Piglet Posted June 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 Thanks to Clive and his son in law...also called Alex, I now have a hood frame and retainer. Apart from a soft top, what am I missing? Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 20, 2022 Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 The latch handles I think. Did you figure out if you have the brass / bronze keyhole fittings in the windscreen frame for the hood latches to engage into? Oh, and a header rail seal probably. I need to remember to order one of those myself, still no sign of my soft top though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 20, 2022 Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 Alex - What is your budget for the soft top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 I have none of those things but did see them on Rimmers. And my budget for the soft top is nigh on zero. However the cheapest (I know, not great) is once again only to be found at Rimmers and it's a whopping £280. Plus all the other bits...so more like £400 all in. I do love my Spitfire but she has expensive tastes! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 My number one tip for spending less money is don’t buy from Rimmers! They tend to be very fast as they hold a lot of stock, but are consistently more expensive in my experience. The Mk3 soft top from James Paddock for example is £237 inc VAT. Not a huge saving obviously, but as Tesco say…Rimmers are the only place I was able to find the keyhole plates though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Alex - As I read it the cheapest mk3 hood that I can find is at Don Hoods... www.donhoods.com ..and without the zip out back window is £156 with zip out back window £181 either plus £15 carriage and vat. Have a look. I haven't used them but they get a good write up here and I will certainly consider them for myself for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 That is a huge saving. Thanks for the info I'll get one from them! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Glad to help. I got mine from John Hill's (I think) over 30years ago as a cheap and cheerful repro put me on, 'til funds permitted better. It's still on and up to the point of typing this, still in good condition!! I must be honest, I do fancy the mohair version...but then, do I really need it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Exactly! Is it needed or just desired? And it'll do exactly what the cheaper hood will do! I've ordered the soft top. Now I need to source all the bits that make it fit the frame. Levers, bolts, pop studs etc. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 When you do come to fit it take the time to search of the various posts here to avoid making the same mistakes. Try to find someone to borrow a popper rivetting gadget from and ensure that you line up the body/hood poppers precisely.. I didn't!! Also choose a nice warm, preferably sunny day when you fit, as the sun warming the hood makes things easier. Every one else will chip in their experiences and advice. Write them all down in some sort of sequence, it all helps. Oh, and watch out for a cheap hood bag to stop it blowing in the breeze and, very important, learn how to fold the hood correctly to prolong it's life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 I’ve just bought my poppers from Woolies trim, they weren’t crazy money. Planning to manufacture myself a pop stud tool from one of the hammer style one and some vice grips. When I was looking for key plates Spitfire Graveyard Dave didn’t have any, but that was just cause he didn’t have any in not cause they almost never turn up (if I’m remembering correctly). So the breakers are worth a call there. Paddocks list them under the Stag section I’ve just found, 622240 and 622239 are the part numbers I bought from Rimmers. I’ll probably be wanting to move on my old hood bag once the new one arrives, but it is Tan and filth colour despite much scrubbing… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Good advice! I have a rivet tool and I have fitted a soft top before to a Suzuki LJ80. That did not go well. I do follow the idea of doing it on a sunny day as the roof will stretch a bit and make for a snugger fit. From a vague memory somewhere I think you fold over the quarter windows before folding the whole roof back? Never had a hood bag before but now I want one! I'm going to go off in a mo and do price comparisons for all the little bits I need. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Don hoods supply the club shop mkIII is £198 incl vat if comparing prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Already ordered one from them Pete. And now I'm totally lost. I have some idea of what I need but it's all very confusing. Do I need a R/H, L/H and centre retainer? There are so many bolts/nuts/washers and I'm not sure which I need. Do I also need the sleeves that go through the top of the windscreen frame. I think I do but...not sure! Escutcheons? Those chrome handles I need but what holds them in place? AAARGH! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 21, 2022 Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 As I have most of these things visible due to having pretty much everything but the top itself ready and on the car, I can sort out some photos for you showing all the necessary parts. Not tonight though! Normally I’d say go look at the Canleys website as their online catalogue is the best I’ve seen on any car parts website ever. But they only show the early style top so not helpful in this case (having recently bought an original parts manual I think this is cause the Stanpart catalogue didn’t either). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 Josef if you can do that for me it would be most appreciated! I really am confused here. I'm pretty sure all the parts I need are available but I don't want to end up buying stuff I don't need. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 So you need: Two handles attached with: 4 of 10-32” UNF by 3/8” countersunk chrome set screws, nuts, washers and spring washers Two keyhole plates (handed) part Nos 622240 and 622239 2 of 5/16” UNF by 7/8” fancy domed hex set screws holding down the rear of the soft top 2 of 1/4” UNF by 7/8” countersunk set screws 4 of 1/4” by 7/8” UNF hex head set screws, washers and spring washers (I think these were originally shorter) holding the frame on I think that’s everything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 on my MkIV there is a plate, about 2 foot long, that rivets along the back of the soft-top. Don't know if it's the same for the Mk3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 6 minutes ago, Badwolf said: on my MkIV there is a plate, about 2 foot long, that rivets along the back of the soft-top. Don't know if it's the same for the Mk3. I supplied one with the frame. I don't know if it is mk3 or IV, they look the same, but..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 Yeah I had seen Alex already had that part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 Ah, sorry, missed that bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 Thanks Josef. That is a massive help and it turns out I don't need as much as I thought! Clive did supply that retainer plate and I best check it lines up ok on my car. Got started on the carpets today...got the first bit (on the right side of the drivers footwell) fitted and that was nice and easy with a little trimming. Then removed the seat. Or tried to. 3 of the bolts unscrewed nice and easy whilst the 4th one (and the one farthest away) had a nut on it unlike welded ones. No idea what size as none of my sockets would fit so I managed to get the mole grips on it, and then contorted myself so I could hold the grips underneath the car and the ratchet inside...and slowly undid it! The previous owner said the floors are new and he wasn't lying. Nice to see that. Started on the sound deadening then rain bought and end to that. I'll continue tomorrow. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 I think I also need a pair of these... Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 23, 2022 Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 26 minutes ago, Piglet said: I think I also need a pair of these... Alex Yep, I gave the part numbers in my post (called them keyhole plates). Couldn’t do a good photo though as mine are under the windscreen capping! I understand the MkIII ones are not the same as squaretail ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted June 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2022 Yay! I got something right lol. Do I need these too? Says at Paddocks they are for hard tops but I have none anyway. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now