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MG MGB Technical - Tonneau cover front fasten position

Just before I put the windscreen back in I thought I'd better put in the missing tonneau fastener "pips". Offering up the cover shows they are very close to the edge of the dash top. Does anyone have any dimensions of where they should be fitted? Or even a good pic.
Steve Church

There are a huge number of variations in covers, fastener types and positioning. Even on RHD cars with front pegs the middle one can be in a couple of different positions, the cover that came with the car didn't line up, so I moved the peg by just swinging it across on one of the screws as it was only about an inch out, and when I got a replacement cover that still lines up. The outers can be a much bigger difference, like crammed into the corner on some, and six inches or so further inboard on others, see here http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/tonneau.htm

If you have a cover, position them to suit that. If you don't then it doesn't really matter. Don't you even have holes where they were? I thought that as from 63 the cover was an accessory, the pegs would have been factory fitted due to the difficulty of fitting them afterwards.
Paul Hunt

Hi Paul,
The car is a reshell and the PO did not fit any pegs on the dash. I have offered up the existing (original) tonneau but the holes at the front do not even reach the dashtop. The centre one is ok but the the two outside ones are about 5mm short of the edge. It looks like the tonneau has shrunk over time. I may need to try to stretch it.

I was concerned that I would not be able to drill any holes in the dash top once the windscreen was in place but the pegs go so close to the egde of the dash top that I don't think that is a concern. Hopefully I can get on with fitting the screen this weekend and worry about the tonneau pegs later.
Steve Church

Thanks for that link Paul. I've just noticed that the pegs on the dash top sit on an oblong base. Is that screwed down or pop riveted?
Steve Church

Screwed
Dave O'Neill 2

Steve
I'd do it before the screen is in. I had to relocate mine and it was a &@?!$#* of a job. Both the drilling ( with a right angle drive) and the inserting of screws.
When I ordered my tonneau from Prestige, I got them to leave the front fittings off- that way I could get the right fit.
I think there is a standard position ( at least on the early cars) but I see all manner of arrangements so I can't be sure.
My mk1 has 3 pegs - 2 for the left hand tonneau panel, one for the right.
Why do I suspect mine are now in the correct position? When I marked up the tonneau to my pegs, there were holes in the reinforcing layer of the tonneau that lined up perfectly. So I think the prestige tonneau with reinstalled fittings would have fitted ok.

I can send measurements if you like
John
John Minchin

As mine was originally LHD, it has one on the left and two on the right.

I will soon be removing the front wings, which means the 'screen will have to come off, so I will finally be able to drill some holes for another peg.
Dave O'Neill 2

Having looked at the position of the pegs a little closer I decided to drill before the screen went in. I'm going to have to add an expension to the tonneau as it has shrunk a bit, so I can put the pegs where I like. As I don't have any of the screw down ones I'm using three of the rear ones for now and therefore only need one hole each. I've been careful to locate then so I can get a nut on underneath!

So, screen ready to go on now. For anyone putting on new vinyl, mask off ALL surrounding paintwork. Spray contact adhesive does really nasty things to cellulose!! Fortunately I was able to compound it out.
Steve Church

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2015 and 08/03/2015

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