sunroof:(

[Arnoud]

Hi all,

my '63 Cooper has at some stage been fitted with a "modern" glass sunroof. I hate it and want to lose it.
I think there's 2 options: one is to try and weld the hole shut (anyone done this and succeeded?); another is to fit a Webasto or maybe even a British Open roof. Problem with the latter option is that the roof is supposed to be OEW (over Almond Green) and somehow I think the black Webasto would just look silly by contrast. Since a full respray is in order anyway I'm contemplating something matching the Webasto; meaning black roof, meaning Tartan red 'shell. The only Almond Green/Black roof car I know of is the Pat Moss car, but that doesn't strike me as an appealing combination.
Another consideration here is originality vs aesthetics and possible loss of value (if the sunroof hasn't done that already;)
Any thoughts welcome.

Arnoud

[IAIN]

another option ,retrim the folding sunroof in off white ?

[JC T ONE]

Hi Arnoud,

I had the same problem, and fitted a Webasto, this was 5 years ago.
Today I would have fitted a new roof panel.

Its not that difficult to do.


Jens Christian

[Pete]

I can only agree that a black fabric sunroof on a white roof panel looks terrible. I'd be opting for a new roof panel also .

[IAIN]

a roof panel is only £325

[Lord Croker]

Here's one solution, but I wonder about the cost effectiveness if a new roof is £325. Nevertheless, I have heard of several people using the method shown in this link.
http://www.maxvandaalen.com/cooper/roof.html

[Tim]

Now that's a talented bloke. I wish I could do that.

Tim

[cooper man]

It would be easyer to cut an old roof off another car through the pillars and re fit to your car problem will be finding a decent mk1 roof to start with. Ask your self will you be happy in the long run with anything less !

[pdaykin]

I had the same sort of dilema.

In the end I went down the new roof option.

At the time I couldnt get a folding roof which looked period - unless is was very second hand and looked like it would leak like a sieve.

I havent regretted it yet.

But who knows, maybe global warming may one day brig us a summer where I would appreciate being able to wind back a nice big sunroof.

[guru_1071]

just cut a roof of an old mini, turn it upside down and grind the pillers etc away until you end up with the original roof skin (takes a few hours)

you can then either

1) grind your roof away and weld it back on (a fairly difficult job)

or

2) remove your roof leaving a 2" lip around it, clean it all up and glue the 'new' roof on with proper panel glue

this (if done correctly) will be a strong, water tight job.

[Dr.Mabo]

Here's one solution, but I wonder about the cost effectiveness if a new roof is £325. Nevertheless, I have heard of several people using the method shown in this link.
http://www.maxvandaalen.com/cooper/roof.html

The final result is not shown. In matt primer most surfaces looking even but how does it looks like when its painted e.g. glossy black? Particularly, as the Mini roof is in a very presentable hight for everybody looking at your Mini.
To make this surface absolutely even you have to be a very good welder. And too much filler will crack after a while because of vibration and movement of the hugh surface.

I would realy go the way to change the whole roof panel.

so long
the Doc

[Jack of all trades]

Filling in the hole in the roof can be done without distortion, just find the right guy to do it!

http://tonblankespoor.nl/projecten/afge ... i_van.html

Scroll down an you see a sunroof hole being filled in and the panel used is made form scratch.

[guru_1071]

Filling in the hole in the roof can be done without distortion, just find the right guy to do it!

http://tonblankespoor.nl/projecten/afge ... i_van.html

Scroll down an you see a sunroof hole being filled in and the panel used is made form scratch.

i wonder what that cost?

[Jack of all trades]

Filling in the hole in the roof can be done without distortion, just find the right guy to do it!

http://tonblankespoor.nl/projecten/afge ... i_van.html

Scroll down an you see a sunroof hole being filled in and the panel used is made form scratch.

i wonder what that cost?

Just give him a call and he'll tell you, he's a nice guy who knows his stuff and has years of experiance with mini's aswell.

[Frogeye61]

I did pretty much the same thing with a 52 Jeep. A bit of work but essentially free except a bit of bondo. The replacement piece was from an Alfa Romeo so had a different curvature.
It's not rocket science. Just cut to fit, weld spots at a time so it doesn't get too warm, hammer and dolly to fit right, bit of filler to smooth.



The "finished" pictures are a bit large. Links:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x288 ... G_7664.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x288 ... G_7692.jpg

[skorstensfejeren]

I changed one e few moth ago. I used a hole days work, but it can be done.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1621&start=80

[999 ORX]

Wouldn't it have been easier for you to just get a union jack painted on you roof?

[Arnoud]

ok, tnx for the input. I guess welding the roof shut somehow would be best, although I'm a big fan of open top driving.
To be continued