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MG MGB Technical - HOLY COW !!! It's the ORIGINAL tonneau!

My 1973 roadster car body was restored by the previous owner in 1995. He bought the car in 1994 as a barn find, where it had sat for about 10 years.

One of the very nice features of this car is that that previous owner gave me a video tape of the body restoration. He a took short video when he first got the car, and then shot subsequent scenes throughout the process, and then again when it was done.

Well, I watched that 20 minute or so video again today and was astounded to find, on the very first shot from when he got the car, that he said "the top is in great shape"!!!

Well, I knew that, but hadn't really noticed him saying it on the video, so figured it was one of the things he had replaced. Also, the tonneau looked in the same condition on the video as it is today....and is also in very good shape.

Made me wonder if these were original. So, I took the tonneau off and looked underneath. Sure enough, there in a red stamp, it says "July 1973". I could barely believe my eyes!

For the top to "not" be original, the first owner of the car, who put it in the barn in about 1984, would have had to replace it close to that time......which seemed unlikely unless there had been accidental damage.

So, what do you think? Can a 34 year old factory original vinyl top still be in good condition? The tonneau sure is so it seems possible.

Thanks,
BH

BH Davis

My 69B With 80K miles still has the original top and tonneau, still look good but the stitching is about shot and they will be replaced this year. The car was stored for ten years before the PO bought it.
DENIS4

BH,
Sure can.
Given the main reason for vinyl deterioration is lack of care and maintenance and exposure to high levels of UV it would seem reasonable to expect a top to last that long.

Pete.
Peter Thomas

I still have the original vinyl boot cover for my '65 B. It's in great shape.
Steve Simmons

I just moved my uncle's Porsche which has been in his barn since 1971. Top and seats are still in good shape after 35 years in a barn. Go figure. So yes, you've probably got the original stuff. Awesome!
Sam Good

I still have the original tonneau cover and storage bag for my 66 B. Still in good condition. The secret is to tkae care of it and fold it correctly before inserting it in the bag. My top was replaced in 1988 with a NOS Coventry lift off top. Ninteen years later it still looks brand new.

George Herschell
George R Herschell

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2007 and 19/09/2007

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