I am looking to see how much of roof swapping has been done.I have a 59 Rambler that I hate the roof line on. Been playing around with the idea of a carson roof but it can be costly to have covered.I was thinking of welding on a custom roof from something else.this way I can retain the chrome around the base of the roof.I am wondering if there are any customs out there with a complete roof from a different car. I played around with a quick photochop with my car to give you some idea where I am headed
I would say find a roof that will cover the hole left in the back,,in the front would think best bet is a whole roof cut at the A's and with a bit of over hang,,that way you can rest it on top of the existing instead of trying to match the existing lines
I have swapped a 60 starliner roof onto a 64 impala, it takes some planning and alot of modifications to fit and have the trim line up and also to make the gl*** line up. but the end result was well worth it. the car is not complete yet but the "sport coupe" look definately makes a statement on the car. will try to post a pic if i can figure that out.
A few years back there was a mid 40's Ford with a Camaro roof grafted on that was seen at a couple of national meets.. As weird as it may sound it actually looked good. The finish work was incredible, looked like it belonged there. Maybe someone remembers it and and has pictures. Frank
fly 59 that looks wild. I seen all kinds of custom work but not ever day you see a roof swap.Or for that matter a roof swap with a chop!
That one dosn't have a chop, its just a swap actually.We retained the stock front windshield from the 64, we kept the whole windshield frame from the impala and mated the ford roof to the top of the w/shield frame. The dimensions of the two roofs fit very well here with little modification. the rear we kept the complete starliner frame and will use the stock rear gl*** from the ford.Lots of mods to get the rear to fit so all the side gl*** will sit on the same plane, as the ford roof is a little wider were it meets the quarters. Had to modify the rear shelf as well as lower the trunk hinges to make everything fit, but all in all things will work out very well. Thanks for the comments, I have a ton more pics of the build. If you would like to see, just say the word.
I got all of the leftover parts from the Fury that donated it's roof to this project. I've seen a couple of 61-63 Thunderbirds with Starliner roofs on them, always thought a 57-58 Ford 2dht roof would look nice on a 58-60 T-bird too, but haven't seen that done yet.
The biggest problem you're going to run into on that Rambler is finding a top that's narrow enough - you will probably have to narrow the roof you use, which means using one that has a flat rear window - I had an idea a while back to put a '57 Buick/Olds roof on a '58 Rambler Six (the bigger one, not the American) and it changed the whole character of the car. Why that top? The window is three pieces, the middle would be relatively easy to make a new one out of plexigl*** if it's too wide to fit the car. You might look at the earlier Ramblers, like 51-55 or so, there was a convertible landau that used the same doors - the middle of the top folded down but the window frames were fixed - or there was a hardtop, also, with a wrap rear window and no posts. It shouldn't be too hard to find a rotty car to lop one off from and they would go right on there. After that I'd look at like 49-54 Chevy or 49-51 Ford tops, just on the basis that they should be narrower, and that Rambler is basically a 1951 shell with a few updates, so the styling should still work together. Also, they're really common cars and it should be easy to find a ****ty one to cut up for cheap.
I have a 52 fleetline and thought about using it but for some reason I can`t get past the Rambler front gl***.It is tricky window and to me it is not that nice.I really like the nose on the Ramber as well as the rear. the sides look like a slug which I find cool. but that roof line and tops of the doors I just can`t get my head around it.Might just hack the whole top off windshield and all and go from there. Was thinking of a roof from a 49-51 Ford and use the front window as well.
Just did a quick photo chop and this is what I think might look right. Sorry the pic is so small.seem I cut and past it to a white page. oh well you get the idea
Geezzz fitz...that looks awesome. Even better than a Carson. Really like the hardtop treatment. Is it to scale?
The Rambler body is stock with some shaved handles and gas filler door. the roof cam off a pic I found on here of a custom 49 ford. I think I can do much of this with the roof from the fleetline.Can you remember if the 49-50 Fords up on the car path have the front windshield frame in them,There were two deep in the woods if i remember. The 49 front windshield frame would be best cause they have split flat gl*** in them.
I would have to agree Fitzee that does look awesome ! Try a photoshop same roof line but no quarter windows, with hardtopped doors ...I knew someone back in Ont that did this with a 49 Ford looked pretty sweet.
That is the plan.I have to chose between the 59 Rambler or a 52 Chevy fleetline.The fleetline is ruff and the 59 Rambler is in good shape for around here. I will build it in my head first and run through the problems I will come across.Right now I am tring to figure out the base of the windshield frame on both the 59 and on a 49 Ford. The 59 looks flatter across the hood.
Let me know if you need any 49 measurments I can measure my lawn ornament for you ! Do yo think the woods car you know about has a usable roof?
It has been awhile sence we were up at that spot.Can`t remember how much of it was there.Just know that it was a 49-51 Ford. We have our big local show this weekend so taken the T bucket out to that. gone till Sunday Cleaned out the shop today to make room for my project. Won`t be long now and I`ll be cutting.
I believe that Tim Strange did an old Desoto years ago and put the complete roof off a late model car (I dont remember what) on it. It turned out well. I will see if I can find some pics.
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