Spridget Tech Talk (MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite)
Hey all. I am in northern Virginia and thinking about buying a hardtop for my car. I have a garage and would only use the hardtop on sunny days when it is cold out. How hard is it to change to the hard and how much should one cost? I saw them new for 2500 + and don't think I need perfect condition for my needs. Looking for advice.
The "factory" hardtop, for the Midget, is a nice unit. I have one for my '72 Midget (same top your '74 would use), which I paid around $300 for, in very good, used condition. However, unless you drive your car a lot in cold weather, it really isn't much better than a good-fitting convertible top. Also, although one person can remove and install it, it's pretty awkward for one man. With two, it's a piece of cake and takes only a few minutes to install or remove. I would not, however, want to install or remove it on a regular basis.
They're often seen for sale at Import Carlisle, in conditions varying from really ratty to excellent. Prices, at Import Carlisle, will almost always be buyer-friendly and I'd highly recommend it as a good place to find a Midget hardtop.
also check www.smoothline.com as they are making the old Parish tops.
X2 Lee
I think the parish tops look much nicer than the factory tops. They just have nicer lines and aren't as boxy.
Wylie
I have a factory hard top and agree with the posters. It is easy to put on or off, but unless you do a lot of winter driving, doesn't make much sense. Mine sits tarped in the barn. You really have to own a soft top anyway for inclemental weather, so why not just use it. My biggest problem with the hard top is finding replacement gaskets.
I havent used mine in a while either. It needs abit of resortation, the fiberglass is cracking a bit and it neds new rubber seals and weatherstrip, but otherwise ok condition. The nice thing about using it is that it does provide slightly better security and reduces some road noise at speed (since it doesnt flap about as much as the soft top). The downside is that it is a bit acoustically reflective so it tends to make engine and in cabin noises louder. It is very easy to put on and take off as others have said. In the rear it bolts into place by the mounts for the convertible frame, and in the front it uses the two clamps thhat the soft top uses. I always put a towl down on the trunk when I put it on to avoid scratching the paint on the car and on the top but other than that, its pretty easy. I have thought of building a pulley system in my garage to make it easier, but thats pretty low on my priorities right now.
I just put a factory hardtop on our 61 Sprite, and we really like it - quiet, warm, looks great. Our car has no garage and is a daily driver. We figure keep the hardtop on most of the time, and drop it for pretty warm weekend days - the soft top is in the boot for emergencies.