Projects Model A sedan roof help...Magnum roof ???

I need to put a roof on my sedan but its hard to find early sedan donors. Does anyone know if a dodge magnum roof will work? I took some measurements and it looks like it should work, its the compound curve that I'm worried about. The wreckers here want $400 for the roof so I don't want to just take a chance. Any help would be great.

thanks.

 

I recently went looking for a smooth (no ribs) donor for my '28 Tudor. I made a plywood template of the current wood ribs' crown and took that with me when junkyard shopping. If memory serves, I think the dimensions needed to be at least 74" long by 43" wide.

I found that a '86 Toyota minivan roof fits beautifully. Recent Volvo station wagons (X90 I think?) also work nicely and the Magnum roofs without sunroofs look like they'd work too.

Hope this helps.
-Gary

 

Have yet to try it myself but there are a few guys on here who have used late 80's-early 90's Dodge Carivan roofs with great results. Its suppose to be a perfact fit if you turn it around backwords (I think).

 

I had a Volvo insert on my old 28tudor.....wasn't a bad fit, but the flatness of the Volvo down the side, made get a little out of wack on the Tudor.....

 

$400??? wow i paid 40.00+10.00 torach fee for the roof from the middle of the pillars up, but... i cant remember what year of station wagon i got the roof out of. it was in the 80s i know that

 

You might want to check a few recent posts about late model sheet metal here on the HAMB, from what I've heard alot of the late model steel is hard to weld.

 

I am working on this sedan right now. 30 A sedan with a Caravan roof in it. I can't remember what year.

 

Not really, a lot of the new sheet metal is high strength low alloy, Slightly harder, embedded with zinc, but welds fine. little harder to work and a little on the thin side. I don't use it for patches and such, but a roof skin would work fine.

 

That roof's gonna look nice !

 

The best picture i have...

 

I've seen someone use a jeep liberty roof as well with the sunroof...

 

i used 83 gmc van roof,ribbed for pleasure,enough to do two cars.

 

i have a model a sedan and a magnum can take measurements if needed. the roof of the magnum is flimsy and flexes when i wash the car so you would have to keep the roof wood in on the model a.

also, the rear hatch on the magnum cuts pretty far into the roof. just an FYI if you didn't notice it before

 

For $400 you could buy a cheap english wheel and a sheet of 18 gauge and still have Money left over and you did it yourself. Just throwin' it out there. If I can do it anyone can.

 

I think the materials for the original type roof is much cheaper..

 

I used an 84 astrovan roof and turned backwards, i.e meaining the curve leading to the front windshield on the donor followed the curve of the sedan body. Good luck... It too was ribbed.

 

Thanks for all your help guys !!!

 

I built a 28 sedan around 88 and used a station wagon roof from as I remember a Toyota that would likely have been from the 70's or possibly earlier. It was smooth and turned around it fit and looked perfect.

 

I got a roof from a '91 toyota preva van. Turned it backwards. It laid in there like it was meant for it (only $100). Just trim and weld. Its a smooth top. i just covered it with the stock short grain vinyl.

Check out my album for details.

Bryan

 

My dad just took a roof out of a early to mid 80's pontiac lemans wagon for his , '30sedan...cost 100.00 with them doing the cutting.

 

Mine is a 2001 Mazda Millenium mini van. 30 bucks at the U-pull it.



Don't pay $400 for a roof. Keep looking.

-Abone.

 

How about a Chevy? I got a 1930 Chevy Coach (Sedan) that I wanted to do a covered insert, but may have to do steel. Any donor suggestions?

 

Roof insert for chevy sedan 2 doors is about the same thing as a model A sedan. Take your measurement and try what people have suggested above.

 

Dodge caravan, not sure of yr. & front brought over to make the visor. Lots of welding & fitting.

 

Mazda Millenium mini van....Love the look of that

 

Believe the Millenium was a 4dr. sedan.

The mini van is the MPV

 

I have an 88 Crown Vic wagon. I was wondering if I should save the roof when I am finally done with the car. After reading all these responses, there are lots of options! My ribbed roof is probably enough for two Tudors.

 

used a dodge caravan roof(no roof rack) on my 30 tudor sedan some years back,,, worked out fine and the ribs really gave it a nice look....be prepared for a bunch of evenings welding ..take your time ,its well worth the effort

 

1964 Dart wagon turned backwards on mine, good luck finding one of those though. But if you do it looks really good.

 

My 31 sedan has a roof skin from an early 70s ford wagon. Fits real good and cheap too. But that was about 25 years ago.