@Joltfreak - thanks, that was helpful.

@ Nicholasupton - I thought about using a foam/sponge tape or seal with adhesive backing.  I think I'll try to source some tomorrow and see how that works.  Even after sitting in the Arizona sun for a few hours the new seal is still too hard to get to seal properly.

Thanks for the helpful replies!

Sorry, i welded my bootlid shut on my mini....

It does seem to be a trouble area!  Somewhere around 1988 the seal was moved to the body lip around the boot opening, and no holes in the bootlid for the earlier type. I had trouble installing the early type on my 66... it was just too tight to close without doubling up the gasket between the hinge and body. Don tells me the available replacements are harder rubber than the originals. Apparently the lip around the boot opening is the same so I got one of the later seals to try....

Havn't got to it yet... anyone else try it?

I am moving all of my running gear from my '73 Mini over to an SPI-era body.  The boot lid seal is different in that the SPI seal clips to the body and the MK-III seal clips to the boot lid.  When I fully install the SPI boot lid seal I can close the boot lid all but 1/4" before the seal binds up and prevents full closure.  This is on an unpainted body so perhaps (but unlikely) having the sealing surface painted will help the seal slide into position.

Anyone have any advise on addressing the fitment issues with this newer seal?  I can post some pictures if necessary.

Thanks all!