The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The restoration on LRM (VA930) is slow but steady.

Have completely removed the sun roof which I think is beyond repair.
Would not like to go along the road of replacing the roof so will need another sun roof to fill the 99cm by 83cm gap.

Can anyone suggest a half decent sun roof without me having to take out a second mortgage!!!

Cheers!

Well, there is another way what i did at my wife's 2500. It had a big rotten sunroof also. I did cut out a roofskin from another 2500 and glued it over the existing with body glue. Then added a vinyl roof and it's invisible.

Jeroen

That looks very good indeed sir...

What kind of sunroof was fitted before?! Maybe you can fit a Webasto or similar to fill the gap and keep it looking original for the period?

Failing that I am sure a new (or good S/H) roof skin can be cut to fit the gap or a whole nes section can be fitted.

Whatever you chose to do I am sure it'll end up looking pretty much perfect!

Please do keep us posted...

grifterkid wrote:That looks very good indeed sir...

What kind of sunroof was fitted before?! Maybe you can fit a Webasto or similar to fill the gap and keep it looking original for the period?

Failing that I am sure a new (or good S/H) roof skin can be cut to fit the gap or a whole nes section can be fitted.

Whatever you chose to do I am sure it'll end up looking pretty much perfect!

Please do keep us posted...

Don't know the type of sun roof that was fitted. Can't find anything on the sunroof that would identify who made it. If I knew I would probably just replace it.

soe8m wrote:Well, there is another way what i did at my wife's 2500. It had a big rotten sunroof also. I did cut out a roofskin from another 2500 and glued it over the existing with body glue. Then added a vinyl roof and it's invisible.

Jeroen

Jeroen,

This sounds a good idea but is it that easy? There are stiffeners in the sunroof, did you use any stiffeners when you glued the roofskin?

It needs two man. You cut out the remains of the old sunroof and lower the other roofskin on top of the car. I did some tackwelds at the edges and a bit of filler to smoothen. It was done in one evening. You only have to buy an headlining and the frames because that will be cut in yours because of the sunroof.

Jeroen

GazMaz wrote:

grifterkid wrote:That looks very good indeed sir...

What kind of sunroof was fitted before?! Maybe you can fit a Webasto or similar to fill the gap and keep it looking original for the period?

Failing that I am sure a new (or good S/H) roof skin can be cut to fit the gap or a whole nes section can be fitted.

Whatever you chose to do I am sure it'll end up looking pretty much perfect!

Please do keep us posted...

Don't know the type of sun roof that was fitted. Can't find anything on the sunroof that would identify who made it. If I knew I would probably just replace it.

It might well have been a Webasto. There was a brand new one for a Dolomite on E-bay a few days ago, it had been in the sellers loft since 1979.

Original equipment below, Club repro galvanised above. £38 each delivered

GazMaz wrote:

grifterkid wrote:That looks very good indeed sir...

What kind of sunroof was fitted before?! Maybe you can fit a Webasto or similar to fill the gap and keep it looking original for the period?

Failing that I am sure a new (or good S/H) roof skin can be cut to fit the gap or a whole nes section can be fitted.

Whatever you chose to do I am sure it'll end up looking pretty much perfect!

Please do keep us posted...

Don't know the type of sun roof that was fitted. Can't find anything on the sunroof that would identify who made it. If I knew I would probably just replace it.

This is the offending sunroof. I know it's a long shot but does anyone have any idea the make of sunroof it is?

Blimey...!

That looks like a Britax 'cartridge' style sunroof where the hole was cut in the roof then that unit, or 'cartridge', was inserted that had the sliding portion within it...

It'd be quite a cool period accessory to keep but I imagine you want to take your car back to original spec'...?!

I am sure you'll be able to sell that on to someone somewhere...

grifterkid wrote:Blimey...!

That looks like a Britax 'cartridge' style sunroof where the hole was cut in the roof then that unit, or 'cartridge', was inserted that had the sliding portion within it...

It'd be quite a cool period accessory to keep but I imagine you want to take your car back to original spec'...?!

I am sure you'll be able to sell that on to someone somewhere...

Grifterkid,

You are spot on there, it is a cartridge! Big hole in the roof and the cartridge riveted to the roof. The sliding part of the roof is still in quite good condition. Could try to restore it and put it back on if I could find a replacement draught excluder which has totally rusted and fell to pieces. I took it off to so I can fit a new vinyl roof. Still not sure which way to go here, restore sunroof or new roof. Will bear in mind who has first dibs on it. If I do get rid there will be no charge and it is yours, apart from the courier fee!!

While we're on the subject of sunroofs, were Webasto the only ones that were fitted from new? My Dolly has what I believe to be an after-market glass tilt sunroof (I forget the make) and I'm considering removing this and returning the roof to original when I eventually get round to restoring the rest of the car.

Jer

GazMaz wrote:If I do get rid there will be no charge and it is yours, apart from the courier fee!!

Well that is really very kind of you indeed...

If the car were mine I'd go back to having a 'solid' roof as although a sunroof is good to have they can cause a myriad of problems... Having said that though there are many cars that have sunroofs fitted that have not had problems so it is all down to luck and thorough maintenance with regards to how any old car is today...

Give it some thought and I'm sure you'll come up with the right answer...

Britax weathershield was a common dealer fit and is webasto style....by which I mean folding vynil with a pop
up green visor at the front edge.

I just scored some roof bars for one of these. I just missed out or got sniped for the two recently on ebay.

Been after one for a while.

Now I've scored the frame I'll be after the folding bit, which I think is still made by some specialists.

Jonners

I have a complete second hand roof in good order sitting under my carport in the yard, it was about the only panel worth keeping off that particular car. It is cut partway down each pillar.

It is cumbersome and I'm in the mood to make space, so make me an offer and take it away...