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MG MGB Technical - BGT Sunroof dilemma

I have a problem - 73 BGT being bare-metalled, and I need to replace a silly plastic flip-up sunroof. I love the look and memory of the original Webasto as fitted to the BGTV8 back in the day - but there's no supplier in Australia. The archives speak highly of RS Coachbuilt in London, but I can't elicit a reply from them about availability and cost.In the meantime, does anyone know whether a new "original" Webasto would be any better in practise than the current style Hollandia 400, which is available in Aus.? I'm worried about what roof reinforcing might be needed, and whether a competent upholsterer would be able to fit any of those two models more easily?? Your comments or suggestions very much appreciated.John.
J.P. Hall

John, don't spend too much time with RS Coachbuilt..I know they seem to have a good reputation in the UK, but from my experiences with them, don't bother. I wanted a NOS wind visor for my Webasto/Britax roof..I sent all the photos and measurements, as there were several models..they sent the completely wrong one, and then refused to refund my money.
If you're interested, there was no special roof reinforcing, just the four side pieces that bolted to the roof after a jigsaw zipped around a measured out square!
Gary Lock

This is a Britax glass sunroof. It's 75 x 40 cm & at the time, was the only sunroof approved by GM Australia.I think they fitted themin their Geminis.

B Egerton

Here's another pix

B Egerton

Gary and Barrie - thanks for your comments and photos. Doesn't fill me with confidence Gary, but tell me this - is the original Webasto watertight, and what about wind/road noise and/or drumming, vibration etc.? - I'm happy to spend the money, always assuming someone will sell me a Webasto, but I'd hate my romantic notion, which is based on the appearance of the black vinyl original, to be cruelled by unpleasant side-effects such as road noise or water ingress!These are without doubt my betes noir. Barrie, I should have made it clearer that I prefer the look of the old-style sliding vinyl "full-length" sunroof - but thanks for the photos, and your paint finish is impressive. Can any readers in UK or US help with practical experience of these sunroofs?? Thanks all. John.
J.P. Hall

John, mine is a Britax, which I think really was a Weathershield copy (?)..it came on the car, which was a UK import. I took the BGT to Tasmania last Easter in that 5 day rain period that we had, and it did not leak one drop...as old as it is, (25 years), it still works great..I've just had the interior lining of the vinyl slider re-done here on the Gold Coast. Regarding noise, there is only slight flapping of the fabric, but not enough to cause annoyance.
Gary Lock

John, if you go to this US site, www.slidingragtops.com , they have a range of types, including a Weathershield 40"x40" model.
Gary Lock

Thanks heaps Gary - I followed your lead, and now have more possible opyions; my main worry about the current Webasto Hollandia 400 is that it might look too "modern", whereas the Weathershield or original style Webasto (don't know if it had a model name?)represent the look I remember, and prefer. I'm going to have to make my mind up soon though - painters don't like to be kept waiting! No other thread readers appear to have fitted sliding sunroofs into BGTs recently. Regards, John .
J.P. Hall

..."possible options."...sorry!
J.P. Hall

John,

I have a Webasto sunroof on my GT v8.

It looks good however it is not completely waterproof.

Also , at speeds over about 80kph, it is noisy. Maybe a wind delector would correct this problem.

As a result, I very rarely have the sun roof open which is a shame as it would otherwise be an enjoyable driving experience.

Regards

Graham
G J HOYLE

Hey Graham - of course you're not the po who fitted the flip-up lid!-good to hear from you, as I'd lost your contact details (male menopause?). The BGT is mechanically great, as you ensured; rear suspension height and "left-side leaning" sorted, and now the paint nearly done. The Webasto, if I go for it, will finish the job off nicely.I note your comments about water ingress and noise;would the age of the (presume original) unit on your V8 be a factor? If not, you make me nervous. Kind regards, John.
J.P. Hall

Hi John,
I have a '69 gt (running 2.1 and 1&3/4 SU's)with a webasto (weathershields etc) and it's the original unit for the car. Doesn't leak, doesn't whistle but the wind deflector is a must to avoid thrumming when open. I regularly run around at (slightly above!) national speed limits and don't find any issues with it. It gets used more often than my roadster as it's a 2 second job to close rather than a 10 minute fiddle with lift-the-dots / tenax and subsequent 20 minute apology for the cussing!
If you add in the mix of road noise, induction noise, tappets and axle thump, a bit of wind noise is nothing compared to the instant enjoyment given by the (semi) open air feeling.
Unless you're going to go track racing, go for it!!
Cheers
Andy - the mg-tart
(11 MG's & counting!!)
Andrew Tyson

Good one, Andy - my feelings exactly. Talk about the "10 minute fiddle" to get the roof of the B up, try about half an hour for the TD! Lucky I live in the tropics where the soft-top hardly sees the light of day. Back to the BGT - I assumed the Webasto came with the wind deflector, but perhaps not, so thanks for the tip - I'll definitely be checking with RS Coachbuilt. This BBS is unbelievable - keen amateurs like me just learn so much, and it helps preserve our beautiful cars in an affordable and enjoyable way. Cheers, John.
J.P. Hall

Further to this recent thread, can I just ask the BBS readers this : has anyone fitted the modern style Webasto Hollandia 400 in recent years, and if so, is it a cartridge-style installation, or is it like the original-style Webasto now offered by RS Coachbuilt out of London - a fearsome looking kit which looks like a helluva challenge even assuming I can find an upholsterer willing to take it on? To their credit, RS have sent me promptly the fitting instructions (or at least some of them - I asked for the roof hole size and have not been given that info);but blimey crikey, I have 2 humble degrees but have no hope of fully understanding the craftwork involved. With no trained fitters in Australia, my heart sank when I digested the 36 pages of guff. Would love to hear from anyone with experience of the fitting process of either the RS Coachbuilt product, or the current Hollandia 400, into a BGT. With thanks, John Hall.
J.P. Hall

Er - no replies to my plea for info as to the degree of difficulty for a motor trimmer to install an original-style Webasto. I've been gathering info from competitors here in Aus, and I still lean(albeit nervously)towards the Tudor Webasto, imported from London. I've been assured that the modern version, a Webasto 400, simply would not look or feel the same, and is electric, which I'm not keen on. So it's down to me (paying for it) and my friendly local motor trimmer (who is prepared to buid it, for a fee!) to decide whether to go for it, or not. P.S. - if Andrew Tyson is still there, what part of Lincolnshire? - my folks had a place in a hamlet called Long Bennington, years ago. Thanks all, John.
J.P. Hall

I've not done one, but I can't see a professional motor trimmer having a problem. The sphincter-tightening moment is cutting the hole!

I didn't think the original style were still available (not that the navigator will let me have one).
Paul Hunt 2010

Fair comment Paul - what I'm doing is replacing a flip-up glass sunroof, and therefore enlarging the hole to fit the Webasto. The procedure apparently is to not do any cutting at all until you have the wooden frame which is part of the kit from RS Coachbuilt; the frame gives you the exact template, and away you go with your can-opener! I have a trimmer prepared to tackle the job, and another (in Melbourne) who's done one before and will advise over the phone if need be. The lengths we go to to achieve a desired end!I might post a progress report in case anyone's interested. Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

Ah Melbourne, are they still swimming in Flinders Street?
Paul Hunt 2010

Ooh you are awful. I heard you had a smidgin of snow this year - must've made classic motoring a bit chilly. Now here's an idea - take the "house swap" idea to a new level, by putting classic car buffs in touch, so that we (Jo and I) can stay in a house in England and look after someone's cars, while they take care of ours and spend time in the tropics. Whaddya reckon! Course, we'll have to wait until we retire first!Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

Now that's a brilliant idea! Mind you, we'll have to wait a while even though we are already retired, have to be very careful when mentioning the 'S' word (suitcases) and anything involving flying is out of the question for a while yet.

Indeed, coldest winter for 30 years. Mind you, Australia made us feel at home by raining everywhere we went. We expected it in Northern Queensland being the rainy season (and boy did we get it north of the Daintree), but not Alice (torrents) and Uluru! Mind you, we weren't expecting 43 degrees in Adelaide either.
Paul Hunt 2010

Blimey crikey Paul - when were you here? - we're in Atherton, North Queensland, and would have happily put you up.Next time, mayhap.To revert to my thread query for a nanosecond,I have today agreed with local trimmer that we will have a go at the Tudor Webasto, and the devil take the hindmost. I thought I might try to photograph progress, in case anyone else is faced with the same dilemma.Will post to BBS when the time comes.Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

Based in Palm Cove for five days, we travelled to Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Kuranda at various times. Part of a group touring the Eastern half for most of Feb. Brilliant.
Paul Hunt 2010

Oh yes, whilst at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Parký we avoided the Boomerang Restaurant, you wouldn't want that coming back. Also spotted a sports footwear shop called "Athletes Foot"...
Paul Hunt 2010

I'm shattered - a guru of BBS chat from the UK was just a few miles away, and we didn't know! Any other BBS readers : for goodness sake, we have spare bedrooms, pool, whatever you need, and would love to see you - we just happen to live in the tropics, and love classic cars with an MG badge. Just let us know via the attached email address. Paul and "navigator", we'll get you next time! Regards, Jo and John Hall.
J.P. Hall

This thread was discussed between 11/02/2010 and 24/03/2010

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