911 Sunroof Cancelled

[germanwheels]

The replacement skin method of canceling a sunroof is documented here in these photos. Note minimal amount of welding, which means minimal (zero) amount of warping. This roof has been installed exactly as the factory did so many years ago. Alex told me he is 90% done with his (masterful) hammer and dolly work. Those folder gutters are very straight and identical to originals. I measured them with a caliper. 10% more meal work, and this goes to paint. I hope you find this useful. More to come.

[germanwheels]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

does anyone know the tool used to fold the drip rail back?

Pliers, hammer and dolly.

[jpnovak]

Nicely done!

[Reiver]

The sunroof bugged me...the little felt strip that was a pita...and simply the look of it which you look at every time you enter/exit. Just a preference.

[germanwheels]

Originally Posted by Reiver

The sunroof bugged me...the little felt strip that was a pita...and simply the look of it which you look at every time you enter/exit. Just a preference.

Nice roof, color and car.

[gomezoneill]

For the life of me I don't understand why anyone would do this.

[75 911s]

Originally Posted by gomezoneill

For the life of me I don't understand why anyone would do this.

How about:

1. More head room for tall people. It changed the entire experience of driving the vehicle. I have a lowered seat too. If you are over 6'2, it's the single best mod you can do to enjoy the car.
2. Lighter car, especially at the top where it matters more.
3. It looks better, cleaner. No rectangle breaking up that beautiful roof line.
4. It's more appropriate to the Porsche heritage of racing. Lighter, sleeker, and more simple. Does the 911R have a sunroof?
5. The sunroof is a gaudy American market luxury addon. Like horrible AC installs.
6. Non sunroof cars are more rare and usually Euro delivery.
7. The sunroof design itself is a compromise. It's in the wrong spot (too far forward for anyone who isn't 5'5") and many of them are tired, slow, and inoperable.
8. Sports purpose cars vs luxury touring cars. I'd rather have the sports purpose car.

Having said that, I would leave an original low miles classic 911 with a sunroof be. However, if the car isn't special or original, go for it.


Ultimately the car serves it's driver. The sunroof did nothing and detracted from my driving experience. I hated it and I'm 100% glad I deleted it.

[gomezoneill]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

How about:

1. More head room for tall people. It changed the entire experience of driving the vehicle. I have a lowered seat too. If you are over 6'2, it's the single best mod you can do to enjoy the car.
2. Lighter car, especially at the top where it matters more.
3. It looks better, cleaner. No rectangle breaking up that beautiful roof line.
4. It's more appropriate to the Porsche heritage of racing. Lighter, sleeker, and more simple. Does the 911R have a sunroof?
5. The sunroof is a gaudy American market luxury addon. Like horrible AC installs.
6. Non sunroof cars are more rare and usually Euro delivery.
7. The sunroof design itself is a compromise. It's in the wrong spot (too far forward for anyone who isn't 5'5") and many of them are tired, slow, and inoperable.
8. Sports purpose cars vs luxury touring cars. I'd rather have the sports purpose car.

Having said that, I would leave an original low miles classic 911 with a sunroof be. However, if the car isn't special or original, go for it.


Ultimately the car serves it's driver. The sunroof did nothing and detracted from my driving experience. I hated it and I'm 100% glad I deleted it.

You have to cut the roof off
do all sorts of welding
pull the glass
redo the headliner
repaint the whole (possibly) car
most important, it devalues the car.
What was the expense for this modification?

Your car does look nice though. Great Photograph. I like the stance too.

How did you install the rear push out windows? I do like that.
Shaved off right side mirror and rockers nice and clean.

[911 Rod]

Wow. You must have really hated it to spend that kind of money to "cancel" it.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Wow. You must have really hated it to spend that kind of money to "cancel" it.

..as the saying goes.... 'you can't take it with you'....

[germanwheels]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

How about:

1. More head room for tall people. It changed the entire experience of driving the vehicle. I have a lowered seat too. If you are over 6'2, it's the single best mod you can do to enjoy the car.
2. Lighter car, especially at the top where it matters more.
3. It looks better, cleaner. No rectangle breaking up that beautiful roof line.
4. It's more appropriate to the Porsche heritage of racing. Lighter, sleeker, and more simple. Does the 911R have a sunroof?
5. The sunroof is a gaudy American market luxury addon. Like horrible AC installs.
6. Non sunroof cars are more rare and usually Euro delivery.
7. The sunroof design itself is a compromise. It's in the wrong spot (too far forward for anyone who isn't 5'5") and many of them are tired, slow, and inoperable.
8. Sports purpose cars vs luxury touring cars. I'd rather have the sports purpose car.

Having said that, I would leave an original low miles classic 911 with a sunroof be. However, if the car isn't special or original, go for it.


Ultimately the car serves it's driver. The sunroof did nothing and detracted from my driving experience. I hated it and I'm 100% glad I deleted it.

+++My exact thinking above.

[germanwheels]

So far, I'm thrilled with the work, and I'm excited to have more headroom, less weight, and cleaner lines. If I did not have to redo the headliner and dash pad, I would have left my sunroof alone. My car is alpine white, so matching the color is more straightforward than some. I'm only painting the roof; it is not a Concours car. IMO, modern painting systems match really well. Plus, this is a car I like to drive and to drive a lot. When the paint is done, wet sanded, and polished, I will have a very, very hard time detecting the paintwork.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the appreciation/depreciation topic, just because we can. I really do not care either way. I'm keeping this car a long time. Some of our fellow porschefiles say they will pay a premium for a car without a sunroof.

[Reiver]

If done well it should be ok....no, it is not stock and if one wants a perfectly stock car that will be an issue but many do not care....see 356 Outlaws and what they sell for.

I have stripped all of the sound deadening and superfluous 'stuff' from my 911 SC (AC, front rear impact bumpers, interior rear shelf, huge side mirrors, sunroof, changed leather to cloth Recaro's, light felt carpeting, 930-10 euro in place of US 930-16 for more HP, SSI's. Dansk 2 in/out, and stuff I can't remember off hand)

225 HP...about 2300 lbs fully wet....and it is just what the Dr. ordered....like the RS models Porsche built years earlier with more down low grunt.

[germanwheels]

Originally Posted by Reiver

If done well it should be ok....no, it is not stock and if one wants a perfectly stock car that will be an issue but many do not care....see 356 Outlaws and what they sell for.

I have stripped all of the sound deadening and superfluous 'stuff' from my 911 SC (AC, front rear impact bumpers, interior rear shelf, huge side mirrors, sunroof, changed leather to cloth Recaro's, light felt carpeting, 930-10 euro in place of US 930-16 for more HP, SSI's. Dansk 2 in/out, and stuff I can't remember off hand)

225 HP...about 2300 lbs fully wet....and it is just what the Dr. ordered....like the RS models Porsche built years earlier with more down low grunt.

Nice car you have there.

Did removal of the sound deadening make your car too loud?

How much weight savings do you attribute to sound deadening?

[Nick Triesch]

I just went on a fall ride up to beautiful Julian California with my Wife for a picnic with my sunroof open. Was wonderful seeing the sky and smelling the California Oaks. If I was looking for a 911 and it was supposed to have a sunroof and it was gone, I would pass on that molested car.

[Nick Triesch]

Reiver, now your car is almost as quick as a Subaru WRX!

[75 911s]

Sun was in my eyes.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by germanwheels

Nice car you have there.

Did removal of the sound deadening make your car too loud?

How much weight savings do you attribute to sound deadening?

Loud is a personal thing...I love the mechanical sounds...the whine and exhaust note.
That one piece covering the back shelf and seat area was like 40 lbs. if I remember correctly.

Nick, I roll down the windows....and your car isn't as fast as a Subaru WRX!

p.s....it isn't all about the speed, as any 911 owner knows, it is about the handling and feel....the SC felt fat and handled that way in the mountains due to all of the American oriented 'stuff' 'we' generally require.
It does not feel fat now...much more responsive.

Many add stiffer torsion bars etc. to get the handling...and stiffer shocks.... my stock T bars and shocks are now upgraded for free with the diet...I had to lower the car front and rear due to the weight loss. All I added in the suspension (besides replacing wear out items with stock shor rubber) were Carrera sways that are a tad stiffer.

[germanwheels]

The roof is ready for masking, wipe down and primer.

Note how little body filler is used. The steel roof is amazingly straight without much filler. The filler is a just hair thick is just over the welds where the metal shrunk a bit.











The guys at Perfect Lines Restoration have so far done a masterful job. Pelican Parts supplied a perfect roof.

More to come.

[Reiver]

Looks very good....they really screwed up the 911's lines (and 356's) with this addition.

As to the loudness.... I love the mechanical sounds of the flat six and you can hear them without the sound deadener in the back...but they are not overwhelming at all and when I put music on just right.
That huge piece of thick sound padding will come out as a unit so if it is too loud for you just put it back in.