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MG MGA - Wind up windows in roadster

Does anyone know of any past wind-up window conversions on the roadster? Just thought that it may be possible.
Gary Lock

Gary, there is only one car that I am aware of that has been modified in this way. Steve Simmons has photos of the car on his web site. http://www.mgnuts.com/modslate/


Bill Young

Gary,

The only practical way is to convert a coupe, because of the windscreen design. That way it is relatively easy, with the only required coachbuilding skill being the design of the hood (soft top).

If one was to go that way, perhaps a cabriolet folding style top would suit and the result would be in the same style as the old XK Jaguar drop head coupes.

This is in fact demonstrated well if you look at the difference between the XK120 roadster and the XK120 drop head coupe.

The obvious next question is; "has anyone seen or done this?"

Neil
Neil McGurk

I notice Steve's site says "Coupe converted to roadster". Its actually a roadster with coupe doors. However, the upper portion of the widow frame appears to have been removed. I'd be curious to know how the windows stay in line without it. Would also like a better look at the vent wings. On the coupe, they provide the front part of the window track. Can't tell from the picture if they've been adapted from the coupe or not.
Cheers,
Gerry
G T Foster

Gerry, you're right. It does appear to be a roadster converted to roll ups. I took the word of the guy who sent the photos without looking carefully enough at the photos! Unfortunately I don't have any better shots, as those are all he sent.
Steve Simmons

Gary, it is possible, I did it (sort of)to one of my cars (you can see the partially raised top of the window in both photos). In my case I made a new set of fiberglass doors and inner frames (still have the molds for the skins, boot and bonnet which were made as per an original 1600, and then the skins modified after) and fitted electric perspex windows. The issue of the front quarter section was alliviated by using small perspex wind wings that could be locked in place to mate up to the windows in the upright position. Attached is an old photo of the car...yes I know its modified but then this was done in the early 1980s. Also know for a fact one Brisbane MGA roadster has coupe doors fitted to it, my mate owned it when we were at Uni
regards
mark


Mark Mathiesen

Gary
If it's any help, here is a photo of a roadster with coupe doors and wind-up windows which were fitted from new as a special order from an Essex dealer. The present owner in England is only known to me by correspondence, I'm afraid, as he is to be part of a group of MG enthusiasts who have arranged to drive down to the Le Mans Classic in July, so I will meet him and his car only then. However, if there is any interest or questions I'm sure I could pass on your contact details to him.

Bruce Mayo

Why do you want to do it, Gary? Think of the loss of elbow room!
Nick

Mark, If you used roadster doors as a beginning point, How would you open the doors from the outside if the hood was up and the windows up? There are no ouside door handles like the coupe door conversions.

There is a car in the Rockford,Il area. (pic attached)While there are no roll-up windows, it does sport a custom-built side wind deflector. It had an electric door release installed. Note the button on the door panel behind the side window.

Chuck

C Schaefer

Chuck if you look closely at the pictures you will see the Corvette style flush door handles fitted. Like the dunlop disc brake rear end I fitted to a 1600, no one told me you could not do it...so I did!
regards
mark
Mark Mathiesen

Mark, I've looked closely but still don't see the Corvette door handles. I'll take your word for it. I believe I have seen this done on one other car. I have no problem with the modification, whether done in the '80's or last year.

It appears to me that the car on Steve Simmons' site and the one Bruce attached are the same car.
C Schaefer

Chuck sorry about, I did't realise it wasn't visible in the attached shots. I had replaced the door locks with a Toyota Corolla burst proof ones (my original MGA locks kept flying open if I went around a corner-quite frightening to the young ladies in the car at the time!). The original corolla lock actuator arms were then bent up to meet the door push handle. In fact the handle is a flush push down oval shape (molded from a gilette? deoderant stick container) on the horizontal surface of the door, hence you cannot see it in those pictures
regards
mark
Mark Mathiesen

This thread was discussed between 08/04/2008 and 13/04/2008

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