I'm planning to fill in the roof of my '31 Fordor Sedan. Will start this weekend. Any Ideas welcome... I thought about buying some strips of square tubing and arching them some then just using some sheet metal to cover the roof...I'm just not sure what gauge of sheet metal to use. I've also heard of some guys using a 1st gen rustang roof but, that would probably be harder to find. IDEAS PLEASE THanks, Gabe
A roof skin from a mid eightiesRWD ParkAvenue or Cadillac Sedan Deville[must be 4 door] will work on a deuce or 34 sedan-so may be what you need. it has the prefect radius both left to right and front to back it just lays on there.memory serving its about 68 inches long....Be careful lifting it off the donor car as its glued to inner structure pretty good-OH and get ready to do about 3 hrs of s****ing off the 1/4"padded vinyl top cover they all have!
Early Ford sheetmetal is 19 gauge. 18 gauge will work pretty well. Try to find an early 60s car as a donor. It won't be too thin and will weld well. Henry's steel was high in nichol. You won't find anything like that on a later car. Good Luck.
Unless you have the tools to put some crown in the steel, I'd use a roof from a doner. Lots of cars will work.
my advice is don't fill the top. model A bodies are just a bunch of panels bolted and riveted together,and even though you may put new wood and bracing inside,and box the frame,they still flex. check out any model A with a filled top that's been on the road for a couple years and you'll see the edge filler panel all cracked
Years ago some common donors were 63-64 chevy wagon which had the up ribs, international travelall-smooth top and the volvo wagons. The international roofs are very thick metal and if used you could get away with no supports above your head. Makes it nice and clean on the underside. My personal favorite is the 63-64 mopar wagon roof. 11 down ribs(pencil size)running down the middle of the roof. They are all spaced for a overall width to be about 12 inches down the middle. Before I found mine in a yard(I looked for years!)I was ready to buy a running car just to get that cool roof for my sedan. Lots of choices. Steve
heres a shot of the mopar wagon roof. If anyone not too far from me knows where I can get another please pm me. I have one, need another. Steve
check out the 31 model A at our open house we used the roof off a 1972 full size buick electra has a good crown and is self supporting if hammer welded 3/4 inch at a time dont let it get too hot to touch. You will need a roof this size to cover the hole
[ QUOTE ] I like this idea. web page [/ QUOTE ] I agree with 31Rodder on this solution..., Fast, Simple, reversable and good looking! Unless you're so compelled to weld something..., I'd give this a shot...!
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