyles

Very nice Steve. I guess you need a passenger to hang on to the 'brolly!
Art Pearse

Art,
A zip out rear window gives you the same air flow as with the top down but with the top providing shade. It is not as good as air conditioning but runs a close second. I bought a vinl top from Little British Car Co. It is used in the rain and I felt it would be easier to clean. It's been on for eleven years now and it looks as good as when new.

Ed Bell

Here is a recent picture.

Ed Bell

Thanks Ed. That looks good enough for me!
Art Pearse

Installed an Everflex top from Scarborough Faire twenty years ago. Still like it. And go for the zip-out window, you'll be happy you did. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

My Robbins "B" top came with a zip out window....Didn't know the "A" top doesn't.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Art,
Ed Bell has said it all. If you drive across North America in mid summer, you will appreciate the shade and the airflow. Without the zip down rear window, a roof gives you shade, but it feels like a sauna inside as the hot air from the engine and transmission has nowhere to go.
We drove a friend's A from Dallas Texas to Hot Springs Arkansas, with the roof up and no zip down rear window, and it was over 112 degrees F inside the car for about 10 hours! We drove with bags of ice on our heads to stop them exploding! Our worst trip in an MGA ever.
But if you are just driving around Toronto maybe you do not need a zip down rear window.
I believe the LBC top comes from the same British supplier as SF's.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Thanks Peter. I ordered from LBC
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 02/05/2013 and 05/05/2013

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