Webasto sunroof - fitting in 2021 to a classic

[Shezbo]

Hi all

Advise please, I have seen a potential new classic car and SWMBO is on board with the idea, however, both of us would like to fit a period style - sliding fabric Webasto sunroof.

I see all the new parts are still available direct from Webasto, however, has anyone fitted one recently? Who did it etc.

[fttm]

Fitted one to my Cortina 1600E a very long time ago , bit daunting cutting a hole in the roof but otherwise very straightforward. It was the bees knees back then .

[geeman237]

I think the official maker and seller of the original folding style Tudor Webasto sunroofs is now The Trimming Centre (https://www.thetrimmingcentre.co.uk/sunroofs) in East Sussex. They bought the complete business off the previous owners who were retiring 2-3 years ago-ish. The old place had a website (http://www.tudorwebastosunroofs.com/) with links at the bottom of the page to the original cutting and fitting process.

I had a Scimitar SE5a with a Webasto sunroof and a totally rotten wood frame. I contacted the Trimming Centre to see if they would do a replacement wood frame, and they finally agreed. They had just bought the business and stock so were sorting through everything. They duly sent me the frame kit to me in the USA and I had to very carefully remove the sunroof and rotten frame and fit the new. It all fitted perfectly and I had to match drill all the screw holes in the Scimitar roof.

I don't think it will be cheap to have done by them as a turnkey job, think maybe 2,000 GBP ballpark.

[Sebring440]

This will be a potentially very expensive exercise (if you get it done professionally) and will drastically devalue the car.

[Yertis]

geeman237 said:

I think the official maker and seller of the original folding style Tudor Webasto sunroofs is now The Trimming Centre (https://www.thetrimmingcentre.co.uk/sunroofs) in East Sussex. They bought the complete business off the previous owners who were retiring 2-3 years ago-ish. The old place had a website (http://www.tudorwebastosunroofs.com/) with links at the bottom of the page to the original cutting and fitting process.

I had a Scimitar SE5a with a Webasto sunroof and a totally rotten wood frame. I contacted the Trimming Centre to see if they would do a replacement wood frame, and they finally agreed. They had just bought the business and stock so were sorting through everything. They duly sent me the frame kit to me in the USA and I had to very carefully remove the sunroof and rotten frame and fit the new. It all fitted perfectly and I had to match drill all the screw holes in the Scimitar roof.

I don't think it will be cheap to have done by them as a turnkey job, think maybe 2,000 GBP ballpark.

Isn’t that a problem on the Scimitar, with the b-post roll-over hoops? Or is that the SE6 only?

[Legacywr]

Sebring440 said:

This will be a potentially very expensive exercise (if you get it done professionally) and will drastically devalue the car.

Why so?

My point being, if you had 2 1600E’s, both in the same condition, 1 with Webasto, 1 without, they’d both be the same value IMO.

They’re lovely things, too

[jon-yprpe]

This is a very timely thread - I’ve got a 2 door Range Rover and I’d love a webasto - like the Prince Philip one. Saw the Tudor website a couple of years ago (at the commencement of a very long resto) so great to have the details of the ‘new’ owners.

Also whether they devalue or add value is entirely subjective.

[geeman237]

Yertis said:

Isn’t that a problem on the Scimitar, with the b-post roll-over hoops? Or is that the SE6 only?

I believe you are correct. There was evidence of roof reinforcement being cut when I pulled back the headlining.

[neutral 3]

HateFull things, don’t do it ! I had a terrifying high speed spin in my 3 Litre Capri, due to a Webasto sunroof.
They ruin a cars lines and billow up @ speed.

This is what happened to this V-12 E-Type after it crashed off of a motorway down the embankment and went through a fence. The fence post has only come to a halt due to it stopping up against the edge of the E Types boot.

[neutral 3]

jon-yprpe said:

This is a very timely thread - I’ve got a 2 door Range Rover and I’d love a webasto - like the Prince Philip one. Saw the Tudor website a couple of years ago (at the commencement of a very long resto) so great to have the details of the ‘new’ owners.

Also whether they devalue or add value is entirely subjective.

My Lincoln green T reg RR had one fitted, so I replaced the roof panel and skipped the other one.

[Yertis]

geeman237 said:

I think the official maker and seller of the original folding style Tudor Webasto sunroofs is now The Trimming Centre (https://www.thetrimmingcentre.co.uk/sunroofs) in East Sussex. They bought the complete business off the previous owners who were retiring 2-3 years ago-ish. The old place had a website (http://www.tudorwebastosunroofs.com/) with links at the bottom of the page to the original cutting and fitting process.

I had a Scimitar SE5a with a Webasto sunroof and a totally rotten wood frame. I contacted the Trimming Centre to see if they would do a replacement wood frame, and they finally agreed. They had just bought the business and stock so were sorting through everything. They duly sent me the frame kit to me in the USA and I had to very carefully remove the sunroof and rotten frame and fit the new. It all fitted perfectly and I had to match drill all the screw holes in the Scimitar roof.

I don't think it will be cheap to have done by them as a turnkey job, think maybe 2,000 GBP ballpark.

An SE5 must be quite unique in the US.

[Ozzie Dave]

many years ago while rebuilding an Chrome bumper MGBGT, it had one of the '70's plastic flip up sunroofs fitted, as the interior was out I picked up a new Webasto from a car show for 40 pounds. With great trepidation I cut the section out of the roof leaving the reinforcing around the edges in. Fitted lovely and looked far better, didn't leak and just suited the car ( Old English White, chrome bumpers, wires and the black webasto with a black interior).
Ironically when going out gave 'a girl' a lift, she sat on the 'rear seat' and only fitted as the head and shoulders were out the roof.30 years later we are still married, its also the reason I ended up in OZ.

[Dr Interceptor]

I'd have one... Not sure I'd have one fitted, but I'd buy a car with one....But I appreciate they are entirely subjective things.

They're a bit like swimming pools in houses, when the house is up for sale, a pool will put off as many people as it will attract.

[Chunkychucky]

Legacywr said:

Why so?

My point being, if you had 2 1600E’s, both in the same condition, 1 with Webasto, 1 without, they’d both be the same value IMO.

To you, maybe - personally would never buy something with a Webasto roof. All the more for you!

[Ardennes92]

Must be over 40yrs since I fitted one that I bought at a show, to what was then a 5yr old RR, marked roof, blanket over interior, dropped headliner, checked about a dozen times and cut hole, fitted frame, roof & headliner. Never had a leak and no increase in wind noise (although never was a quite drive at speed). Looked “factory” and made a big difference when open travelling down to the Mediterranean. Doing now to an old car probably depends on what it is and what it is going to be used for but, i like them and pretty much every vehicle I have had since has been a convertible or a sunroof fitted, so a little biased.

[neutral 3]

After 29 years of searching for it, in late 2019, I discovered that my Late Dads last of 3 E-Types had survived, but devastated to see
that someone had fitted that vinle monstrosity to it.....

If I ever manage to find who bought it @ that auction in 2015 and twist their arm to sell it to me, it will be a nightmare job finding another roof skin for it, let alone find someone trustworthy enough to fit it.

Edited by neutral 3 on Tuesday 5th October 20:50

[Mr Tidy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I had to laugh when I read that as it reminded me of a work colleague back in the late 70s/early 80s who had a Herald 13/60. In the summer he used to just unbolt the roof!

Personally I wouldn't cut a hole in the roof of a classic to fit one, but I do like the electric glass sunroof in my 2005 3 Series.

[neutral 3]

Ardennes92 said:

Must be over 40yrs since I fitted one that I bought at a show, to what was then a 5yr old RR, marked roof, blanket over interior, dropped headliner, checked about a dozen times and cut hole, fitted frame, roof & headliner. Never had a leak and no increase in wind noise (although never was a quite drive at speed). Looked “factory” and made a big difference when open travelling down to the Mediterranean. Doing now to an old car probably depends on what it is and what it is going to be used for but, i like them and pretty much every vehicle I have had since has been a convertible or a sunroof fitted, so a little biased.

Any photos of it ?

[droopsnoot]

Mr Tidy said:

Personally I wouldn't cut a hole in the roof of a classic to fit one, but I do like the electric glass sunroof in my 2005 3 Series.

I considered fitting one when I restored my Sportshatch, because I have one in the Firenza and I do like it when I can have it open. But I decided against it in the end - too much chance of it not being quite square, or some other minor issue that no-one else will notice but I'll see every time I look at the car.

I've thought of trying to get a replacement roof for the Firenza and fitting it if the car has to be restored again, but I've since found out (and got the receipt) it was fitted 12 weeks after the car was first registered in 1976, so I think of it now as being as close to a factory option as there could have been, on a car where no factory options were offered.

[velocemitch]

TvrJohn said:

Can provide new covers and linings if required

Is this you saying you have a source of webasto (or similar) vinyl?

It's just I have one fitted in my Alfa GTV which is starting to split, its going to have to get repaired at some point in the next few months I think.

My roof was fitted by 'The Allard Motor Company' in about 1970, so I don't think its branded as Webasto.