Q: I am installing a new Robbins top on my '77 MGB. There are no instructions included. How is the loose material hanging at the rear window attached to the moveable frame bar? Any other tips will be much appreciated. Safety Fast!

Don Boudwin—Clayton, Delaware

A: A trick taught me on changing my '73 top was to leave that rear bar loose and not attach it to the top. It leaves some slack in putting the top up, making it easier (after it’s up, you then move the bar into place and it tensions the top nicely). And gives the same in taking it down.

It also reduces creases and allows you to fold the top own that reduces damage to the plastic back windows and top itself. It involves pulling the top back flat on the boot and using 3 beach towels in stowing it. Takes a few minutes extra, but my AMCO vinyl top (considerably cheaper than a Robbins) is almost 20 years old and the windows are clear and unscratched and it is only now starting to show some wear at the attachment points at the rear.

Using Velcro also gives you the option on how to handle that bar. The way I do it is to put a towel on the boot, lay-out the top flat onto the boot, lay a second towel on top of the center window, fold the side-panel windows at the cloth divider (between them and the center pane) and one more for good measure on top of the folded windows. I fold the ends of the towels such to keep them from falling off in handling and further protect the plastic windows.

This covers all the clear plastic, ensures none are creased and protects them from the frame. The last part (partially done simultaneous with all the above) is to bring the frame back and down, draping the opaque part of the top partially into the well below the frame and just the window portion, now cushioned in towels, draped over the front top bar.

The window section now hangs mainly behind the seats and is mostly hidden by the front of the boot cover or the front of the tonneau cover when put behind the seats once opened. The photos will make it clearer. Safety Fast!

Art Isaacs