MG Car Repair: convertible top, aluminium strip, pop rivet

Question
Is there any special way to remove the convertible top on a 1979 MGB?

Answer
Hi Norman.  I presume you are trying to remove the flexible cover from the frame in order to fit a new cover?  

The fixings at the rear are straightforward, so I guess your main problem is at the front.  There is an aluminium strip that runs the length of the header rail and it has a rubber seal pressed into it.  You must peel this rubber strip away to reveal about 15 pop rivet heads.  (Don't worry if it breaks, new rubber seals are readily available from Moss Motors). The pop rivets must be drilled out to remove the aluminium strip.  Next, you will find that the front edge of the flexible hood material is glued over the header rail.  You must un-peel it.  Eventually you will end up with a metal header rail, and it will be rusty, so clean it thoroughly, give it a good coat of paint, and let it dry thoroughly before you glue the new hood to it.