Triumph Stag Hardtop

There's no doubt the the Triumph Stag Hard Top, when it's time to put the convertible roof away for winter - makes for 'design icing' on the cake for the Michelotti created 70's icon. And while TR Tony is pleased to have one with this car, the tin lid on UES 591S has been rather problematic of late.
Watch then to see what Tony does and what obstacles can get in the way, when trying to make the hard top weather tight.... and please note, purists my need to look the other way!
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[@mikeenglish6401]

Well done…… a tricky manoeuvre completed before winter!

[@paulparnell973]

Well done Tony. As you said it’s a quick fix which will see you through without opening up a can of worms. But there always seems like there’s someone out there to knock you down. Keep up the good work.

[@scotttilton1129]

Interesting comment there at the end that some people remove the pin at the rear. The Stag I bought recently didn't have that pin on it. I figured maybe it got bent or broken and planned on replacing it. I do sort of wonder if it is necessary if the other 4 cam locks are working as intended. Thanks for making this video.

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Scott - they do get damaged fairly easily and many seem to do without it once thats happened or deliberately remove it. We still have ours and on grounds of safety and just in case, I guess it's. better to have it than not..but a personal choice I suppose! All the best TR T

[@acstagger]

Rather than a (sharp) screwdriver, I used plastic a door trim removal tool. Nice and wide at approx 1in/20mm, no sharp edges, and the particular tool I used had an angle in the handle for easier use. Just walk your way along the seal - line up in one side of channel, push with tool just above seal lip until other side pops in,.... repeat until all done. Lubing and sliding will stretch the seal and may become problematic ( i.e. end gaps) when it settles and relaxes - walks back....

[@brianwhittington5086]

The correct way to fit those lip profile rubber seals is by using plenty of liquid soap. Feed the rubber in from one end and keep shuffling short sections along in turn as more is fed in. Check the rubber profile, some have a slightly different size step on one side. This is so the shallower part bends easier on the inside radius of corners. The seal track is the same as is used on the P6 Rover door seals. Some Jaguar models too, such as E Type coupe 1/4 glass . You can buy replacement sections to spot weld, or rivet on if it's rotted away, just a bit tricky to bend for tight curves.

[@brianwhittington5086]

@@ArryTheStag Hi there, found your channel a few weeks ago, and been watching a few of the old video's. Very interesting as I've done some restorations on quite a few Stags over the years. We used a locking strip glazing tool for inserting the chrome, plastic or rubber lock strip fillers used on many a classic's window seals. The Small blunt wheel attachment you get on some tools, a bit like a mini pizza cutter, would have made it easier to press that edge in. Keep a check on those rusted areas as It looks like yours is getting ready for some patch welding repairs on that hardtop cant rail in the near future. The rust can creep along unseen inside, and get bad enough to weaken the clamp lever area. When it gets too far, the front rail can actually split completely apart, and let go from the roof skin. It can bend the roof, or worse if the wind gets under it at speed. When the Stag was in production, a company called Lenham did aftermarket hardtops and Half Surrey tops in fibreglass. As to hardtop storing, you could buy a tubular padded stand, to hold the hardtop upright when not fitted. Not seen them for sale for ages, but they shouldn't be too difficult for a DIY'er to make something similar, on wheels or castors if you have room for one. Many owners used to tie the hardtop up to the rafters in their garage, with ratchet straps, if there was enough space above the car.

[@stevesankey6339]

I am sorry guys, but is this the way we are going to fix our stag going forward, To keep them on the road. And keep the water out of the car, I don't think so. You have to go deep and fix this hard top right,

[@peteredwards9147]

Try using Talcum powder, best lub for between metal and rubber