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Network Native
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 10,349
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Practice roof removal?
I'm thinking about taking the roof off my 84 parts car for practice, and to see what all is involved. Most of the trim is already off, and the sun roof stuff will all be coming out as well as maybe the windshield and hatch. Just rolling the idea around for now.
Later on I may want to replace the sun roof in my 85 Euro with the solid roof out of an earlier car. |
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04-26-2008, 11:35 PM
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Heavy Metal Relocator
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you must be really bored.....
there are many things that I would like to do as well, but in the end, it's a whole lot easier to search for the car you want, instead of making a car you want----especially when it comes to the structural integrity of the car. (Ive been told this so many times in my life I can't count them---doesn't mean I've followed that advice.....but there are limits to what I would or would not do.) roof sections are not to be "adjusted" lightly...... if you want one (Euro) without the hole in the roof, I suggest you buy one. |
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04-27-2008, 11:25 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 652
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Many racers replace their sunroof equiped roof panels with a non sunroof panel. It's not unheard of rhjames.
Danglerb, do you have covered storage for this car or is the interior and electricals already trashed?
__________________
1984 928's w/ 5 speed Smoked Quartz Metalic 1982 928's Turbo w/ 5 Speed Platinum Metalic 1978 Euro Widebody w/ 5 speed Guards Red |
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04-28-2008, 06:27 AM
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Network Native
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 10,349
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Russ, in looking a year and a half I've found one and heard of maybe two more post OB sunroof delete cars in the US and none of them were for sale. Add in wanting a 5 spd and its pretty much nothing but 78/82 and its very rare to find one in good condition.
Except for painting, a roof panel swap looks like "about" as much work as an AT -> 5 spd conversion. My 85 Euro 5 spd is factory black and needing a respray, and it has a crack in the front windshield so that is in line to replace, as well as the headliner and all the trim around the windshield. Close to the perfect candidate for a roof swap. Fabio, 84 Euro that I would practice taking the sunroof out of is almost completely parted out now, except for this heatwave it would have been done this weekend. Taking off the roof would be the last indignity prior to hauling away as scrap. Headliner and sunroof assembly will be coming out regardless. I've also considered removing the top junkyard style at the pillars so I could mess with the roof at my leisure, stick it in the back of my mustang and take to the body shop etc. |
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04-28-2008, 09:58 AM
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account abandoned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 79
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I'd rather do a auto to manual conversion over a roof swap.... the car that I want doesn't exist, so I had to build it..... I think Dangler is in the same boat.
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04-28-2008, 03:55 PM
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Heavy Metal Relocator
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Mmm......
(fabio) Didn't realize this was very popular...? (D) I figured you'd been on a long search, but it's just my opinion that hacking the roof is quite a bit of work to make it right......structurally. A good body guy can work some kind of magic, but in the end, is it worth the effort......I can't say.... --R |
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04-28-2008, 10:30 PM
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Network Native
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 10,349
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Part of the point of a practice removal is to get a first hand look at all the attachment points, and see what the rigidity of the body is minus the roof panel. I suspect it won't be so bad since the roof panel isn't the only structure in the top of the car, there are other elements going from side to side at the front and rear.
When doing it, "for real" on my 85 I am also assuming it would be sitting in the body shop on the frame jig during the removal and replacement. If I decide to do a practice run, even if I don't do it myself, could be cutting off the roof at the pillars and taking it into the body shop would be useful for them. |
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04-29-2008, 12:06 AM
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Moderator
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Just make it a convertible, then you'll have all the headroom you want. Heck, it's California!
__________________
1981 Porsche 928 "Euro" Auto Gunsmoke Metallic Flat - Black Interior 1983 Porsche 928S "US" Auto Light Bronze (Copper) Metallic - Brown Interior **SOLD** 
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04-29-2008, 06:30 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 1,108
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I have talked to several body shops about this since I don't like sunroofs...some say remove the roof and replace with one without a sunroof (cut off top). Others say this will hurt the integrity of the car and they would weld the opening shut. I favor the later approach since the body shops that I respected seemed to be against cutting the roof off.
Dane had a car he made into a very sharp looking custom with no rain channels or sunroof. The entire car looked very clean and like a modern version. Tell me if you decide to do this since I am also interested. Sunroofs are for Chevys. |
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05-06-2008, 05:58 PM
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