Is the roof on an Elf and a Mk 1 the same?

[rolesyboy]

Hi Folks, I have been offered the roof from an Elf (year unknown) for my Mk 1 shell (pillars and all) The headlining appears to be the same as a Mk 3 Mini i.e doesnt come out as 2 solid removable panels, but it has piano hinge holes and looks about right form the photos. The roof is a long way from me and the bloke describing it is not up on Minis.
Does anybody know if they are the same roof with a different headliner? I cant keep asking the seller the same questions. He thinks I am mental. Cheers. Mark

[surfblue63]

If the Elf had internal hinges then I think the side windows are larger and the same as a Mk3 Mini. Also there is no seam on the rear pillars on any Elf roof.

[minical]

I had an elf roof to cut bits out of for my mk2, was a mk3 headlining which was fitted with clips into the mk1/2 cant rail. The door and window frames were the same as the mk2.

[cheleker]

If all you need is the roof, they are the same.

Mk I Elf/Hornet used the two piece headliner. Mk II and III used the one piece. At least the Mk II started using the one piece early on.

Rear side window opening sizes on the Mk I and II Elf/Hornet were the same as other Mk I and II Mini saloons. The MK III Elf/Hornet (Aug. '66 on) openings were larger.

[rich@minispares.com]

the roof skin is the same (but then they are the same from 59 to 2000), so it doesn't have to be a specific mk1 item.

if you want the 'top chop' (for want of a better description!) with the intention of letting the roof, cant rail and pillars onto your shell, then you will need to be careful as an elf is different to a normal saloon.

the front pillars and 'b' pillars are the same but it all goes wrong at the 'c' pillars. they are a one piece pressing, not two joined by the seam like on a saloon, then the one piece pressing is joined round the cant, so the cant is a separate bit as well, its all lead loaded, so you cannot see it.

I suppose you could use it on a saloon, but you would either have to deseam it ( ), or try and weld a lip onto it to hold the seam finisher.

[rolesyboy]

Thanks Rich. The case is solved. Anyone got a mk 1 roof they can sell me. Cheers

[cheleker]

Good catch, Rich. The C-post off MK I - III Elf/Hornet is the same size as a non-Elf/Hornet MK I. (The E/H used the smaller, Mk I back window for all cars.) But that little matter of the lack of a seam would be an issue!

[surfblue63]

Can people not see what I write???????????????

[SteveG]

Who said that?

[Pete]

Dunno, let's just ignore him, everybody else is !

[AustinSuperSeven]

Seams... like no one is listening to Surfblue!

[northern monkey]

why aye man....perhaps its the strange northern accent you must have wrote in surf...

[surfblue63]

Nah Mick, it's probably me lingerin' mockney that does it.

[northern monkey]

Thats a real mix ...mockney geordie.....that would tax google translate Stuart


Mick