MGB: Hardtop (whats it worth)

Hey All,

Well im looking to sell my hardtop for my MGB and im just trying to find out what i should expect as a fair price. The hartop came with the car when i bought it but if the weather was such that i needed a hardtop then generally i just wont drive it. So at any rate its just taking up space in the garage and i figure there is probably someone out there that would like one. Heres the info..

The top is made by Parrish Plastics and from what i can see this company was the precursor to smoothline. The top is in good solid condition. Its a black (vinal textured) hardtop and the top surface is in excelent condition. The seals are in good condition however the back trunk seal could use some attention. It looks as though at one time it was replaced and the seam was recaulked but the caulk job was not the greatest. It should be able to be recaulked with little effort. Additionally the windows are plexyglass and have some scratches but again with some plexyglass polish they should clean up well. The top has all mounting hardware including the frount clips. Its really a pretty good top for a non "works" hardtop.

I figure i will sell it on ebay but am wondering what to expect to get for such a top. BTW its located in south carolina if there is anyone reading this thats interested. Ive heard you can ship via greyhound for a reasonable price.

Thanks,
David

The last three tops I have sold needing repairs went for $25-$100. A decent works top with the seals in place, no cracks is worth $500.

Depends on where you are...an old Parish top here in the south is worth only about $125 - $150 in good condition....Works tops are the $500 & up tops....

David: Don't count on Greyhound to ship that hardtop, unless you have discussed it with their shipping people first. Sam Chandler and I tried to ship a Spitfire hardtop last summer without success. The guy was willing and accepted it for shipment. I paid him, and then they simply could not get it loaded in the bus because of its odd shape. They refunded my money, of course, but it took a lot of work to get it there and then just have it returned. Ultimately, Sam had to have the top crated and shipped by truck freight to get it to its rightful owner. AL Bradley

Hey guys, what is a "works top" ??

JTB

The original factory, aka "works" hardtop. Became an option from 1963. Worth the most of all available MGB hardtops, they look the best, but are not as well insulated as aftermarket tops.

I would imagine there are fewer tops where you are Tony, compared to here; supply and demand.

If I were you I would just run an ad in the Columbia, or Greenville paper. It's going to cost more to ship it than it's worth.

Pony express..

Thanks all,
I guess ill probably just put it up on ebay and see what i get. At least now i have an idea what to expect.

Whereabouts in SC?

chris...I have 2 works tops on 2 of my MGB's...have sold a few over the years (won't sell anymore until I have 2 more on my other roadsters)....

....yesterday I bought a works top for a Midget for $200!

...tops are as plentiful here as anywhere, its just that aftermarket tops are cheap....I have a lightweight racing one right now for sale for $200 & can't get it! So, its gonna be the hardtop for my V8 car....

I would like to buy your top. It is worth $100 not including shipping to me.

My contact info:

Matt Slee
mattslee@olmfinancialgroup.com

AIM: Slee MR2

What can be done to repair hardtops? [smoothline] Mine has cracks on the inside running rearward from the clips... the lining has dropped down there too (my guess is clips set on too tight, many bumps and jumps, pull down on fiberglass) It just looks a little bit unsightly...

Only thing I don't like about my hardtop is it gives my car wonderful accustics, amplifying every little whistle grinde scrape screech or whatever sound my mechanics want to make...