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MG Midget and Sprite General - My Hood has shrunk

Hi

The hood on my 1970 Midget seems to have shrunk to the extent that at the sides it is an inch short at each side, this is a real shame as the hood is double duck and in great condition (shrinkage aside). Is there anything I can do about this or do I need to get a cheap and cheerful vinyl replacement.

Thanks PJ
P.J young

This may sound a silly question but is your hood frame spring loaded as on the earlier models? If so, attach the hood at the windscreen and at the rear then put the frame up on the springs to apply pressure. As I say, I don't know how the later (wide up window) models work, but worth a try.

David
David Wigley (MK2 Sprite)

Not the same David but you mention something that may be wrong although I very much doubt it.

PJ are you fixing the buttons around the rear before you attach the hood to the windscreen and tension it with the over centre clips. I am sure you will be but just in case.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

I have the same problemo, in the summer hood fits fine, come the colder weather it's harder to get the hood to fully fit, various expletives as your fingers take the punishment on the clips, also as mine is a very very tight fit in the winter concern that I might crack the windscreen, mine also has the later velcro fitting near the door, so is not so stretchable, thought about replacing, but might end up with same prob, anyone any further thoughts, maybe others can recomend a better hood.
Dave.
DW Warren

I cannot guarantee this will work with double duck hoods but it certainly does with vinyl. Fit the hood loosely and either use a space heater blowing in through an open door (keep the other one closed),or you can use a fan heater placed on the floor in the front footwell. This will warm the hood up making it more flexible and allow you to get it into place. While you are warming it up, don't laeve it unattended as it only take a few minutes to warm up. Hope this helps.

Bernie.
b higginson

PJ
When you say "it is an inch short at each side" do you mean short as in, it sits high above the side windows or do you mean short at the header rail? My vinyl hood has shrunk and has pulled itself up the header rail by about 1 inch on each side (despite being glued - presumably). It must have fitted correctly at some time in the past but has shrunk and the glue has not held it in position. I'm planning to use a hair-dryer to soften it and see if it can be pulled back but I'm not sure if this is possible.
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

Again, I don't have the duck only vinyl.

But after mine "shrunk" I adjusted the frame. Loosen the bolts behind the seats, and then clip the hood in place all round. Then push the frame up to take up the slack, and tighten the bolts again. No problem ever since.

The cooler weather definitely makes the vinyl less willing to stretch, maybe duck is also affected this way?
Lawrence Slater

Mine is short where the velcro is. I have fitted studs to replace the useless piece of velcro but now cannot get the studs to fit. Front to back the hood fits a treat buttons fixed at the back it clips to the screen nice and tight it is just at the sides where the problem is. Lawrence I will look at dropping the frame slightly as you suggest, that had not crossed my mind thanks.
P.J young

Lawrence, good idea never thought of that

PJ, now you see why the velcro was on there :)

my hood is a poor fit especially passenger's side, doesn't let water in but my wife complains about the draught
Nigel At

Need pic of the car with hood erected. Side and from the front, near level to the windscreen top.
Commonly caused by bent top bows, in addition to shrinkage.

FRM

FR Millmore

Shrunk....?

I'll be you got it wet didn't you.

Spridget owners keep their hoods folded in all weathers to avoid shrinkage.

Mark. :-)
M T Boldry

MT.

It's not only the hood that shrinks, it's the whole car.

When it was first launched, it was of course called the AH sprite. Not a huge mythical character, but a substantial one.

Then, by the time a new version was due, BMC realised the cars were shrinking, so they had to rename them.

Hence the Midget was born.

Lawrence Slater

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2011 and 20/09/2011

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