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MG MGA - Coupe Interior Replacement

Am I correct in assuming that in order to replace the vinyl upholstery on the front scuttle and the rear parcel shelf in my coupe, I must remove the front and rear windows? Just wondering how daunting a task this will be...

Regards,
M.D.
'57 coupe
M. D.

Yes,the vinyl should be glued on the steel edge where you rubber window seal is.

Jean Marc
60 coupe
Jean Marc

M.D.
It is not that bad but it does take two people and you will want to get a new set of rubber moulding. If you have the origional type of chrome accent trim in you mouldings you need to be very careful removing them as they are delicate. It is the better part of a day to get them out and the same to reinstall. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

It's been a few years, but as I recall only the headliner vinyl is glued to the window flange. I think the rear shelf is loose and can be covered off the vehicle. The front just needs to be tucked in under the bottom edge of the glazing gasket, with no real need to remove the windshiels. At least that is the way I did it. There wasn't any original vinyl in place on my car so others may know better.
John

Thanks. I don't see how I could remove/reinstall the rear shelf to its metal frame with the rear window in place - even with a stubby screwdriver, my hands just aren't that small! Or is the entire rear shelf frame easily removeable?

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

On my Coupe I replaced the frt scuttle before the windshield but it can be done with the window in. The trick is to make an "accuarte pattern" out of bristol board. The more accurate the pattern the better. Then using contact cement applied to both surfaces,put a layer of wax paper on the scuttle. Align the vynil over the wax paper and then SLOWLY remove parts of the paper as you press down. If done properly there will be a well finsihed look. The portion that rises up to meet the windshield rubber (on my car) was left painted green. It is such a small area and looks stock. Perhaps not origional but still very nice. I know Jean Marc's Coupe is pretty and perfect, so he must be correct but I would base your decision on how to install it based on the desired finished results for the car.
The rear parcel shelf should be very easy to remove,completely from the car and do all of the work on your bench. Then just re-install.





Gordon Harrison

I recovered both in my Coupe with the windscreens in place. My parcel shelf came/comes out for recovering.
Kemper

What about when it comes time to install the headliner and the windshields are installed. I know the liner goes UNDER the windshield seal and is glued there. Is it possible to do this with the windsheilds installed. Thanks Gordon
Gordon Harrison

You should take the glass and gasket out to install the headliner. Getting it in wrinkle free is enough of a challenge.
John DeWolf

Front and rear glass removed for a quality fit and finish..
SJ MacKAY

It also depends how flexible your window gaskets are. The headliner, dash top and rear trim should be glued to the body flages. But if you can pull the gasket away far enough you may be able to push the new material up into the space. However, older gaskets get hard and brittle.

It's really not that difficult to remove and replace the windscreen and back windows, but as stated above, you need 4 hands and lots of patience. Also, you may be surprised what you uncover when you expose the metal under the gaskets. Be extra careful with the trim pieces, they're made of unobtainium and worth more than there their weight in gold.

Bill
Bill Boorse

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2006 and 21/04/2006

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