Hardtop time
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Forum rules
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
- ArntyR
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:37 am
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
- Location: West Sussex
Hardtop time
Aw...hardtop went on today...
It feels like starting back to school at the end of the summer hols
It feels like starting back to school at the end of the summer hols
-
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 6:37 pm
- MGF Register Region: Midlands
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 2005
- Location: Birmingham Airport
Re: Hardtop time
A real no no in my book
Cheers
Mike.
Cheers
Mike.
- Reckless Rat
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
- Location: South of France - in the Gard.
Re: Hardtop time
Not for me it isn't! Took the car and the Mem'Sahib out for a spin today down to Grau du Roi on the Med for a spot of lunch. Fine, sunny and 25°C.
Had lunch here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5361988 ... 312!8i6656
Meal for two - 34€, Cushty!
Bloody chinese cat gave up the ghost on the way home. Type approved one ordered from Germany.
Had lunch here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5361988 ... 312!8i6656
Meal for two - 34€, Cushty!
Bloody chinese cat gave up the ghost on the way home. Type approved one ordered from Germany.
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Hardtop time
When it's on the road I'll use the F all the time, nothing beats driving to work at 5.30 am in light snow in mid February with the roof down.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
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- Bazzajay
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:29 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Coast
- Model of Car: Wedgwood SE 1800i
- Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Re: Hardtop time
That reminds me of the Winter of 1963. Really cold and a great deal of snow. I had a 1936 Morris 8 Tourer, no heater and no Tonneau. As the condensation always froze on the screen I had to put the hood down. That meant wearing a Jeep coat with a flying helmet and goggles and sheepskin gloves. On one occasion I couldn't get it away from the kerb as the camber was very steep, so I removed the spark plugs and wound it out using the starting handle. The car is still on the road, but I sold it in 1974 to help with the deposit on our first house.talkingcars wrote: nothing beats driving to work at 5.30 am in light snow in mid February with the roof down.
Barrie
2000 MGF Wedgwood SE 1800i
2002 Peugeot Partner Quiksilver
2000 MGF Wedgwood SE 1800i
2002 Peugeot Partner Quiksilver
Re: Hardtop time
My first car was a 1937 Austin 7 Ruby which I gave a chassis up Restoration in 1962 and painted it BRG with Brushing Belco paint which needed flatting with wet&dry after each coat. With a 36 mile commute with no heater , in the winter two pieces of wood lifted the back of the bifold bonnet so ram air came thru the radiator and engine bay onto the screen. This was replaced in 1066 when I had twicw ekkiy buisness trips from Coventry to Bristol.
The majority of the miles on our "F" (59 K since 2000) have been on European trips to Switzerland or Spain, Pottugal, Norway, Sweden and Italy. The car now has a HardTop or Full Tonneau with the hood in the garage.
The TOP gives a pleasant Autobahn/Autoroute drive, being silver the sun is reflected, the AirCon keeps cool and the Softop space is used for luggage.
I had a new MGB-GT (with no power steering or A/C) in 1970. Living in Belgrade and travelling to Greece, the white roof kept the car cool in the hot sun. There were concept designs for a MGF-GT but MGR could not resist in making it a high power version at a ridiculous cost way beyond the "F" market so they went for a rebadged existing Italian car.
Geoff.F
The majority of the miles on our "F" (59 K since 2000) have been on European trips to Switzerland or Spain, Pottugal, Norway, Sweden and Italy. The car now has a HardTop or Full Tonneau with the hood in the garage.
The TOP gives a pleasant Autobahn/Autoroute drive, being silver the sun is reflected, the AirCon keeps cool and the Softop space is used for luggage.
I had a new MGB-GT (with no power steering or A/C) in 1970. Living in Belgrade and travelling to Greece, the white roof kept the car cool in the hot sun. There were concept designs for a MGF-GT but MGR could not resist in making it a high power version at a ridiculous cost way beyond the "F" market so they went for a rebadged existing Italian car.
Geoff.F
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
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Re: Hardtop time
Don't remember then, I was conceived sometime around then.Bazzajay wrote:That reminds me of the Winter of 1963......
Prehistoric.................LOLGeoff.F wrote:.....in 1962.....< >........in 1066.........
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
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- ArntyR
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:37 am
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
- Location: West Sussex
Re: Hardtop time
Now there's a thought from Geoff.F: Is it a good idea to take the soft top out before putting the hardtop on? It'd save lots of squeaks + rattles and stop the hood going into fold fatigue lines.
Is it hard to do (and a pain to find somewhere to store the old hood) or don't most people bother?
Ps talkingcars reminds me of the Monty Python 'Yorkshiremen' sketch? 'Awww...we 'ad it tuff...ah used ta remember...in't septic tank in't middl o' rowd'...we used ter eat gravel... cup o' tea wi' no tea...'
Is it hard to do (and a pain to find somewhere to store the old hood) or don't most people bother?
Ps talkingcars reminds me of the Monty Python 'Yorkshiremen' sketch? 'Awww...we 'ad it tuff...ah used ta remember...in't septic tank in't middl o' rowd'...we used ter eat gravel... cup o' tea wi' no tea...'
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Hardtop time
Geoff doesn't use the car as a convertible, the only reason I see to remove the soft top is because one doesn't plan to ever use it again.ArntyR wrote:...........Is it a good idea to take the soft top out before putting the hardtop on?.....'
I am probably a secret biker, I love to drive with the roof down and live by the mantra - wipers off, roof off.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
- gerry.laing
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:53 pm
- MGF Register Region: Essex
- Model of Car: MG TF 85th
- Location: Benfleet Essex
Re: Hardtop time
I agree I also enjoy the the Tf with the hard top on during the winter months although its not fitted yet, I believe the mgf/tf is one of the few cars of its era that looks good with either option, not got round to painting one for the 85th yet.
Re: Hardtop time
The HardTop sits on the rear rail of the Hood therefore the rail from a scrap frame is needed.
The SofTop is easily removed,held by 4 bolts after removing the "T" Bar.
We have a simple pulley system in the garage to lift the HardTop so we have plenty of OpenTop motoring in the right weather whilst the full tonneau keeps the bird s*** off the Oxford Leather seats when parked.
Our other answer is to take out Ann.F"s RagTop Fiat 500 .
Geoff.F
The SofTop is easily removed,held by 4 bolts after removing the "T" Bar.
We have a simple pulley system in the garage to lift the HardTop so we have plenty of OpenTop motoring in the right weather whilst the full tonneau keeps the bird s*** off the Oxford Leather seats when parked.
Our other answer is to take out Ann.F"s RagTop Fiat 500 .
Geoff.F
- ArntyR
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:37 am
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
- Location: West Sussex
Re: Hardtop time
Ah gottit...the idea is that the hood always stays attached because it normally supports the hard top.
- Bazzajay
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:29 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Coast
- Model of Car: Wedgwood SE 1800i
- Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Re: Hardtop time
Yes, that's right, but don't forget to unzip the rear window and fold it flat, before folding the hood and fitting the hardtop. I must admit also to covering the rear window while the hardtop's on.ArntyR wrote:Ah gottit...the idea is that the hood always stays attached because it normally supports the hard top.
Barrie
2000 MGF Wedgwood SE 1800i
2002 Peugeot Partner Quiksilver
2000 MGF Wedgwood SE 1800i
2002 Peugeot Partner Quiksilver
- mgtfnut
- Posts: 788
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:22 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Wales
- Model of Car: TF 135
- Location: Dinas Powys
Re: Hardtop time
Don't know about your soft top frame, but mine has detachable brackets for the hard top. I intend removing the soft top for winter - the advantages are less weight and a big parcel shelf as Geoff suggests. The only disadvantage is access to the engine compartment - I have to get help from a neighbour to manhandle the hard top if neededArntyR wrote:Ah gottit...the idea is that the hood always stays attached because it normally supports the hard top.
Horses for courses, yes it is nice to drive about in the cold fresh air, but even nicer in warm air Best of both worlds to have the option.
Jerry
MG TF 135 - 100k
Suzuki SJ 413 - 309k
Skoda Yeti SE 110 4x4 - 131k
MG TF 135 - 100k
Suzuki SJ 413 - 309k
Skoda Yeti SE 110 4x4 - 131k
Re: Hardtop time
just how do i post photos on here ?
- ArntyR
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:37 am
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
- Location: West Sussex
Re: Hardtop time
Hmm...I didn't know about these detachable brackets, unless they're the round 'pencils' that the hardtop clip/levers sit on? (one on each side?)
The curved part under the rear window sits on the soft top frame. Mine's a TF too.
Yep easy enough to take off - but awkward to move around and store...
The curved part under the rear window sits on the soft top frame. Mine's a TF too.
Yep easy enough to take off - but awkward to move around and store...
- mgtfnut
- Posts: 788
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:22 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Wales
- Model of Car: TF 135
- Location: Dinas Powys
Re: Hardtop time
Yes, those "pencils" are the brackets, and the hard top should gently rest and seal between the black plastic trim on the body and the soft seal on the bottom of the hard top - the weight being taken by the brackets.ArntyR wrote:Hmm...I didn't know about these detachable brackets, unless they're the round 'pencils' that the hardtop clip/levers sit on? (one on each side?)
The curved part under the rear window sits on the soft top frame. Mine's a TF too.
Yep easy enough to take off - but awkward to move around and store...
The folded down soft top doesn't take any weight of the hardtop, just takes up a lot of room.
Jerry
MG TF 135 - 100k
Suzuki SJ 413 - 309k
Skoda Yeti SE 110 4x4 - 131k
MG TF 135 - 100k
Suzuki SJ 413 - 309k
Skoda Yeti SE 110 4x4 - 131k
- ArntyR
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:37 am
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
- Location: West Sussex
Re: Hardtop time
Brilliant...all that makes sense.
Those bracket 'pencils' are metal and so is the hardtop stirrup. There's a bit of creaking and rattling going on so I think I need to get something soft between them. Also, perhaps, unwind the stirrup downwards to firm up the grip of the locking levers/clamps to make the fit more 'solid'.
bigmac to post pics: I made this hardtop pic smaller (800 x 600px) using an image editor (Lightroom) - 'cos big files won't work - and simply drag-and-dropped the image file into the bottom of the message box. It gets put at the bottom of the message as an attachment like so:-
Those bracket 'pencils' are metal and so is the hardtop stirrup. There's a bit of creaking and rattling going on so I think I need to get something soft between them. Also, perhaps, unwind the stirrup downwards to firm up the grip of the locking levers/clamps to make the fit more 'solid'.
bigmac to post pics: I made this hardtop pic smaller (800 x 600px) using an image editor (Lightroom) - 'cos big files won't work - and simply drag-and-dropped the image file into the bottom of the message box. It gets put at the bottom of the message as an attachment like so:-
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Hardtop time
I'm lucky, I have other MGs to choose from if I want a car with a roof.mgtfnut wrote:ArntyR wrote:Horses for courses, yes it is nice to drive about in the cold fresh air, but even nicer in warm air Best of both worlds to have the option.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com