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MG TD TF 1500 - Help with Robbins Top: a happy ending

It turns out that 19.5 inches is the magic number for the distance from the door to the top frame horizontal. We originally used the 20.5-inch dimension found in many sources and were not able to stretch the fabric without enormous stress on the components.

We took out the front screw from each of the frame supports behind the doors, allowing the frame to pivot down. That gave enough fabric to finish up the front satisfactorily. Pivoting back up to the 19.5-inch dimension tightened everything up evenly, and I might suggest this as a potential installation method.

The top seems quite well made. Installation is not perfect, but we're happy with it.


Jim

J Barry

Jim,

>>>>> Installation is not perfect, but we're happy with it.<<<<

From that picture, that is one of the best installations I have seen!!!!! Nice and tight,,,no wrinkles ,,

Nice work!!!

Steve
Steve Wincze

How do the side curtains fit?

...
MAndrus

Jim, I share Steve's comments. That's an outstanding installation! Congrats. Bud
Bud Krueger

Jim - the rear window on your top seems much too large for a TD. Is that an optional size window that you selected from Robbins?

I know that their windows used to be smaller - like the original TD windows.

You can certainly see better out of the larger window.

Best regards

DLD

Thanks for the nice comments. The side curtains are still in the box. They will be the final restoration task! I asked about the window size, thinking I may have gotten the wrong top, and Doug Robbins said this is just what they do now. It is actually nice to have the large window for visibility.

Jim
J Barry

Hi Jim. It does look good! When you get your side curtains fitted could you please post a few more pics. I'd be very keen to see the final result. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Living as you do in Hawaii, I'm sure there are days when you'd like to have been able to drive with the the top up but getting some flow-through via an open back window.

A zippered rear window can be ordered from Robbins as I did for my TF in 1960 and for my present MGB (and will for my PA). A welcome feature on hot days like this week when temps here in Québec are in the mid-30s.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gordon, I like the idea of a flow-through window, but did not think it would be an option except as an after-market alteration. I did use snaps in the back, and thought they might provide a flow-through alternative. I haven't tried that yet. So far there has been plenty of ventilation! The car is still in California, and I have some West Coast road trips to make before bringing it out to Hawaii.

Peter, like most of us I'll use any excuse to post photos!


Jim
J Barry

I just bought a R
obbins top for mine and didn't realize a zipper option existed. No mention of it on there website. The window is also much larger than I had expected

Bill Chasser jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2015 and 31/07/2015

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