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MG TD TF 1500 - Door Straps

I posted a question about door straps in another thread about the TD/TF auction cars, so it probably went unnoticed, so I'll ask here.

Does anyone have, or know of, any pics of the straps and hardware/attaching points?

L Karpman

There's bound to be something in the picture gallery on Chris Couper's site. This is the only thing I could find in my collection. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

Peter, thanks, but I'm looking for the leather owner add on straps, not the OEM door checks. I don't like/trust the door checks, and I saw the straps on LaVerne's auction T Series, but could not tell how they were mounted.
L Karpman

Hi Mr Karpman
Attached photo shows the straps that I put on my TC during the rebuild 25 years ago. I didn't have any matching leather at the time and haven't bothered to change it over the years.
Peter TC9536

Peter Malkin

LK
A picture also of my safety catches - a period accessory when I was young!!
Peter TC9356

Peter Malkin

Thanks Peter. I really like the safety catches you installed. Have to hunt up some, but I think that might be difficult.
L Karpman

I don't really have any good pictures of it Larry. I basically cut some strips of leather from a belt and used some twist snaps. I stole the idea from an MG TA I saw.

MG LaVerne

Thanks LaVerne. How'd you find a belt that matched your interior :-)

I'm also looking at latch hooks right now (marine) but nothing elegant is showing up. This one is not too bad, but doesn't appear substantial.

L Karpman

Larry
My apologies. I thought that you were referring to straps intended to replace/complement the oe door checks.
With respect to locks have a squiz at: http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/
on page 5 - items PB870/1 or PB304 might be what you are looking for.
Peter TC9536
Peter Malkin

Thank you Peter. The PB871 looks perfect, but I'll need to do some measuring to see if 45mm will be long enough. I sent them an email to see if they will ship to the US, also asked for price quotes on a handed pair, plus shipping. I don't see on-line ordering or prices on their site or catalog.

I see you have a TC. I miss my '47 TC that I had in the early '70's soooo much! Sold a solid running car (in need of restoration though)for $1800 USD :-(
L Karpman

See http://www.ttalk.info/Door_Catches.htm for some that started from the forum. Bud
Bud Krueger

In one issue of The Sacred Octagon, I can't recall when, Sherwood Parker shared a latch that he found at a marine supply.
No time to go searching now, but will try later.
BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

Westmarina has latches boats.
Looking at the prices it must be good stuff.

http://www.westmarine.com/catches-latches
G D

Larry the picture above was from the TA. Might aren't nearly as nice but are functional. These are from the TF..same deal on the TD

MG LaVerne

Another shot

MG LaVerne

Below is a photo of those on a PA, but show nice detail which is substantially the same as later cars which used them. I thought the chrome bits were a nice touch.


LD Palmer

I used marine latches but if doing it again I would use LaVerne's leather strap. Here's why. The marine latch I used requires what I would call "hand pressure" to latch it closed and also a locking pin just to be sure. The leather strap can be slightly loose and still be secure due to it's design and requires no such pin! This pressure is hard on screws put into this old wood. They do not hold well over time, at least for me. More importantly, the 2 halves of a marine latch much be absolutely the same distance between the car and the door halves or the latch does not work. I had to use several shims to accomplish this. Not pretty! Leather is flexible! No such problem!
Ed
efh Haskell

You make good points Ed.

LaVerne, do you recall where you sourced the latching hardware for the strap and catch?
L Karpman

I got them at a local upholstery shop. Popular on boat covers. It was a standard item on early Sprites but the twist snap was riveted to the body. Cheap fix if you have a real leather belt to sacrifice. I don't recall the real name of the snaps
MG LaVerne

Thanks LaVerne. They're called Turn Button Snaps and grommets.

http://www.marshallshardware.com/products/productList.aspx?uid=2-141-618
L Karpman

On the page I posted:

http://www.marshallshardware.com/products/productList.aspx?uid=2-141-618

There are 3 components I would need.

1. The Turn Button Snap (SF-TBC)
2. The Grommet (SF-TBD)
3. The washer for the grommet

My question is on the placement of the washer. Does the grommet fit into the washer before the grommet is pressed into the strap, or is the washer somehow attached on the back of the strap? I think by LaVerne's last picture, the grommet fits into the washer beforehand, but I thought I'd ask.

Also, it appears that one could only use a fairly thin strap, as the teeth in the grommet do not appear very long to allow folding under after piercing the strap. Am I incorrect?
L Karpman

The strap gets sandwiched between the grommet and the washer. Just the same as a lift the dot on a tonneau
MG LaVerne

This thread was discussed between 11/01/2015 and 12/01/2015

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