What is the best roof skin to use in a 32 Tudor to fill opening?

Looking for ideas...........Thanks Dave

 

Chevy van or station wagon with the nice stamped stiffeners in the outside sheetmetal.

 

I saw one done locally using the roof section from a Taurus wagon, looked great too and ribbed for her pleasure.

Bob

 

Some '60s Dodges station wagons have a group ribs down the middle. I think '59 Ford station wagons have inverted ribs that look good. I would stay away from wagons and vans that have the "square-ish" ribs, they don't usually look good in my opinion.

 

If you want your car to look like it was built in the '80's or newer, put in a ribbed roof.

If you want your car to look vintage, put in a smooth roof.

(Yes, I know there were ribbed roofs in 50's Ford wagons, but how many ever made it into a '32's top?)

 

There is a patina'd 32 Tudor out of the PNW with a SMOOTH steel roof insert...made to fit somewhat like the stock insert. If I remember correctly, it was from a late 50's wagon. I'd like to know, as my 32 Fordor needs an insert...

Neal

 

my buddy used a an old jeep cheroke roof looks great and has the wide ribs in it..

 

Back in the 90's I used Plymouth Volare/ Dodge aspen roofs to fill a bunch of different 30's cars. The curves fit pretty good. Of course back then I had a yard full of them, parted out for the front ends we were using under trucks!
Like someone else said, I'd stay away from the "Ribbed" roof unless you really wanted a 80/90's look. That said I did fill a 32 with a ribbed early 60's Dodge Dart wagon roof for a customer (he supplied the roof skin). Preety cool looking, it looked more like it was custom bead rolled instead of a factory piece. Still would be a little too street roddy for a tradional car and 64 Dart wagons arn't lying around any more.

 

I have the same issue with a 35 Tudor. Can't decide if the stock insert would be better than a filled roof. I know nothing about the stock route or where to get one. It rains a lot up here, also a consideration.

 

In the future I'm gonna fill the roof in my 36 Tudor. I plan to use the roof metal from a 60's Ford station wagon.

I will weld the insert into the opening along the edge leaving the groove for the fabric top insert.

Then cover the new metal with the proper vinyl and the trim strip.

I'll have a sealed, filled roof that will keep the look of a stock fabric insert.

 

Have read somewhere that the 60-63 Falcon wagon roofs work well if you want a smooth insert.

 

I used a smooth top from a '90 Cad sedan deville in my vicky. It's worth a look see and easy to find in junkyards. CAN NOT garantee it would fit a 2dr or 4dr but like I said it's worth investigating.

 

you could use the roof from a vista wagon

 

I'll have get get a tape out and start looking.I have found a couple of 70ish econolines and vdubs but I don't want the 80s 90s theme either...I will check out that volarie top.smooth would be nice but oviously flawless body work is going to be a must.The old wagons around here are getting hard to find.
Any one try a early 60s caddy roof...just brain storming what I have access to.
Thanks Dave

 

I like the steel panel covered with original fabric idea, could be removable too. Hmm.

 

I used a '59 Mercury Wagon roof for my '31 Chevy Tudor. It has small inverted sqarish ribs about 1/2" wide and looks great. I don't like the ribs sticking up, but if you do a '64 Chevy Wagon roof has small ribs. Also 50's or 60's (don't remember the year) has the roof only half covered in a nice design if you like em...I think the '59 Merc roof was the best looking roof in the junk yard!!!

 

late 30s' 40's sedan roofs work very well, and are cheap. I filled this 34 ford with a 1939 lasalle four door sedan roof. it fit perfect <p>

 

That is a big opening to fill....
I typically like to use a roof skin from an 'early 80-s Caddy sedan Deville[4dr only]...same year Buick PARK AVE 4 dr is same too... here are some pics of same on a 34 I did....
these skins have the perfect amount of crown for these sedans....

 

Guy used a Volare wagon to refill my last C Dan. Original job looked like a street sign had been used with lotsa Bondo. This C Dan has original opening with cloth fill. Feels more traditional to me.

 

In my fathers we used a ford van roof, From the 80's-90's. Flipped it upsidedown so the ribs where recessed.. Looks great and is stiff...

 

I would NEVER fill a roof on a 32 ... or a cowl vent either.
Detracts from the LOOKS in my opinion.

 

This should keep deuce roadster and all happy

 

Hi Dave I know their are a lot of ways to fill the roof in but I,m no good at welding so I thought I would try and make one out of fibergl*** I haven,t seen one made out of fibergl*** andI thought what the hell I think it turned out good for the first try what do you think It,s glued and screwed in .good luck with what ever you choose to do Iceman-29

 

57-8 Ford galaxie four doors have a cool design, look great, and fit real well. You need the WHOLE roof. I have also used jeep cherokees, vans and blazers

 

This is not a good picture but I used a roof from a 1957 Merc two door station wagon. I think Ford used the same top. Might scower the bone yards for one. What I like is the ribs are small and they go down in so when you look at the car from the side you see no ribs standing up.
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