Tonneau madness

[sprite63]

Alright enough is enough. I've now bought about six tonneaus for my MKII Sprite and have learned the differences between MKIII (early and late), MKI and MK II tonneaus as a result, , and still haven't been able to come up with the right one. The last one was listed as being for MKII Sprite and specifically mentioned it won't fit Bugeyes. it was definatelely for a side curtain Sprite ( no cutouts for the quarterlight windows) but doesn't fit my MK II. According to a local Bugeye owner his bullets on the reardeck that the top and tonneau fit into are 26.5 inches apart, mine are 29.5inches, and on the tonneau I bought the slots are 28.8 center to center. Can some MKI and MK II own post the measurements center to center for the bullet mounts so I can get a census? Thanks,

[trevor]

Why not just buy one without the fasteners, then place them where needed? It is a fairly straight forward process. Sorry, if I'm over simplifying the problem. (I have a '70 midget).

[sprite63]

Couple of reasons:
A. I'm too cheap to pay the $260 some odd price that Moss is asking

B. My car is not like new ergo a new tonneau would look out of place and make the car look tattier.

C. I'm too cheap

and finally,

D. I'm too cheap

[trevor]

OK, fair enough. Is it possible that the car has had its fasteners placed in nonstandard locations by a PO? Is it possible to use one of the covers you have and only add a few additional fasteners (to the cover)? I wish I had a mk II sprite for comparison.

[sprite63]

No, can't just add fasteners. In addition to the slots for the bullet s being too close the distance between the the front most fasteners from one side to the othe (across the width of the car) is too short, ie. the tonneau is too narrow at that point by about an inch and a half.. Its possible a PO may have relocated the fasteners (although a used top I bought fits fine) so thats why I'm looking for some measurements from a few owners of MKI and II Sprites, and MKI Midgets

[trevor]

Ah, I'm starting to get the picture. Well, good luck. Sorry I couldn't be of any help.

[dan]

Wonder if Frogarri has read this thread yet? (He's got an unmolested MK II that would likely be a good source for measurements). Maybe a PM would be helpful?

Brings up the question of whether BMC made some changes in the middle of a model year? Certainly possible (although you have to ask yourself why).

In any event, I'm with you on not spending $260 for a tonneau...gotta be a way to skin this cat...

d

[Frogarri]

Sprite63 & Dan,
Yes I've seen this thread but I haven't had the energy to do some measurements. I have a spare tonneau RED for a Mk-II but it is packed away in my storage shed. My car is in the back corner of the garage and covered so access to it is minimal for measurements. I had this book marked to answer. I will try to get to it soon, I am working on my father in-laws car where it broke down on the road the last few days. Hopefully tomorrow I will get it going again and can get back to spridget stuff. For instance I have a show this Saturday and I need new tires on my trailer for 'Ole Gray'.

[Paul H]