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MG MGF Technical - Soft top question

Morning all,

My soft-top is officially ready for the dustbin due to harsh conditions (sun + 45oc + bad maintenance from previous owner = totalled). I've been told it's beyond the point of repair and would need to source a replacement.

As my hands (and pocket) are currently tied into the complete renovation of the F's cockpit, i was wondering if there are any issues in totally removing the hood. Can a hood cover still be used even if the soft-top is not present?

Needless to say i've got a hard-top in place which hasn't left the car in close to 8 months now... ; )


Cheers,

John
JW Ioannou

John,

Assuming you have a Mk1 cover, physically there is no reason why you can't use the softtop cover without the softtop present provided you simulate the tension.

But, Some thoughts,
1: The cover may not stay in place along the back part because of lack of tension due to the missing frame underneath that keeps the cover tight when all clipped in.

2: Flapping because the hold down clips (which normally are the highest point of the softtop assembly when folded), will be missing which ususally keep the 2 corners of the cover taught. Maybe put some sort of rigid packing under the cover to hold it up to take the place of the clips.?

3: What happens if you are out driving far from home on a nice sunny day but then the weather turns bad and it starts to pour down with rain? it would be difficult to drive home holding an umbrella in one hand and trying to change gears and steer with the other :-)


Cheers,
Branko.


Branko

Branko, John is in Cyprus. The weather does not 'turn bad'. It may snow in the Troodos mountains in winter, but you can go straight from skiing to swimming in the Med on the same day. I was there for two weeks in May/June 1998 and there was no possability of it raining. It will probably not rain before December.
Neil Courtney

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but i have to laugh! Had a vivid image of holding up an umbrella and driving through town... LMAO!!!!!

Branko and Neil... Just to put the record straight regarding the weather here, follow this thread ; )

http://www.xpower-mg.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24217

Now... Branko, as for the umbrella aspect, there's no need for a soft-top as i haven't removed my hard-top in close to a year now. Sounds stupid on my behalf living in a country that is drenched with sun (most of the time), but i'm the fussiest owner you could come across. If this country is reknown for one thing, that's DUST!!! It get's everywhere! 5 mins with the hood down and all the scrubbing in the world won't get rid of the dust in the grooves and cracks. So it's hard-top and a/c for me : )

But thanks for the ideas though regarding the removal issue... like the idea of rigid packaging...

Cheers guys!
JW Ioannou

Neil, John,

Living in Melbourne, (Australia) makes one "jumpy" at the weather. It also makes one prepared as well.
(Umbrella stored in the boot in summer!!)

Melbourne can have 4 different seasons occuring in one day.!

Cheers,
Branko.
Branko

<<< harsh conditions - sun + 45oc >>>

I'd find that really harsh - basking in the sun and 45oC !!

LOL !

Fiona :0)
Fiona

This thread was discussed on 02/06/2005

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