Model A Roof Insert I started by fitting a Volvo 122 Roof in to the opening. Volvo enthusiasts recognizes the "46 red" color ! This roof had a perfect crown to it, all though I did have a body man friend (Thanks Loggy!) help me lessen the crown in the rear corners. I then covered it in a heavy grain vinyl. I made sure it fit just right inside the low part of the roof, so it's flush to the metal. Then I marked the location of the holes in the body, about 2 inches apart. For edging I am using this "Landau moulding, it's also called Color Key Moulding, used for separate the Landau top with the painted parts, back when that was the only way to pimp out a car. Those were the days ! The manufacturer has discontinued it, but several upholstery suppliers still carry it. You could also used hidem moulding. Then I punched holes where marked, and using the roof panel as a template, I marked where to drill the track. With a little heat and patience, you can bend the track well. I put 3M string caulk in the roof "gutter" before the install. A sharp eye will notice that the front track in not all the way out to the edge, and that is because it is not overlapping, like the side track, it has to overlap a bit to the painted roof part. I just have to miter the molding to fit accordingly. Now you can just tighten down the track and roof panel. The C-molding was way to glossy to fit in, so I "dulled" it down using fine steel wool. Doing this outside on a hot day helps keeping the moulding flexible or just use a heat gun. Finished product
Now kin ah have mah car Daddy Rolf ??????????....Gorsh it is awesome...I'll trade ya 32 FODE 3 w coupe ' fer it.....You might not like it cuz it ain't chopped.......Awesome Model "A" !!!!------CJ.
Speed tested? Hell, yeah ! Nuts, a small washer and a nut, this way I can tighen it up after the moulding is installed for a tight fit.
Rolf This should go in Tech to save it. It is so detailed and such a sweet job it really needs to stick around for all of us to look at when we are thinking. Gumpa
Damn, I love this car!! Makes me wish I hadnt filled my roof. Everything about this car screams HOT ROD. DAVE
Pretty well the center, it's amazing how flat it is in the center, considering how curvy the Volvo car is. The front is in the front. We did have to "un-curve" the rear corners a little bit. I recall it was a 2d, but I am sure 4d would be just as good, maybe even better.
The 2d and and 4d of these models has the same roof, so no difference! A friend mine often uses the roof of the Volvo 245 (Stationwagon 1970-90), it fits pretty good, and is almost all flat!
Nice work by the way! The 245 roof fits sedans pretty well, I dont think theres need of any bending there!
The moulding's I am using came from Julianos, I just didn't know that they would be the Landau type moulding. They also sell the moulding by the yard, if you don't want to buy the whole kit. If you are putting the vinyl on a allready filled top, then the wood frame solution makes a lot of sence, especially if you want to use the padding. In my case, I just glued the vinyl to the roof part, padding would not look right in the model A. Hope that makes sense...
This may help: The roof insert stops about an inch from the front edge, so the moulding is attached thru the holes in the body. Also, as you can see, I welded the visor to the body, and removed the wood. If you kept the wood, you could just screw the rail to the wood I suppose, ***uming it's in good shape. I will be hiding my wiper motor in here, and after welding everything up, there was no need for wood in my case.
Shoulda known it was Rolf! I didn't notice who posted this at first, but by the 2nd pic I knew. Fantastic as usual!
Glenn, The "Mighty Wiper" from http://www.pacificwesterndesign.com/Mighty/index.htm Small enough to sit inside the cavity.
The Jalopy Journal
