MK I Convertible Top Cover Fitment

[Theorangetiger]

For as long as I've owned my MK I, the top covers, particularly the big one have not fit right and from a lot of photos I've seen, I'm not alone. The shape of the back is not a great match to the body and it always interfered with the smaller side covers when pivoted up and over them taking the paint off there.
The only real adjustments I see are being able to slide the large panel up & down where it bolts to the pivot brackets. Outside of that it all seems to be bending and tweaking.
Any tips on achieving a better looking and non paint removing fit?

 

[michael-king]

For as long as I've owned my MK I, the top covers, particularly the big one have not fit right and from a lot of photos I've seen, I'm not alone. The shape of the back is not a great match to the body and it always interfered with the smaller side covers when pivoted up and over them taking the paint off there.
The only real adjustments I see are being able to slide the large panel up & down where it bolts to the pivot brackets. Outside of that it all seems to be bending and tweaking.
Any tips on achieving a better looking and non paint removing fit?

Lots of tweaking....

The rear panel often gets bent over time from people leaning on them.. They also get twisted near the hinges at the base from being forced. The sliding latch also plays a roll in securing them.
Get the panel fully squared.. Then start twisting and adjusting the hinges at the bottom...
Dan R made some new hinges iirc to replace badly twisted ones.

Does your cars side covers have the chrome protector strips?

The joint between the side covers and rear on the horizontal surface also should have a rubber buffer strip.

0neoffive ( Randy) might chime in... He would have trodden this path many times....

 

[Warren]

There's also a video in the resource section .Look at the new resource section.
Look to see if those little pusher pieces are on your soft top bins. It's just like Rootes group to have parts show up on cars that aren't on the parts list pictures.

 

[0neoffive]

OK; I'm chiming in. Keep a larger nylon pry bar handy like the ones we use for windshield gaskets. We adjust them (bend them) every time we see them. Just one of those continued aggravating. but lovable items.

 

[Theorangetiger]

Thanks for the responses.
Warren, I couldn't find the video.
I've made a little progress and will continue fighting it. I do have the chrome strips but don't have the rubber pads. I'm not too worried about that figuring I can fit it without those for now.
I elongated the bracket mounting holes in the large panel to allow it to mount slightly higher and avoid interference and paint rubbing. I bent the back edge down slightly to compensate. This helped greatly.
My main issue now is getting the latches adjusted properly. There is way too much slop now.
I've attached a couple of photos showing the side panels. Does anything look terribly out of whack here or par for the course?

 

[65beam]

Before and after of one of my cars. Most of the bends to the large door occur to the sheet metal between the bracing.

 

[Warren]

Tim R. The Sunbeam Alpine Channel on youtube.

Here's a picture of the brackets.

 

[Theorangetiger]

Thanks Warren, The video is great.

 

[Theorangetiger]

Mission accomplished. It took quite a few of my weekend hours. The pivot brackets were bent so I adjusted to center the main panel. The edges of the side panels were way out of position but little by little brought back.
Thanks for all the pointers.