MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

Go to Thread: PreviousNext
Go to: Forum ListMessage ListNew TopicLog In


limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: limey222
Date: April 16, 2018 02:24PM

Just finished resurfacing the vinyl portion in an off-white color. Made this from an old Snug top. Got sick of the sun beating down on my head last summer, but I dislike my soft top even with the zip-out rear window . The aim is to run it with the windows down making things very airy. Last year I used a canvas "Bimini" top which was quite well designed except that it still allowed the sun to reach the side of my head as it was too narrow. Not sure yet if I like the look of my new design, when it finally stops raining for a day or two I plan on getting the car out of my garage so I can step back a bit from it to get a more balanced view of the whole car, and see how it performs on the road. It definitely feels very study.
IMG_2084.jpg
IMG_2082 2.jpg
IMG_2083.jpg



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2018 02:29PM by limey222.


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: April 16, 2018 05:01PM

I Like It! good job. More pics when SUN SHINES


limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: limey222
Date: April 18, 2018 10:37PM

Y'know after spending all that time working on it I'm not sure that I like it's look. It's OK from the side but I'm not keen on it when standing at an angle towards the rear of the car
IMG_2108.JPG
IMG_2111.jpg
IMG_2110.jpg


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: rficalora
Date: April 19, 2018 12:53AM

I hate to say it, but to me it looks awkward. I know you have a lot of work in it but I think if it were me, I'd try relocating the back pillars to the back corners - making the lines of the back window cutout flow into them. Of course, you'd then also need to figure out how to deal with attaching it to the car.


limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: limey222
Date: April 19, 2018 11:41AM

Moving the side pillars to the back would be impossible with what I have. I would have to source another used Snugtop as a new pallet, and then as you say, the side anchors would be a problem. I think the overall problem is the way your eye ae drawn to that area of the top. I might look at changing the the color to a matt black in a small area on each rear corner to fool the eye that there is a smooth blending from the side to the rear. I'll make a mock-up on a photo to start.


Dan B
Dan Blackwood
South Charleston, WV
(1007 posts)

Registered:
11/06/2007 01:55PM

Main British Car:
1966 TR4A, 1980 TR7 Multiport EFI MegaSquirt on the TR4A. Lexus V8 pl

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: Dan B
Date: April 19, 2018 12:16PM

Draw attention to the area you are automatically drawn to anyway, and put something cool there. A chrome strip, fancy graphics or something subtle, just to make it look like you did it on purpose.


limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: limey222
Date: April 21, 2018 12:39PM

OK, I'm now really happy with the look of the top. I used color (black) on the two protrusions that gave it a strange look. I then added a chrome strip and also blacked out the rear portion of the side supports that had previously been finished in an off-white gel coat. I think that you will agree taht these small touches have made a huge difference.
IMG_2119.jpg
IMG_2120.jpg
IMG_2121.jpg



RMO 699F
Mike Maloney
SW Ohio
(531 posts)

Registered:
12/09/2007 12:28PM

Main British Car:
1974 MGB Sebring GT, 3.9 Rover V8

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: RMO 699F
Date: April 21, 2018 10:27PM

Michael..my thought is the glaring color contrast between the top and body is what draws attention to the specific angles that you do not like. If you paint the top the same color as the body, those features that you do not like now will be greatly diminished...


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: April 21, 2018 10:33PM

Yes! (Or black. Black would be much less striking to the eye.)

Jim


limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: limey222
Date: April 22, 2018 11:54AM

Errr.....it was originally black, I purposely chose the off-white color, kind of a "west coast" look, seen it done to great effect on many cars.
However, I do appreciate all of your comments and suggestions, if nothing else it does prove that we are all uniquely different. For instance I think that my black Robbins soft top looks horrible on the car, makes it look like an oversize baby carriage from the 50's. I guess I'm just drawn to out of the ordinary.
I'm actually thinking of selling my Robbins, its been on my car only twice since purchasing it new about 2-1/2 years ago..been sitting in my finished basement most of the time. I will keep my factory hardtop, which is ironically appears to be the original color...off white.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2018 11:57AM by limey222.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Summertime hardtop for MGB...just finished it
Posted by: Moderator
Date: April 22, 2018 11:23PM

Michael wrote: "I used color (black) on the two protrusions that gave it a strange look. I then added a chrome strip and also blacked out the rear portion of the side supports that had previously been finished in an off-white gel coat."

Yes, I do agree these changes have made a very dramatic improvement!

I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.


Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.