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MG TD TF 1500 - Side curtain woes

I have researched the archives. I have raised the 'size' questions before here but I still don't know (enough) about these abominations. I now have three complete sets: the ones that came with the car which ill fit, are hard to install and really can't get the nuts to engage properly, black canvas that is worn and 'has to go'. The TF set I bought a few months ago, not knowing that they were TFs, which are georgeous, the right color - tan stayfast- but have to go. The white vinyl set (which I am about to dye tan) I just got which is probably for a TC (HAS the patent label, original black paint) which is hard to get quite right with the nuts, again, but darned-near fits. For more confusion, I will probably 'win' the tan set (coverings only) on eBay later today. I say right here that mine is a 2-bow TD. I read everywhere here that 2-bows have the lower profile but the ones that came with and the white vinyl sets are BOTH measuring the 10 1/2 inches in the frame but the white vinyl set fits much better because the fabric extends further by 3/4 inch. This is good except for the front edge which won't tuck in behind the windscreen piller by a half inch. THEN I have a spare rear frame only which is much lower profile than the two that almost fit of the non-TF ones. It IS TD but for what?, I don't know. My conclusing is that the people who designed these came from -not England- a place where it never rained, the Negev deasert or something. We, here in Atlanta, differently and delightfully, have been getting heaps of warm, gentle rain for a couple of weeks interspersed with mild, sunny days. I guess that this is a rant rather than a question. Thanks.

John, '52 MkII
John Redman

I have been going through a learning curve on these and putting aside the 2-3 bow issues or possiblilty that the small rear pieces could be for a Morgan, or MG midget/Sprite I have learned this from Malcom Greens's book and talking to people.

The best way to fit side curtains ( and they need to be individually fitted to each car ) is after the top is installed. They fabric part comes (stiffened by the plastic windows), pre bound, but without the windows cut.

The installer needs to put the metal frames on the car and then hold up the fabric part so that it seals under the flap on the top, mark the inside for the frame attachment, and then install the frame. Then re-install the entire assembly and put the metal strips on, and cut the fabric, carefully, for the windows.

You can make new one's yourself, with a sewing machine that can sew through this heavy of a fabric. The binding is a little tough. The stayfast may be bought from trim shops in every major city.

I am not surpised that purchased used side curtains don't fit your car, as they were 'made' for a different one. There was still a lot of real craftsmenship in these cars. You can see that the 'assembly line' didn't move very fast. These were largely hand built cars by todays standards.

My grandfather worked at the Pierce-Arrow factory in Buffalo,NY doing tops, and it was the same in this country in that time frame. He was a real craftsman.
Larry Ayres

Even the ones "made" for indvidual cars don't fit the best... Mine I'm sure are the originals, but could use at least an extra inch of fabric on the bottoms and the rear (of the front ones).
My TF top (replaced in '67 and with the slight pink cast) had the flaps along the side sewn shut so the curtains can't fit under it.... The new one I bought has them as actual flaps so that should help.
I will trace the rears if you want and send you the tracing, although I have a 3 bow top!

(Being designed in England doesn't mean anyone took into account the actual weather...!!!!)
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Larry's suggestion that the side curtains have to be fit to the frames after the top is installed and erected is absolutely correct. In his book, The Complete MG TD Restoration Manual, Horst Schach explains how to install the material in a very straight forward manner that makes perfect sense. I didn't have the book when I originally installed the fabric on the frames for our TD and we always got rain in the face when driving in the rain with the side curtains installed. After getting Horst's book several years ago and installing a net top, I took a new look at the side curtains with the knowledge gained from his book. I immediately saw the problem and with a big pair of scissors and a marine canvas shop, reshaped the fabric so it fit properly. We now stay dry even in the hardest rain when driving. I believe that proper fitting of the fabric is far more important than which frame is being used. John, as for the holding studs and nuts being hard to get in to the frames when installing them, that is a result of the studs not being in the proper position for the frames. On our TD, the passenger side frames slide right on with no problem at all, while the driver's side frames have to be installed using BF&BI. The reason is that the hold down studs on the driver's side are not positioned properly, something that I will correct if and when I have to replace the interior trim someday. In the mean time, I'll just continue to use a little force to get the frames in place. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Boy, do I know why I like this board. Thanks and I AM about to change the interior - to tan - so I can solve the allignment problem then. Anybody know if the side curtain Patent Number Plate is available?

John
John Redman

>Anybody know if the side curtain Patent Number Plate is available?

Moss part #408-755

I have it on my TF side curtains, which have never left their storage compartment since I put them in there last summer. They've only ever been on the car for the test fitting. I'm thinking in this climate it was kind of a waste of time and money to do them, but the car does look nice with them on. Maybe I'll dig them out for the spring GOF in Salado to display the car.

I can't imagine driving the car with them on, as my visibility would be so limited.
Mark B.

Nothing is "cooler" then having your half tonneau on with the side curtains up.... ooooooooooo
gordon lawson

I agree totally with the comments that the material must be fitted to the frames with the top up. I also fitted the frames themselves to the car with the top up and ensured that the frames were centralized in the openings and the same side to side. Only then did I clip the covers in place (clips allowed me to draw a faint pencil line around the inside of the frame before fastening permanently) ensuring that there was a good line along the windshield, along the top of the door and up under the flap on the top. This was fiddely but paid off with a good fit....almost too good as we ran with them in place last year for a short period when there was a slight drizzle. I couldn't believe how hot and stuffy it got in the car, even without a heater!

We now run with the top down and sidescreens stored (best way to go!), top up with just the rear screens in place or top down and side screens in place. Much more comfortable. A picture of the car with side curtains up is on my web site, they were taken down shortly after this picture.

http://www.island.net/~btsmith/

Brian
Brian Smith

This thread was discussed between 29/01/2006 and 30/01/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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