I think Jeff explained it pretty well. It used to be that the material didn't
matter much in terms of durability as the plastic window tended to turn
yellowish and crack with age. As a long time user of tops, I found that the
plastic windows would lose clarity and start splitting in about five years.
Very seldom would the vinyl itself have problems before the windows although I
did have one top on my Landcruiser where the material split while the rear
window was still fairly clear because it was a lighter, thinner vinyl. I think
the window material has improved though in the past decade because the tops on
both my Landcruiser and my MGB are well over five years old (the Landcruiser
top is ten years old) and the plastic on both are still very clear. Granted I
have learned proper care to avoid any scratching marks on the window surface
but they still show no yellow weathering at all.
Fit however may still be something to consider. The top on my 72B was
installed from the previous owner and it looks like the width was not correct,
maybe an inch to short. It is exactly where it should be on the driver's side
but is short on the passenger side, leaving a small gap above the window. I
have tried to stretch it but it still seems like it was not right (it may be
the frame however and I do have a spare one if I get around to trying it).
Tops typically ship without the header frame so you have to attach/glue the
top to it just right so the top stretches over the car, yet makes it fairly
easy to attach the header to the car. That part is just perfect on my 72B
which allows me to raise and lower it in less than a minute.
David Councill
67 BGT
72 B
74 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40
01 Land Rover Discovery SE7
________________________________
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net on behalf of LBCarCoMail@aol.com
Sent: Sat 8/26/2006 11:41 AM
To: John.Hed@faa.gov; mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: What kind of top do you recommend?
Hi John,
As you have pointed out there are several types. Both Vinyl and Everflex are
very similar, mostly in the pattern, but both are vinyl with everflex a bit
more costly. There is Canvas (Duck) maybe also called cloth. I would not
recommend this as it is not overly waterproof and will not last as long if
used
regularly as vinyl or stayfast/sunfast/mohair will. These last selections
are
about the same with mohair a bit heavier. They are all waterproof (sunfast,
stayfast, mohair) and you will find that it is much easier to put up and down
as
it folds more compactly and also in cold weather it will not shrink like
vinyl so it is much easier to put up and down. I would also recommend the
zip
down rear window that someone else recommended. This makes the car much more
enjoyable in hot or rainy weather since you can unzip the rear window for
ventilation. There are many vendors for these tops as you have seen by other
suggestions. Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Jeff Zorn
Little British Car Co.
http://www.LBCarCo.com
Also visit the premier MGA Website http://www.namgar.com
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