Is it practical to fill in a Webasto Sunroof?

[march]

Hi,

I am looking to obtain / build a TR7 V8 Rally Replica over the next year (having had TR7's in my youth this is something I have always wanted to do) and am looking at possible options to achieve this - Is it practical to fill in the sunroof to create a solid roofed FHC or is it just not worth bothering with?

I ask as there appear to be a lot more good FHC with sunroof's coming up for sale than solid rofed versions.

Thanks

Marc

02 Range Rover
94 Honda Fireblade
99 Lotus Esprit V8
Space in garage for TR7

[TR Tony]

It has been done, there is a 7 belonging to a Club Triumph member that was done for exactly the same reason as you are contemplating.

Unless you have a very skilled welder then you will be able to "see the join", it's very difficult to get a perfect fit. Alternative is to transplant the whole roof section from a solid roof car - although finding a roof section at a reasonable price is getting almost as hard as finding a solid roof car at all.

Tony

<font size="1">1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow</font id="size1">

[sonscar]

Before historic racing was called historic racing I remember seeing some cars with roof panels rivetted over the removed sunroof.Looked kindof purposeful,an acquired taste perhaps.Steve..

[cokat]

I have Done it and so did Ruddy on his car. It is a bit of work to drill out the welding but the new is welded and glued back on with some special glue that is used in automotive. The glue makes it more rigid.

[Beans]

Yes I will be doing the same with one of my cars, and will also use a complete roof panel.
But good roof panels are getting expensive though ...

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1976 TR7 FHC (needs some TLC ...)
1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, a.k.a. Kermette)
1981 TR7 FHC (Sprint engined a.k.a. 't Kreng
</font id="blue"><b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="3"><font color="red">My full Blog</font id="red"></font id="size3"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>

[steve_1360]

If you look at club level motor sport you will see its not uncommon to have sunroofs filled in, so from a competition point of view not a problem. From a looks point of view that is up to you.
I think a red TR7V8 in CSCC race series has a filled in sunroof

[march]

I was looking at going down the roof replacement roof and had even found a potential roof. Someone was selling a bonnet from a fhc and in the background was a rather sad looking body shell with a good roof. I messaged him and asked how much for the body shell and got the replay he had had it crushed as it had a lot of rust - Arrgghhh![:(]
Any way still looking for the right car.

02 Range Rover
94 Honda Fireblade
99 Lotus Esprit V8
Space in garage for TR7

[FI Spyder]

I was talking to a body man about hail roof dents in the Integra. He said it's very hard top do flat roof panels, easier if there is a reinforcing crease (like in the Tercel). He works at one of the better body shops around here. Given enough time and expertise (read money) I'm sure it can be done but that's probably why a total roof transplant is the preferred way.


- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[cokat]

Robsport has a roof, I saw on their site.

A shame that you are in the UK because I have a rusfree LHD body which is completely welded to race or rally with it. Even the platforms for the safety cage. But with a Webasto roof which is closed with a aluminium plate with airscoop.

[Benzo]

Is it this one you saw?

https://www.robsport.co.uk/index.php/co ... anel-solid

It was listed in July 2013 so likely away now, I was lucky to torture a local owner for long enough to part with his for £400

It to Add, my fabrication man was up for removing the roof from my other glass roof non webasto scrap shell and welding it up, he said that would have been possible to do with little or no fillers or warp if it was welded slowly to allow heat to escape. I just wasn't sure about the look of it from the inside as i wasn't planning to fit a roof lining again.



Building - TR7 V8 - M62B44.

[march]

No - This was on Ebay. Picture of the shell attached


Bonnet still for sale

02 Range Rover
94 Honda Fireblade
99 Lotus Esprit V8
Space in garage for TR7

[cokat]

I will post Some pictures. I welded a LHD bulkhead in and a solid roof. It was not so much work. Only a lot of spotweld- drilling .

[march]

That would be very useful cokat. Look faorward to seeing the pictures.

Thanks

02 Range Rover
94 Honda Fireblade
99 Lotus Esprit V8
Space in garage for TR7

[cokat]

Bulkhead:

[cokat]

Roof: