[Bmcu] 57 TR3 Finally on the road and a brake question

[jeremiah at curryclan.net]

After about 5 years I now have my 57 TR3 (TS16441L) legally on the road in
Utah!!B  The car has been sitting for 41 years, but I have only had it for ~5
yrs.B  Fun to drive and little scary for someone who has never driven
anything
similar.B  My daily drivers are a 1992 MR2 turbo and an Audi allroad.B  Thanks
to
all of those who have answered questions along the way and to Mark for
running
the list.
B 
Here is my question
When I went to drive the car the other day, the brake/clutch reservoirs were
empty (or at least nearly so).B  I had filled them and bled the system about
4
months earlier after replacing the seals in the brakes and the rubber lines.B 
I
did not do anything to the master cylinders, but the pedal seemed to be firm
and
everything was working fine.B  So I added a bunch of fluid and was able to
drive,
the brakes were a little spongy, and the clutch didn't feel like it was
totally
disengaging without pumping, but I assume it just needs bled.
B 
My question is, where could the fluid have gone?B  my first thought was the
master cylinder, but if that was the case, I would have expected one of the
baffles in the reservoir to be low.B  Should I replace seals in them anyway?,
sounds like a lot of work.
B 
On another note, I tried last night to put the soft top on.B  I wasn't sure
how
to make it fit, so I tried attaching the top with the frame not fully erected
and then tried to push it erect.B  Is that the right way to do it?B  I ended
up
ripping a seam, but I guess that isn't to surprising for a >40 yr old top.
B 
thanks,
Jeremiah