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MG TD TF 1500 - Side curtain woes

I have an early TD with a 2 bow top, and the correct side curtain frames-all of which are original to the car. I am also pretty sure this is the original windscreen. It has the correct hole placement for wiper equipment on the top chrome piece for early TD's.

-I hold the side curtain upholstered panel so that it is parallel to the windscreen and setting into its respective channel on the windscreen posts.

-I also slide the side curtain upholstered panel up into the convertible top where it tucks in between the two flaps.

The width of the convertible top frame itself is keeping the side curtain "upper tuck channel" to far outboard from the centerline of the car and pulls it away from the windscreen posts.

What am I missing here? I've seen factory pictures and I know this front exposed area gap is definitely not correct, and I dont know anyone local with good snug fitting aide curtains though I know it can be done. Any help is greatly appreciated.






B Darsch

What is the width of your timber ?
What is the width of the top of the windshield frame?
W A Chasser

I am with Bill. Looks like the top front wood bow is too long. The top frame should be pretty much the same width as the windshield.

Bill ran into that with one of his restorations.




Bruce Cunha

Thanks for the replies.

The top of the windscreen is 39" across.

The width of the timber is 40 3/4" across.

But what is throwing me is that the width of the convertible top frame itself just behind the timber is almost 41". I've taken pictures of the measurements for your viewing.

So even if I trimmed the timber down, I'd have to mess with the convertible top frame. For that, I can't cut metal out of the center as the securing wing studs would become out of position. I'd have to take metal from between the very corner and the threaded nut on either side to suck the overall width of the frame down. I'm capable of this but I wasn't sure if that was within the realm of normal, even on these coach built cars.





B Darsch

You got me going, as I have the hood off my car at the moment I checked my measurements and they are virtually identical to yours. My car was restored in 1975 by Naylors so I assuming every thing was correct but I have had the same problem as you over t5he years. I am waiting on a new hood, and widescreen covers to arrive so I will be interested to read all the comments before I fit it.
B W Wood

What are the measurements at the back bracket across? I believe it should be the same at the front.

The early Two Bow top had the small metal cylinder welded to the corner of the front of the frame. The later used a brass insert. I am wondering if there is any ability to move it in on the hole in the wood?

My early TD frame is split in the middle. I don't know if this is factory, but I suspect it may not be as it is not exactly equal on each side. Note in the picture that the left side in the picture appears longer past the frame than the right side. (I wish I had caught that prior to putting the top material on. I found that corner to be harder to fit the top to)

I don't have a measurement on the wood.



Bruce Cunha

this is a problem with all 2 bow hoods,
The frame is far too wide and protrudes past the windscreen seal edge,
On the 3 bow TD & TF the frame turns at the windscreen edge allowing the sidescreen to fit snugly to the windscreen edge.
I have done two 2 bow hoods and not happy with the fit,
I have only seen one 2 bow that fitted well. The owner had cut off the clamp brackets,shortened the
front frame and re-welded the brackets to fit the screen posts. not original but water and wind tight,
Do not go by brochure pictures, they are always doctored.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Take a look at the pictures of my car on this page:

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_gallery_my_mgtd.htm

Look at the images with and without the hood up and the sidescreens in place. You will have to look at the passenger side for the best angles etc.

While this is a custom job, the frame and wood should be original and was done by the leading upholster for T-Series as original.
Christopher Couper

Christopher Cooper, would you mind telling me the upholstered name if you could? That way I could ask him what he had to do if anything regarding this issue. If he could confirm what Ray is saying, that would make my path forward pretty clear.

Thanks for the interest and replies.
B Darsch

Unfortunately I don't expect he is still alive. Nothing comes up on Google since 2018 and no address etc.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/inspired-work-1954-mg-tf
Christopher Couper

Jim Silva at SureFit seat covers in San Leandro CA is one of the top MG upholsterers in the country. I know he does a lot of tops. He should be able to advise you.

You might try him. Jim is pretty good at answering questions. (510) 357-4355
Bruce Cunha

I too and trying to install Moss side curtain kit on my original frames. I am finding that the supplied screws are too short which in a way doesn’t matter cause the nuts are too big and bind against the inside of the frame and won’t turn. Suggestions where to get proper ones??
J Cosin

I ran into the same issue with an NTG curtain kit. It appears that whomever is making the nuts is using a slightly larger pattern.

I ended up buying brass 2BA nuts from British fasteners. The brass nuts are smaller than the steel nuts.

https://britishfasteners.com/nuts/steel-nuts/steel-ba-nuts.html
Bruce Cunha

And don't forget you paint the nuts anyway so steel or brass will not make any difference.

Christopher Couper

I meant to post this pic of the TF side rail last week. Brain fade took over.
It shows how the TF rail is in line with the screen seal edge and allow the sidescreens to fit neatly.
I also normally have the flap pinned to the wood for a neater fit. (I unpinned it for clarity)
Ray TF 2884

Ray Lee

Chris's point is an interesting one. I found that the nuts had to be painted after installation (top of the bolt was painted, along with the nut).

That means that they either had a jig, or our friend with the paint brush was painting each by hand.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2023 and 08/08/2023

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