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MG MGA - Bimini Tops for the MGA

Now that we've moved to South Carolina we are able to use the MGA more months of the year, but found that in the heat of the summer (90-100F) we've been more or less limited to early morning and evenings.

Some of our friends on the Ocean 2 Ocean (O2O) trip to GT42 have been using a Bimini Top made by a fellow in FL, so I decided to get one as well. $200 + $30 shipping.

Just took a long drive with temp around 90 today and very happy with it! Much cooler, yet the feeling of open air you get with hood down. Worth every penny!

Here's a picture of it (and Melon) on our A...





KR Doris

How big is it when folded and rolled up for stowage? Where do you stow it? I like the idea, but for me storage space is at a premium. Viable alternative is a rag top with zip-out rear window.
barneymg

Good morning KR. I like what you call the Bimini top. Our summers' sun here in Malta is always scorching hot. It is somewhat crazy to go out in an open top car. I have seen a Triumph TR3 with a similar sun shade fitted, and it looked very smart, and more importantly, very effective in keeping the driver & passenger cool. What I really wish to know from you is how it is fitted in place. Did you have to do any modifications, or added any brackets etc.? Does it fold small enough to store it in the luggage boot when not in use? By the way my car is an MGA roadster. Thanks in advance.

Frank
F. Camilleri

Barney - it fits into a bag (see image) that is about the same size as a folding camp chair. Basically the length is dictated by the size of the top bow that fits on the windshield. Haven't tried it yet but I expect it will fit behind the seats on top of the stowed hood. An alternative would be to store the main piece separately from the smaller aluminum tubing parts.

Frank - no modifications were necessary to fit it on our '62 roadster.


KR Doris

Another picture - from the front. Compared to our hood with zip out rear window this provides much more air and is closer to the open roadster feeling.

KR Doris

How does the frame mount behind the seats. I'd be interested in one of these too.
Dominic Clancy

Dominic - it hooks around the frame for the hood/top - see the attached picture

KR Doris

Interesting. Can you provide the contact details of the supplier?
Dominic Clancy

His names is Ed Kirkland.

edkirkland@centurylink.net

- Ken
KR Doris

Dominic, I was at GT-42 and had a good look at these...I've ordered one!
Gary Lock

Hi Gary

I am now home from Croatia, where it would have been a bonus. It was so hot I had my roof up for shade almost the whole time, Dave and Laurel were as usual cool under their version of this top.

I think I will be putting one on order too.

Have fun relaxing in the USA after your walk, and greetings to Anita

Dominic
Dominic Clancy

I received my Bimini top last week, installed it and wished I'd had something like it years ago. Well designed, sturdy, and easy on/easy off. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

I agree with Marvin - this is something we could have used on many long hot drives! For the most part eliminates the need for constantly wearing a hat.

Here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, this extends our driving season quite a bit in the 90F+ sunny summer days!

Taken down and into the bag it easily fits above the folded hood behind the seats.


- Ken
KR Doris

Ken, looks like you guys must be all moved into your new home! We have been in the Michigan UP since late May and have just about finished our summer projects! Time to relax! Hot weather has not been a problem up here - just a lot of rain. Looking at the low 70s and sunny for this week. Looking forward to getting our MGA back on the road when we get back to Aiken in September.
Don Carlberg

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2017 and 04/07/2017

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