How many of us have struggled with the soft top. Putting it up never seems to be the issue. It is getting it back into its proper place. It reminds me of a sleeping bag new and the challenge to get it back into its original carry bag. I know that I spent the better part of last year and the beginning of this year trying out various methods and techniques. Most to no avail.
I have settled on this technique because it keeps the soft top up and out of the way from the carpet over the batteries and does not interfere with my seat belts. It gives me much more interior space.
WARNING: This method works perfect with the ORIGINAL MGB Vinyl tops (Boots). However, I have seen issues with many other tops made of cloth or thicker materials of aftermarket manufacturers that will not allow the top to be rolled in such a manner and one reader below has found that the window cracked on his thicker cloth top during the tight rolling. Roller beware!
MG Driving/Riding Adventures 
OK… that was WAY more difficult than my 1990 Miata. It was also a manual drop top. BUT I could drop the Miata top at a red light, from the driver’s seat: 1 unzip and drop the rear window; 2 open the two clamps at the windshield; 3 push up and back and let the top literally drop. Admittedly, installing the top cover was a separate step that could only be done from outside. Still, installing the cover was even simpler than in the case of the MG.
If you aren’t happy to hear that story, you will hate my Mini Cooper Cabriolet: push and hold one button, and that’s it. It takes about 15 seconds.
All that said, there’s a certain British charm in the process you described, and that’s nice too!
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Think of all the nice people you don’t get to meet at the side of the road putting up or down your top. It takes time with the MGB and I therefore have ample time to always meet curious interesting people and have a chat.
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Peter. I am curious why you do not use the tonneau bows which create a crisp line and a neat appearance at the forward portion of the tonneau cover. They allow the elastic straps to better tension the vinyl to avoid flapping in the wind. As well, when folding the material between the plastic windows, you will get a better result if you continue the fold all the way forward. Your hood will then stow below the level of the rear deck. Apart from these observations, a well presented primer on how to fold the hood properly. Bill
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I revised the video at 6:00 AM this morning while getting ready to leave for Montreal for MG Lunch. Thank you again.
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OMG!!!!! I used them for the tonneau cover because I was told it is for that. I never thought about using it for the small tonneau. I will do that right now. Thank you so much for this comment 🙂
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That’s the most sensible and down to earth explanation I’ve seen in 20yrs!
Thanks for that and in future I’ll ignore the conventional method and use yours….it’s so much better.
“Never to old to learn!”
Regards,
John.
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Thanks Peter. I just put a new cloth top on this fall. Unfortunately, even using the same method as yourself, I still managed to pinch creases into those plastic side windows. UGH! I think the problem is the cloth top material is so much thicker than the old vinyl top material. It was a real fight to get everything strapped in and under the tonneau. During the battle, the side windows folded over and both cracked along the creases. Very frustrating for a new top.
Also, for some reason, my back bar (same one you fight with) will not line up with the material to secure it in place. That top rear seam is SO thick with material, if I locate the bar in its correct position under the seam, I can not engage the hook clasps by the doors. And the LAD snaps? There is no way those are even close. SO, I have to leave the rear bar loose and try to shove it into the general area once the front bow is clamped in place. Its pretty annoying.
I’m actually thinking of taking the hit and junking the cloth top in favor of a vinyl one. That will be an expensive learning experience.
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I will add a warning comment immediately on this post to not do this with newer tops made of thicker cloth like material. There are a few club members who splurged for fancy tops from England, and they too cannot roll it as I do in the video. However, the plastic window should not crack. I would have a complaint about that. I am certain it is the newer materials not being like the old. Mine never cracked, even if crinkled during roll-up. It did pull away from a seam which I repaired in a previous post.
I am sorry your window cracked. These top manufacturers should have a disclaimer that although the cloth material may look nicer, it does not function the same as the original vinyl with respect to proper folding and storage.
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I have added this warning: WARNING: This method works perfect with the ORIGINAL MGB Vinyl tops (Boots). However, I have seen issues with many other tops made of cloth or thicker materials of aftermarket manufacturers that will not allow the top to be rolled in such a manner and one reader below has found that the window cracked during the tight rolling. Roller beware!
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A difficult job to demonstrate well, but to extend the life of a roof it’s worth taking care to always fold along the seams, not the windows, as you’ve done here with your lhs quarter light.
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