Abandoned car revival! MG gets a NEW soft top!

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•Flying Sparks Garage
•Emily Williams Reeves

[@buddyduncan2095]

Beautiful Mom and Daughter working on cars together

[@dennysawyer3980]

The new top looks great. One note - do NOT use Windex (or just about any other glass cleaner) to clean those plastic windows. The ammonia will cause the plastic to yellow and crack. Just soap and water will work fine.

[@trob7348]

use the same cleaner as you do with the plane

[@markgriffin4888]

Look who is sitting in the driver's seat !!! Mom isn't giving up that seat in a hurry 😆😆😆👍👍👍

[@billsettle856]

With the British Leyland cars always undo the side snaps before you lower the top. Release the header, push it back until the stress is off of the sail panels, then undo your snaps. Pull the back window backwards as you lower the top, then fold the side piece over it and lay it forward over the frame. Same thing raising the top; stop with the header somewhat vertical and attach your side snaps then pull the header down to the windshield.

[@pidjones]

The best part of all your videos is everyone's smiles.

[@zymmer4]

Rust repair on those "LBC(little British cars) is a pure nightmare..One of my MG-B's(1976) was much better than your Midget..It took me $12000 and 4 months to get it repaired and resprayed...Then I started on the mechanicals.......Good luck to all of you..Your MOM is a treat!!

[@1chish]

That 'cockpit cover' is called a "Tonneau Cover''. The zip down the middle is for solo semi open top driving!

[@tony66au]

Tonneau is a Boot/Bonnet versus Trunk/Hood deal though, Almost all Brit cars came with them because the soft tops are not the best for fit and keeping the wet stuff out but also because it rains so darned much in the UK so masochists can still drive on iffy days with the top down and not drown the interior Got to say though that Moss supplied kit looks really good.

[@1chish]

@@tony66au They were also handy when you went down the pub on a Sunday lunch. It was sunny when you went in at 12.00 but raining Cats & Dogs when you came out at 3.30. So you drove there with a Tonneau fitted and half open and then zipped it up rather than waste good drinking time fighting the cr*ppy folding soft top.

[@1chish]

@pinnedby Flying Sparks Gar... Well I am restoring a 1978 Mini which I got as a bodyshell with no floor or front! I built an engine for it but a friend's Mini seized and needed another one so we did a deal and I am now building a 1098cc with a BMW bike head on it. Some videos on my channel. (No laughing please). The car is nearly ready to go for a final blasting and priming ready for sealing and painting. 2nd bedroom is a Mini warehouse.

[@daboenterprize8265]

Awesome job and don’t feel bad I struggled like heck trying to get mine done too with out right tools but I got it done❤️ enjoy the time with mom I lost mine would doing anything to have her back

[@thomasbailey8306]

The MG is Looking Good. Putting rag tops on is a really tough job. It does work better in the hot sun. But mother nature and time doesnt always work out right. Good job everyone..

[@peggsworld5964]

MAN My heart is sooo heavy...watching you guys work on this BEAUTIFUL MG. I owned a 1974 MGB about 30yrs ago. 💞💞💞 I cant tell you how much I miss it. Dual Carbs w/Overdrive. The Overdrive was soooo sweet. Knocked those RPMs down when Highway Driving. Sun makes a big difference when closing that top...esp in cooler weather. I have a front end bra for my '65 Mustang that I lay in the Sun before install.

[@guitartec]

I believe the cockpit cover was called a tonneau cover. When I was a boy in the late 60's, my mom had a black 63 MG Midget. We lived in MA and she drove it year-round as a daily driver. I fit in the "rumble seat" in the back. Never did that car not run great. It had plexiglass slider windows, no door locks and you had to slide open the window and reach in to open the doors. It had spent most of its life in England then came here while we and the previous owner owned it, then it went back to England. It was left-hand drive with hub caps, not spoked wheels. It was a GREAT car!

[@m.rei85]

Another very nice video. Love all the family and the girl coming to the garage. Your mom's attachement to the MG is obvious and so sweet.

[@GeeenJ]

the new top improved it 100% looks much better your mum did great helping should turn out to be a nice car when its all done emily

[@marcusmaddenov2451]

I would suggest now that you have the job done, a heat gun or a hairdryer would help with stretching the material, and a drill will help with making the holes or an awl. Good video car is coming along nice 👌 👍

[@bryanpoole4749]

Just did my Jeep top in the cold heat gun was the ticket!

[@tomkendrickii]

2 beautiful women working on a pretty car. Just make sure you get the correct plastic window cleaner. I used Mcguire's on my miata. They are so easy to scratch

[@maxxmich]

love how mom likes to be I the shop and help u... make it a mom and daughter project

[@erichinkle8522]

I'm a muscle car guy but I have to say... I have driven a few MG and MGBGt's and they are a blast.

[@jonathanevans9257]

Great job! Flashback to my doing same job on my 1972 MGB MANY years ago! Minilite wheels next to set it off!

[@MrEgnorant]

My 9 year old niece watches your videos and has claimed my project Austin Healey Sprite as HER car. I feel the Mom pride I saw in this vid when my niece explains the difference between vaporization and atomization as I rebuild a carb.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

That’s SO AWESOME 😎

[@peterclapson6785]

There should be a rubber seal that slides into the aluminium track that you used to hold the fabric to the header rail

[@mikebryant5223]

I feel your pain. I bought a '78 MGB in the early 90s, top was in slightly worse shape than yours around the quarter windows. It was the dead of winter, at night, and about five miles into the 50-mile or so trip home it began to snow...Not only did the snow make itself at home around the back of my neck, I had two flat tires on the trip, and the spare was bad. AAA earned their keep! But with a generous application of money and the good folks at Moss Motors/Victoria British, I had a lot of fun with that car!

[@jonthomas8487]

To. Ray Like what the previous poster said. It’s called a tonneau cover. In British cold drizzly days you can unzip one side and then bundle up in a leather cap, goggles and nice driving gloves and sit on the driver side while the engine heat is retained under the tonneau cover and keeps your body warm while you can still drive open top. I tried it with my Dad’s Austin Healey 3000 when I was younger and it’ll cook you!

[@stevenadeau62]

Two beautiful and amazing creatures working together and nice job on the top keep doing a great job beautiful

[@bobbolieu9013]

Great work on putting a new top on. Especially since you hadn't done one before.

[@jamesbrown3358]

Always great!!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Cabrio hood replacements are always best done with two!! So much fun as you can share frustrations, victories and move on from one part to the next together. So right about the sun. A heater or hot air gun makes life a bit easier too. Great video!

[@grahamserle7930]

Well done guys, they're tricky to get right and there's always that apprehension when it comes to not wanting to put holes in the wrong spot and messing it up. 👍

[@robineniffer5578]

these cars are so fun to drive. I think that model has a 1275cc or 1500cc engine .no power house but being this small that’s all you need.

[@johnstelluto9101]

So nice to see your whole family participate on the MG project and especially your mom. Thank you very much! :)

[@johnstelluto9101]

@pinnedby Flying Sparks Gar... Hi guys, what is it you want to share?

[@larrydavidson3402]

Looks excellent, I have never done one but to me it looks like a tough job but the three of you made it look easy.

[@ericcorse]

Makes it look like new.

[@lazyhoundracing9621]

Your awesome. Thank you for your time.

[@muzzfarhussain3702]

Wow good job. 👍 From Uk London I’m in the same process on a 1962 mgb I’m having problems putting the metal studs which clip on to the soft top.. I’ve had to put pink Floyd to relax me🤪😂

[@bobbond9730]

Wow. That’s looking good. 👍🏻😎

[@spencerjhog4429]

Soft tops are a bear. Y'all did a good job. Most English drivers of rag tops have colds year round! I hope you don't have too many battles with the Prince of Darkness! If you are looking for an upgrade, Lucas has introduced a new 3 position headlight switch....Dim, Flicker and Off!

[@petergrubb3037]

Love this little MG. My Dad had one back in the mid 70's. Bought it new, and sold it for more than what he paid for it 3 years later.

[@steveferguson3705]

it would be an awesome present for your momma for christmas

[@tony66au]

I'm getting a real kick out of seeing your Mum really get involved where she can, I'm fairly sure she will be using The OMG a bit as its just supplying miles of smiles and joy. The Ragtop is looking great and has really lifted the look of the OMG, I've fitted a few Ragtops and usually had a heatgun and used 1000 watt halogen lights to make em shrink and form a bit better in winter but this one was pretty spot on from the Box! Love LOVE Love it!

[@seethebutter]

That new top looks great!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Very nice job! The little MG is lookin' better every time. What a super-fun little car to work on! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to y'all!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@ScottKirk-Notredcrew]

That old top looked like I feel before caffeine in the morning

[@a.moeglich1490]

Hey nice work! Have done something like this before with our Midget. You will be happy when everything has turned out the way you want it to be.

[@lewislewis4917]

First time watching yout channel. Good to see you working on these cars. You got some beautiful eyes.

[@chriswarne1931]

Really very nice, well done and happy days!!

[@timgroh8616]

soldering iron works well to poke a hole in vinyl.

[@richardforster9816]

Great piece. The cover you used as a paint catcher is known as a Torno Cover. It can be used just as you did, excluding paint, There may be a place for a padlock to secure when top down and you are away from your car. You can use it when you are on your own with the rest covered. So please give it a good scrub up and use a Vynal cleaner to Finnish. Love the MG, slightly jealous!

[@jag1436]

Was thinking of doing this over the winter but now I remember the hot day and Sun trick thanks for the reminder 😎

[@metman3]

Top looks great! Good on you guys for tackling that job! 👍🙂

[@normstephens8354]

Looks like you needed a leather punch. I had a 1976 Midget back in the 1980s. The transmission was its weak link, but when it was running ... it was a fun car to drive! I sold mine to pay for a semester of college.

[@mortneff4674]

nice job! I like the tray too!

[@michaelsullivan1262]

Momma so cool!

[@dhackens]

MG fun little car , I have a Mazda RX-7 convertible .

[@MM_in_Havasu]

New top looks sharp! Great job, great video! Thank you guys!

[@charlesloomis2224]

I had a little dog like that one. When I was in my house knocking out some renovations, my little Emma disappeared. I found her asleep in my 1967 MGB GT restoration project car in the garage. Sweet little dogs!

[@choppermarc2342]

Really liking this build.

[@zymmer4]

"Mama" is a Treasure !

[@timothymulholland7905]

Moss Motors is great! I bought many parts from them for my Miata, including a perfect top. My MG TD replica also got a big boost.

[@73Bugman]

Had a Midget for my first car. I drove it home when I was 14. My parents let me keep it. I learned a lot from the 948cc motor. Great content 👌

[@donjrkidd3738]

Good job guy's

[@mikalehtinen315]

Jippii and wow, nice job. Awesome video again. More such videos, I do look at them all. Greetings from Finland.

[@chrisw.p5665]

Man I love the excitement Em has when it comes to this little thing. True passion.

[@chrisw.p5665]

@pinnedby Flying Sparks Gar... A DM message, or a reply here?

[@tony66au]

@@chrisw.p5665 I wouldnt, its not Em or Aaron Buddy. Its likely a scammer

[@chrisw.p5665]

@@tony66au haha, thanks! I didn’t notice the name was “pinnedby” 🤣

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@tony66au this scammer has replied to almost EVERY COMMENT on this episode 😭😭 so annoying!! Sorry guys! Thanks for the kind comment!!

[@neilperry2224]

Cool job, Molly G is getting there, just the flintstone floors to go . Go guys

[@philstocks7859]

MG Midgets are a blast to drive, especially on curvey mountain roads. Please, please install a roll bar before you push yours hard on those roads. You might also want to look into a better than stock suspension system.

[@mariohughes2289]

Another awesome video guys thanks for sharing 👍

[@jonoffensend7519]

Good job on the top , it’s not easy to get a smooth top . Years ago I had a VW convertible, in summer I never put the top up, well on fall day I did and squirrels had eaten holes thru all folded layers. Not to worry I had a new top in a box , opened it up and squirrels had holed thru the new one

[@ntsecrets]

Those rear bolts with the chrome strip can be pita, I actually ended up using stainless steel and putting nuts on the back so they don't come loose.

[@rnfaboy]

It’s called a tonneau cover to cover the cockpit.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Oh! I’ve heard that for a truck bed! Never knew it was for a car too! Got it!

[@rnfaboy]

@@flyingsparksgarage that’s what it was called for my 61 MGA

[@derikdrinkle2084]

Top looks great. Good job on the install ☺️

[@donreinholz8121]

That new top looks great! I was going to suggest a hair dryer to soften the leather. Great job everyone! You too Finley!

[@hughstephenson2957]

Best way to punch holes in material is to heat the end of a punch awl and just melt a hole in the materials. Also a heat gun or hair drier will warm up that material where it's soft enough to work..

[@someguyonli]

Mama was (as we say in these parts) kvelling over the car! 😁

[@RearEngineShop]

It makes me so happy to see this car get so much love! 👍

[@Dennisk303]

A feller is guessing you are missing the buttonizer 6000, great job on the top, that's just.. it looks.. yep, it's factree 👌🏻

[@mattpovah5952]

I have been using a medium solution of phosphoric acid for some rust removal applications. You need to wash it off really good after the treatment, but the acid etches the metal a bit, and seems to make paint stick pretty well.

[@adrianyoung4640]

the little car is looking great

[@corydriver7634]

Your Mama is such a sweetheart. The MG is looking good.

[@cribbage1686]

Finley is the best helper ever. 🙃

[@maxxmich]

love the vice grip garage refrance

[@cheif10thumbs]

Seems like a really nice Christmas Gift for your mama....

[@patrickmitchell6631]

I have to do mine,nice to see how to do it

[@leemorgan9203]

you made it look tooo easy ! "Super Spiffy" Right on !! (nice to see Mama helping too)

[@cheapcargarage]

Hey love what you guys do! You are missing the header rail rubber on the top. It fits in the aluminum header piece with all of the screws. Also, learn how to fold the top correctly or you’re going to cut it on both sides. 1) unlatch the top. 2) unsnap all of the snaps inside and out on the top. 3) pull the top away from the frame as you fold the top frame back. 4) Fold the (ears) the side windows in. 5) Roll the entire top over the top of the folded frame. 6) put the tonneau cover on.

[@jeffsratsrodsrebuilds1535]

Looks great, I miss working with my dad we had so much fun building cars together

[@kentmckean6795]

Next time you need to make holes in a convertible top, use a soldering iron with a needle tip. With the hot iron, just poke it through for each snap location.

[@drphelps9017]

Tonneau cover.....not cockpit cover. Thanks for the video. I've owned over 50 Brits and I'll be changing out my first convertible top this summer. Also, use a leather punch. Right tool for the job

[@Musabe009]

Awesome Job, looks great!!

[@emmajacobs5575]

Good job with the soft top! There’s just a couple of things to think about to finish the job off - first is the neoprene rubber seal that fits in that aluminium channel under the header rail; second, please learn how to fold down the top properly. It’ll last a lot longer and look better if you pull the vinyl away from the frame as you lower it so you don’t trap the material in the frame. There are several videos on KZbin showing how.

[@rogerranalli8253]

What glue do you use for that seal?

[@emmajacobs5575]

@@rogerranalli8253 no glue, it just has a sort of dovetail section sticking out that fits into the aluminium channel

[@charlesschultz6797]

Such a great video, I use to own a 1981 MG, such a fun car!!!👍🙌

[@shanewright6958]

The top turned out sweet.. great job 👍👍🇨🇱

[@michelswerissen6544]

Always enjoy Finley the supervisor.

[@jhaedtler]

Tonneau cover!

[@drewgayle8325]

you should put a small folding table along side your car so nothing would hurt the car when you are working on it

[@chappy5538]

Good job looks great I did one them years ago can be a pain.

[@chappy5538]

@pinnedby Flying Sparks Gar... Really enjoy watching your guys projects

[@kentstafford2369]

So if ya wanna save that back plastic window lay an old bath towel on it, hold in place with your hand as you fold it. Saves it from rubbing against itself in the folded position which is what causes that rough foggy look. Y'all makin' me miss my old 70 MGB.

[@MrYeti111]

The new top looks great and aftwer the sun hits it some I bet it will tighten up alot . I always look forward to your videos! Maybe take Roxy for a race again

[@millcrafters]

You are smart to start out with light coats. We call it tack coats. I also want to compliment you on applying a wipe on/wipe off degreaser before beginning to paint. One other thing that is super helpful is to use an acid etch liquid. It defeats the rust after sanding it all off. We used to call it metal prep. Let it dry thoroughly for hours, and then prime. Let that dry and lightly scuff the surface to get rid of the nubs, and repeat if necessary. Then spray on the color coats. You've got the technique down pat also. Longer sweeping strokes with the spray. You guys do nice work.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Sure appreciate the tips, Bob!!

[@mrman2862]

Happy 20th Anniversary - this car is looking good.

[@iainmcglynn833]

My first 3 cars were these , actually the first was named Austin Healey Sprite mk1v and other two MG ‘a Put a roof on the first and a respray / wheels tyres hub caps and number plates. Loved it You Emily in jeans is #jeansheaven. Fabulous family entertainment 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@craigdry9522]

Hell yeah Love your videos

[@MrStacy1974]

It's nice to see ya'll take on a project that's more about smiles per hour, driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow anyway.