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MG MGA - VDP corner rubbers AHH 5671 and AHH 5672

Hello,

I’m embarking on restoration of an aluminium MGA hardtop and was wondering if anyone could help with the two front corner seals for the windscreen AHH5671 and AHH5672. They are shown in the attached picture from the parts list as #19.

So far, they seem to be impossible to find but hopefully someone out there has an old one they could photograph and measure for me. Ideally I would like to get an unwanted example of an original in any condition so that I can make them myself from polyurethane or silicone rubber.

I have tried Moss, Anglo spares, Bob West, Scarborough Faire, Martin McGregor, Todd O'Dell, the roadster factory and Todd Clarke (before he died) already, without success. Any other suggestions of a supplier would be helpful.

Thanks,
Mark


Mark Wellard

I suspect you are looking for hen's teeth and will have to make them yourself although the original designer might be able to help. Lenham now near Maidstone (01622 858563) were in the game back in the day. They might have useful info. You might also find useful similarity with the Jaguar XK equivalents.
Good luck!
Roger Walker

Thanks for the reply, Roger. I agree that hens teeth might be easier but hopefully someone has the remains of an original. I have a picture from the extinct yahoo vdp site showing a car with the seal in place (cracked original), but no details of the owner. Searching for Lenham didn’t help with a company name, so a late night call from Australia might be necessary.

Mark
Mark Wellard

Mark - I will call and write up their thoughts
Roger
Roger Walker

Thanks Roger, that would be most helpful.

Regards,
Mark
Mark Wellard

Mark - I think Lenham Classic and Sportscars are now a more mundane garage and the people who might be able to help are at: https://honeybournemouldings.co.uk/price_list_hardtops.asp or https://www.brooklandscarsltd.com/
..... probably not with classic parts - more likely with other ways to adapt.
Good luck
Roger
Roger Walker

Thanks Roger, emails sent - I will let you know if anything positive comes of my enquiries.

It's very surprising that no-one even has the remnants of an original on a hardtop.

Does anyone know if reproductions were ever available (if so from which vendor)?

Mark
Mark Wellard

That's the question to put to these two players - I wonder too ... who made them for the factory ?
R
Roger Walker

Of no general help, but just saw this and it looks pristine, so they must have sourced the rubbers from somewhere

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335110108798?hash=item4e061e767e:g:L4gAAOSwfE9lS8go&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwOE%2B1YlTk7zJRyoO9%2FkDZUlOkVWfF6%2FePDx0CLXqsTBMEr7iqMu%2BLi4T1wAy5jPp9gfk3DyoOlXMy00PNmqxctyIsv5VPh4csYqb8pwqfxKTDovVeHPL0h%2FBKV850O7iDFenLW5OhST0QFcvQQ4RTzM6NxdXJBLDw7KS6a8cHarWByT4NKqHI2k3CXWgLu8JfrnWOBOcenoFX5RK7SKZzbBkzoDR5i7gl6QWVMEg06cGzK4bTsbstnSCMW8KA%2FYpGA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9rkkOiEYw
Aleks Stojanovic

I see that the Vanden Plas hardtop which was advertised as £5000, buy it now, has now gone up to £6000. Is that the going rate for one of these guys?
Bruce Mayo

They don't come up often enough to get a feel for the regular prices. It will be interesting to see if it sells at his asking price. It's certainly a nice example.

The original corner seals are absent but he header rail seal looks close to the drawing in the SPL.

Mark
Mark Wellard

My enquiries to the companies that Roger suggested didn't turn up any useful information and the person selling the nicely restored hardtop on ebay is a used car dealer who separated it from a car he sold.

The pictures in the advertisement show an arrangement of seals that might work but they are not like originals. I have been sent pictures of two original tops but it is difficult to determine how the corner rubbers fit and how they are 'handed'.

This means I'm still looking for more details and preferably the remnants of an old example that is no longer of use.

Regards,
Mark


Mark Wellard

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2023 and 07/12/2023

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