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MG TD TF 1500 - Original TF Photos

Using these photos has been a great help. A question arose though. Looking at the photo I noticed carpet on the rear deck area. Was this added by the owner? PJ

Paul S Jennings

Yes, he added this to protect the interior. He has matching panels over the carpet too. He has always been obsessed with preserving this car.
-David
D. Sander

Kens TF is absolutely amazing !!!!

SPW
Steve Wincze

Anyone have a photo of the top bows mounting point behind the door? Please remember that my car was a little compromised in some areas, so I'm a little leery about mounting anything without checking first. Any unusual aspects to re mounting the top? There is a bunch of screw holes in the wood, so finding the proper ones is a little difficult. PJ
Paul S Jennings

The proper holes are the ones that give the best fit and not necessarily the original holes, though they certainly should be tried. Best to read the advice given on "From the Frame Up". Best to do it before you fit those interior panels over the rear wheel arches.
Dave
Dave Hill

Dave, I'm close to fitting the rear panels and that's why I asked the question. Thanks for the reply. Can the bows be attached without the top/hood being attached? The old one is tattered and will be replaced with new, hopefully when the bows are in place. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Absolutely. I had to replace one of the bows on mine, which meant making one from scratch. Tested just the hood / top frame, and then with the side screen frames. You need to be darn careful with those as its very easy to scratch the paintwork. A little bending and they fitted nicely. Got them from Sports Car Metalworks here in the UK. They had each been cut out of sheet steel in one piece, with the brackets welded on afterwards.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Paul, You can fit the panels before the bows. I strongly suggest fitting the side curtains/frames, and install/fit the top at the same time. I completely installed the top (hood), then did the curtains- the top bows and mounting were a half inch too high. This left extra holes in the rear panels, and actually JC Whitney vinyl repair did a great job filling them. Best not to do that way of course. George
George Butz

I was told to not fit the bows and hood canvas until I had the side curtains in place. Of course, I didn't do it that way and I doubt the gaps will let more that 10-15% of any rain in. But that's OK Ma, everybody must get [wet]. Jud

Apologies to Simon and Garfunkle
J K Chapin

Thanks George and Jud, I will install the side curtains first before securing the top. That bit of info could save me from goofing up, thank you.

That aside, is it better to install the glove boxes before or after installing the dash? Not sure which is the best way to insert the wiper shafts through the top of the box. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Factory upholstery and hood bow paint.

Matthew.

M Magilton

Wow, is that an MG 1100 or 1300 in the background of the photo?
John Quilter (TD8986)

MG 1100 that was fitted with a 1310cc Cooper engine. Went like stink around corners. Since sold.



M Magilton

Matthew, Thanks for the photo! PJ
Paul S Jennings

Hood bow color? I'm kinda caught between a rock and a hard place and would like some input on painting my bows. The car is Jag Regency red, black fenders, black upholstery and a black stay fast top. Do you think the original color of the bows would look ok or should they be black? Remember the colors are wrong for a concurs car, so originality is out the window on color, even though the rest of the car is pretty much correct. Given that info, what would you do? Yes, tough question to answer I know, but give it a try. I'm easy! PJ
Paul S Jennings

The original colour of the bows would have been beige to match (approximately) the hood colour, so that they "blended in". In my opinion therefore they would look best if a similar colour to the inside of the hood, which I imagine will be black.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Thanks Dave for your input. The car I got my idea from for the colors, had his bows painted black. I think that makes the most sense to paint them the color of the top. If the car was MG Red as original, everything would be in factory colors. I have one red MG and didn't want another! Reason for the color change. PJ
Paul S Jennings

My votes:
Install side curtains to determine correct placement for hood rails and mounting hardware.

With a black Hood I would (did) go with black frame.
(Looking at the old black hood that was on the car when I got it I noticed "fade lines" where the frame contacted the hood. My installer & I put the "soft side" of velcro on tops of my frames. 15+ years later it seems to be working....no "fade-lines" yet.)

I'll throw one other one out here since you are getting ready to do the side panels. I cut mine and added a strip of hidem so you can easily remove bottom section to get to the door hardware for adjustments to hinges. My car had several "old mounting holes"for hood frame and it was easy to see that over the years the side panels had been bent back to gain access to the hinges for adjustment. Remove 2 screws and I am in there now.

IMHO: At some point you will have to make adjustments to the doors. I am so glad I did this as it has made life much easier. My doors were perfect for years, removed engine for a rebuild and the car sat on jack stands for weeks. When we put it back on the ground door adjustment went out the window. Drivers door flew open on way home from shop where engine was rebuilt and nearly broke my arm to catch it. The archives are full of "safety catch ideas"...pick one you like and install them ...before you need it!

David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2015 and 27/03/2015

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