Roof needed

[Gazz]

Can anyone offer a suggestion for a middle of roof re-skin, perhaps from another BMW with a similar roof profile. I know it's a long shot but I may as well ask.

My project has finally been blasted back to bare metal and it's like the person caught naked when the tide goes out. The original car had a sunroof which was welded in to suit its' intended use as a tarmac rally car. Unfortunately the blasting has revealed a rather ordinary job done with a MIG ( I think it's a MIG - the type of weld that can't be hammered ) and a little heat distortion of the roof. Ideally we would use a complete turret but that's probably out of the question due to lack of supply.
It can be filled but I'd rather use metal.
I also need a boot ( trunk ) lid.

The rest of the car is pretty good, which is a relief. Doors, bonnet, ( hood ), floor, sills, guards, etc are all relatively rust free and what little damage there is is easily repairable.

 

[bwalvoord]

I have a parts car which might fit the bill.

 

[Mario L.]

Since you're in Australia . . . shipping you a roof isn't worth the expense . .

So let me share what I've seen done many a time very successfully . .

make a full width template and a center of roof template of the desired contour or a contour very close to that . .

then travel to a salvage yard, junk yard and match your template up with another car's roof . . cut out the metal and weld it in . .

We recently had a shop do this with an E30 chassis, client had chopped out the sunroof and distorted the stock roof . . a Subaru roof matched following the above, and this was cut to within two inches of the rain gutters and very carefully welded in place . . done well it will require very little filling . .

The other solution is a large piece of flat stock and an English Wheel . .

Mario L.

 

[rodspock]

Gary,

Bill at IDB in melbourne may have a spare roof. Give him a call, he normally works Saturdays.

I was recently speaking to him - he has three cars he was hoping to sell as a package; 1 with front end damage, 1 with rear end damage, and 1 as a shell. He may be willing to split, however you may need to pay for a whole car for a roof.

Also, I wouldn't mind grabbing your rear trim panel within the boot next time I am in the GC.

Cheers,

Rod

 

[Gazz]

Since you're in Australia . . . shipping you a roof isn't worth the expense . .

So let me share what I've seen done many a time very successfully . .

make a full width template and a center of roof template of the desired contour or a contour very close to that . .

then travel to a salvage yard, junk yard and match your template up with another car's roof . . cut out the metal and weld it in . .

We recently had a shop do this with an E30 chassis, client had chopped out the sunroof and distorted the stock roof . . a Subaru roof matched following the above, and this was cut to within two inches of the rain gutters and very carefully welded in place . . done well it will require very little filling . .

The other solution is a large piece of flat stock and an English Wheel . .

Mario L.

Thanks Mario, we had considered this but I thought I'd try for an E9 roof first. Which model Subaru? Also, those skilled with an English wheel are few and far between around here.

Gary,

Bill at IDB in melbourne may have a spare roof. Give him a call, he normally works Saturdays.

I was recently speaking to him - he has three cars he was hoping to sell as a package; 1 with front end damage, 1 with rear end damage, and 1 as a shell. He may be willing to split, however you may need to pay for a whole car for a roof.

Also, I wouldn't mind grabbing your rear trim panel within the boot next time I am in the GC.

Cheers,

Rod

Hey Rod, I spoke to Bill yesterday - he mentioned that you had contacted him. He may have a turret down there though he did say that I needed to have a look at it so I'll go down to Melbourne next week. Anything you want me to bring back? A nice Alpina air box say?
No worries re the boot trim.
I also spoke to Addam re someone selling his stock, not mentioning names, and he may be interested. Would be good to have some parts situated locally.