Convertible top fitting problems to MM1000

[Ted]

Previously [June '10]I posted problems I was having with my hood on my restored Minor with no reply. I read with interest the problems 'Swithland' was having with his convertible hood. My problem is different. It seems that the amount of material around the front pillar [windscreentop]also on the interior is not adequate On the outer edge of the hood bows it hasn't enough material to make it weatherproof.
When I purchased the vehicle it had been sitting in a shed with a badly fitted new top and left folded for 14yrs. Evidently the previous owner had problems fitting it up and had cut some of it in an attemt to make it fit. I have had these areas repaired by a local upholsterer but feel that the only answer would be to fit a gusset section to the area at the front corners. I would love some detailed pix of the interior fit up over the windows and doors and advice on fitting. Can someone help?[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[aseriesade2]

Looking at your hood it seems too be to narrow at the front width wise which is odd as it fits your frame okay as far as i can tell at the sides it should tuck back under your frame at the sides which it appears to do. The front has been cut far too short in my opinion i think it should have wrapped around the the front ash frame then cut back inside the car then the flap mounted further down even though again oddly it does again reach the top of your screen where it should so the flap may be in the correct place. I can't help thinking if it was me as the rest of the car looks tidy i would start again with a new hood kit, i know its a lot of expense but if the car leaks badly, which looking at that front fit i am unsure how it will ever be watertight (at the best they leak) you are not going to want to use it so it will curtail your enjoyment summer is very short in the UK. good luck Ade

[Ted]

Thanks Ade,
[1] I'm in Australia and we have plenty of sunny weather so I am not so worried about leaks as UK but I don't want to get caught in a downpour.
[2] The hood doesn't look and fit right, although I understand it came from a Morris supplier in England.
I would rather resolve the fitting problems first, even if it meant getting a section stiched to each side to make it fit, so I have some experience with fitting the top properly. I would consider getting another top then, possibly using the old one as a pattern to make another, as they aren't cheap here. Ted

[swithland]

Ted, I agree completely with Ade.

Your hood is not right at the front and there is no way now that you are going to be able to fix it without taking the whole lot off and starting again. The problem is that if the hood fabric has been cut too short, then you are not able to make it longer afterwards, especially if the hood is already very tight.

As you know, I had really annoying problems wih the back of my hood. Fortunately by extending the rear rail, the problem was sorted, but your problem basically involves a new hood due to lack of fabric.

Your car looks great. A new hood would make a tremedous difference to its overall appearance. Its nice to see the hood frame has been painted to match your car too.

In hindsight, I wish I had bought a burgurndy hood. Its going to be a nightmare keeping my cream one clean !!

[swithland]

Ted, Ive just had another much closer look at your photos.

I know my convertible is a spli screen, so it may be a little different, however my hood came in two parts. The main hood, and also a section of hood fabic made into a "slip bag" for the wooden headre rail to slip into and be glued firmly into with contact adhesive. The Timber header is then screwed to the front of the steel frame.

It is the "slip bag" that I think is wrong on your hood. I dont think there is one !! You see, the slip bag has extended ends that deflect the wind and rain away from the outer edges of the hood. I cant see that at all. The slip bag should completely encase the timber header rail so no timber can be seen at all. I would email you a pic of mine, but its currently off the coast of Malta heading for Suez Canal in Egypt and wont be with me in Hong Kong for another 20 days !! As soon as it arrives, I will snap some pics for you.

So all in all, I would suggest a new hood. They are simple to fit providing you start at the back and work forwards.

I think my hood cost about 300 pounds or so, but was worth the extra money because the fabric is the same stuff they use on Mercs and BMW's, and is very durable, soft and looks luxurious.

Cheers
Charles

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Nice car! I think the hood is missing an edge that should fold down and keep the draughts out. The bit that seems to be screwed to the hood frame on the inside 3rd picture should fold down and then have another edge that sits against the door top ( hope that makes sense!). Also usually the stitching lines up with the hood frame brackets on a 1000 hood unlike the series 11 hood below were it runs long ways.

Heres a car on ebay at the mo were the edge hasnt been tucked in properly but hopefully it shows what I mean
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 51220_2647[/img][/frame][frame][/frame]

[swithland]

Ted, Just a thought......Im wondering if the ash header rail is the correct profile.....It looks must bulkier than mine. Maybe the last owner carved one themselves rather than buying one from a specialist....

[swithland]

Ted

Ive found two pics that may help from mine just after I had fitted the hood. These are below. You can see the how the fabric at the ends deflects the wind and rain away from the car.

[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Would it be possible to wet the fabric and stretch it over ? I suggest a competent upholsterer will have a solution which will be less expensive than a new hood. Otherwise - just use the car on sunny days!

[swithland]

Ive not tried stretching the fabric wet, but would imagine you run the risk of the whole hood not closing once the fabric has dried. Is it possible to contact adhesive some close matching fabric from the inside to make the internal draft flap longer ?

[bmcecosse]

I doubt contact adhesive would last longer than 2 seconds. Any extra would need to be stitched in to get a decent job.

[Peetee]

A fan heater inside the car should create a bit of slack in the hood fabric.