Bobbie Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Good Evening everyone, As you may observe, this is my first post, so please be gentle with me! I have been a tr member since the early nineties when I acquired my first tr, a tr2 (ts1067) which was pretty much a basket case, the restoration was finally completed earlier this year, what a joy! Having cleared up in my garage I found a car sized space and decided to fill it with another tr! This time a tr6 (cp75254). I have been a forum voyuer for sometime, and enjoy immensely the banter and the topics, even mudflaps! Anyhow, to get to the meat of my topic, the present mrs Bob is spending a fortune on hairspray, and in an effort to make considerable savings are considering a Surrey top, which I have observed on some tr6's when at Malvern earlier in the year. So, I appreciate that these were made for tr4,4a and 5, and that the rear deck shape of the 6 is not the same, what is involved in making one fit? Also, the originals are ridiculously expensive, I have observed Grp ones, with rear glasses and surrounds marketed by Moss and the like, what are these like, and do they fit? Has anyone actually fitted one and can therefore give an honest opinion of how good or otherwise this conversion can be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alan atkinson Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 They bolt straight on. Poolboy (Ken D) has an aftermarket one. Another guy on 6pack - Todd B(tr250) had a real one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolboy Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 This part was not hard to fit. It's Fiberglass with a triplex glass window Made by: These "studs" give you latitude for mounting: However I didn't find that the air hitting the back and top of my head was all that much reduced, certainly not worth buying for that purpose alone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 The rear of the cockpit of the 5 and 6 are identical (where it matters) and possibly the 4A too. As others have said, it fits no problem. However, unless you really like the look (and I do), it is a very expensive solution to save the wife's hair do. A Breezebreaker or even a Christian Dior headscarf would be a cheaper option Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobbie Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Many thanks for your replies guys, I had heard a few horror stories about build quality and getting a level of fit that enabled the windows to wind up and afford the same, or better weather protection that a hood would. Poolboy, I think your Surrey looks fantastic on your car, and yes the hair thing is a bit tongue in cheek, we do both like the look. This with the fact that the car needs replacement weather equipment anyway has prompted us to explore this possibility. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Remember you will also need a new hood-frame. This is a simple thing and you could make it up probably. Also on a 4A the top of the windscreen frame has a different aluminium finisher. This is because the hood leading edge locks under it rather than the hood-frame being clamped down. This may also be the case on a TR6 I dont know. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolboy Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Thanks Bob ! Yes Alan, the windshield capping strip does need to be chamged on a TR6. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Best of luck finding one of these. I could use a new one. A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolboy Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 I got mine from Moss. Would any of these work for you, Al ? http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=32881 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Moss London do keep new ones though they do need careful alignment of the forward lip to allow engagement of the leading edge of the soft section properly. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Surely you are able to use the front header rail from you original TR6 hood and mate it to the Surrey frame thereby saving the agro of phaffing about with a 4A screen capping - and at least you know the soft Surrey section won't fly off at anything about 40mph? Just a thought............. Cheers Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Surely you are able to use the front header rail from you original TR6 hood and mate it to the Surrey frame thereby saving the agro of phaffing about with a 4A screen capping - and at least you know the soft Surrey section won't fly off at anything about 40mph? Just a thought............. Cheers Andrew Yes you can but you need to know how to do it properly and you would need a custom made soft section. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lockley210 Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 The original threaded inserts in the rear deck will need to be drilled out and an additional hole formed in the deck filler section, other then that it was very straight forward fitting it to the 6. As Stuart points out ,the lip on the 4 capping is a pig to get the surrey into and I have had ocasions when it has popped out at speed Not a very pleasant experiance !! I intend to make a modification and fit the 6 header rail and modify the surrey frame to connect in the corner as Revingtons mod. Cheers Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolboy Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 I had none of those problems, no drilling out inserts or additional holes using the Microplas backlight frame. The TR4 capping went on fine; I was careful aligning it before I pop riveted it in place. I best not state the speed but my top stayed tucked in mile after mile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 The TR4 capping went on fine; I was careful aligning it before I pop riveted it in place. I best not state the speed but my top stayed tucked in mile after mile. Presumably that was an original one, its the repros that can be a problem. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Price Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Honeybourne Mouldings also make them £270 for the rear backlight and £240 for the lid they have a web site. Unit 21/Waterloo Ind Est/Waterloo Rd Alcester B50 4JH 01789 774 603 Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Damson6 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 (edited) Hi I am going to fit a surrey top to the six as the roll over bar makes hood folding a pain. I have been trawling through the forum for info and possible problems, (thanks all). Due to the price and scarcity of the original and the fact it will be fitted to a six I am looking at a fibreglass one. I have found two makers on the forum, Honeybourne mouldings and Micro Plas Mouldings Ltd. Can anyone recommend either or is there much difference? Many thanks After a look on the web there are two Micro plas moulding companies listed neither make fibreglass parts, so is this company no longer trading? Edited April 28, 2014 by Damson6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I think you will find that Honeybournes are the only ones supplying now. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete R Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I wondered about putting a backlight on my 6, but didn't think the curves looked right. As I had a good TR6 hard top I have instead cut and fixed a sliding rag top itno that, similar to a Webasto, but purchased from America for £500 including shipping and taxes. Was pretty easy to fix and most people think it looks good. The good thing about it is that it can be opened from a small crack to a 2' opening very quickly and even whilst going along if it starts to rain! Will hopefully be much better for travelling as it gives better luggage space than the soft top. Pictures attached when just installed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 2014-03-26 20.35.11.jpg2014-03-26 20.34.59.jpgI wondered about putting a backlight on my 6, but didn't think the curves looked right. As I had a good TR6 hard top I have instead cut and fixed a sliding rag top itno that, similar to a Webasto, but purchased from America for £500 including shipping and taxes. Was pretty easy to fix and most people think it looks good. The good thing about it is that it can be opened from a small crack to a 2' opening very quickly and even whilst going along if it starts to rain! Will hopefully be much better for travelling as it gives better luggage space than the soft top. Pictures attached when just installed. Nice, takes me back to my first car, Red J reg Capri 1600 GT with black Webasto roof :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I estimate the wind reduction at ~ 70% with the windows up ( Your Mileage May Vary, tall gents! ) and conversation is easy at or below 60 mph. Windows down there's no real difference to the standard convertible wind-wise. The soft top stays in place on mine unless over 60 mph in the rain; if I have to exceed this speed I found opening the window slightly stops the lift effect responsible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 (edited) Two reasons why I wouldn't fit one to my Six. 1) The curved Surrey to doesn't look right on the Karmann design. (Looks good on the Michelotti cars). I know that's amatter of opinion but deep down we all know it's true! 2) As a wind reducer it is less effective than the (far cheaper) devices that fit behind the seats. Edited April 28, 2014 by andymoltu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
simonjrwinter Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Personally, I can't wait to get my Surrey top fitted. Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3739 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Simon Good for you, it's your car & personally I think they look fine. I have considered the same for a while. Cheers Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Damson6 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Thanks all for your opinions, way back in the 70's I saw my first 6 with a surrey and I thought it looked good. My second car was a Herald and I fitted a 12/50 sunroof to that (the local agent was overstocked and I think I paid £15 for the kit, late 60's) It was great in the front seats but back seat passengers took a battering, not a problem in a 6 I know. I did have a steel hard top on the first six I owned in the 70's but didn't like it much plus it was a sod to lift off and on. So needing something to change, modify, alter, as I need to have something to do in the garage, and as I mentioned hood folding is a pain , so I am going for the compromise of a surrey top. So hobsons choice then and I will get one from Honeybourne mouldings, so if anyone has fitted one of these please let me know what your opinion of them is? Many thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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