1975 series 2 standard hood colours

[costellj]

Hi all,

I have a 75 series 2 in Pimento red which needs a new hood. The existing is black with a beige interior. Does anyone know if that was factory standard or was it black on both sides?

Thanks all

[tonyh]

For a 1975 Stag that was standard, German mohair.

[costellj]

thanks Tony. Get the outside was black but what about the inside. Black or beige? cheers

[Lingen]

Beige.

[costellj]

thanks

[stagwingnut]

Correct me if I’m wrong anyone , all stags that left the factory had black soft tops , regardless of interior colors, regards Graham

[costellj]

By interior I mean underside of hood ... which is beige

[stagwingnut]

Oh I see , I still have the original hood on my 77 model , as the others have said it’s a beige color

[DJT]

One of these days I will have a soft top with a beige lining. Both the Stags I have owned have had unlined roofs. I believe the one on my 73 built Stag to be original as it still has the Vybak rear window. I am just reluctant to blow a grand on a roof that is only put up a handful of times per year.

[ramjam2005]

For a 1975 Stag that was standard, German mohair.

SO Tony...Would I be right in saying that Mk 1's originally came out of the factory with double duck ?

I Replaced the hood on my '72 Mk 1 back in the late 80's and took up the more expensive Mohair option which the supplier said was same material as that used by Mercedes on their SL's. ..aka "German Mohair". It has the beige interior finish as mentioned which also has something similar to a woven dogtooth or chequered self-pattern to it.

Ray

[Wheelz]

I also believe that the early Stags had black double duck covers, with black lining and 3 windows. The frames had a different type of stowage catch system to later cars, where the LH side catch was a simple but effective spring loaded type, but the RH side was a gravity hook that was supposed to catch progressively as you stowed the folded hood. The side windows eventually cracked where there was an unavoidable sharp fold, and the gravity catch stopped working when the frame sagged at that side.

'Mk2' Stags had a number of hood 'improvements'. The side windows were eliminated, and probably to compensate for the loss of light, the lining was changed to beige, which needed care to avoid being marked by grease or rust damage. The hooding material was surprisingly changed to Mohair which is a finer but more expensive material. The flawed catch system was changed and replaced by another flawed system using bistable catches that require very accurate frame alignment to stop them jamming or dropping out! Needless to say some frames were not rigid enough and some owners even resorted to moving and re-drilling the mounting points!

Both Mk1 and Mk2 hood frames were assembled using special shouldered bolts, with shims and lock nuts, but lack of attention to detail during assembly left some pivots to suffer early failures. The combination of stress riser in the 1/4 UNF bolts, and fitting of oversize shims is mostly to blame. The front riveted corners are supposed to pivot, but over time often seize due to dampness and lack of lube. These are also weak points which can eventually break. Frames can vary in strength, and some seem to able to hold their shape, but many are too soft, and can bend at the high stress points and then cause various problems for the driver.

In summary I think that the hood frame is a marginal design which, unless it has been very well cared for, now needs a complete strip down and overhaul to rectify all the problems. Why not give yours a winter treat with a little careful lubrication at all the pivot points, but don't forget to wipe off the excess oil!