Fabric sun roof

Fabric sun roof

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Discussion

1969tuscan

Original Poster:

650 posts

104 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
In the 70s. I had a tvr tuscan with a wabesto sunroof ,I now own a 1969 vixen ongoing Restoration and would love to fit a fabric sunroof problem is I can't find one small enough ,plenty new old stock on the market but all to big to fit the vixen any member know were I can get one or have one for sale ?

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
That's exactly what i am up against at the moment with my 1976 3000M.
It seems the standard width is 34 3/4"(882mm) and the length is 21"(533mm)(TVR 3000M).
I think you can buy a standard roof e.g. width 882mm and then adjust the length.
Can you give information on addresses of standard kits for Britax Weathershield please.
I get the impression that it's CHASSE GARDER (protected domaine).
I am looking at renewing the Weathershield cover and also the rest of the Vinyl/Leathercloth/Rexin to keep my car original. It seems too easy just to replace the Weathershield cover only and loose forever the look as it left the factory
Alan

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
hi Tim,
thanks for coming to the rescue again. I have some samples from Segal Trim now and i'm waiting for another different shade.
The Vinyl you used from Segal was it with a rubberised back like original or with the material backing. I wonder if rubberised is needed for the sliding/folding part.
Do you remember what reference you used please.
Sorry for being a pain but i would just like to get it right first time.
Many thanks in advance
Alan

TCTVR

83 posts

107 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Is a Vixen sunroof the same size as a 3000M? If so then Adrian has some refurbished ones in stock and for sale


phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Exactly what I am after.

1969tuscan

Original Poster:

650 posts

104 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Hi that's the reason I started the post to see if anyone had one spare do you have a number for him or an email address , wth being new to pistonheads I don't no is name to get in touch regards keith

the other tim

136 posts

146 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
plasticpig72 said:
hi Tim,
thanks for coming to the rescue again. I have some samples from Segal Trim now and i'm waiting for another different shade.
The Vinyl you used from Segal was it with a rubberised back like original or with the material backing. I wonder if rubberised is needed for the sliding/folding part.
Do you remember what reference you used please.
Sorry for being a pain but i would just like to get it right first time.
Many thanks in advance
Alan
Hi Alan,
I think we have our wires crossed, I've not fitted a vinyl roof but I am considering a sunroof to replace the glass hatch currently fitted. Littleport Boathaven is pretty local to me and I know they deal with both types of roof, I thought it might be useful to you. Have you got the timing cover yet?

Tim


Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

148 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
1969tuscan said:
Hi that's the reason I started the post to see if anyone had one spare do you have a number for him or an email address , wth being new to pistonheads I don't no is name to get in touch regards keith
http://www.exactly-tvr.demon.co.uk/
A

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Sorry Tim,
i was getting mixed with Chris52 who DIY recovered the roof on his car.
I contacted Adrian and he does not want to supply as a DIY. I am looking for only the Vinyl cover Fawn/ Parchment colour and the back holding plate. Running along the side edges the seams in the Vinyl are welded. I think what i will do is contact the local specialist who fitted a head lining in my 1600M. I prefered the idea of welded seams in the Vinyl as original.
The size on my 3000M for the cover is 34 3/4" X 21" so it is the standard width for Weathershield and you can easily adjust the length 21" to get the right tension.
I am sure i will find a solution and when i do i will post info
Alan

Edited by plasticpig72 on Sunday 15th January 08:10

1969tuscan

Original Poster:

650 posts

104 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Thanks Andrew very helpful as usual, had a chat to Adrian couldn't supply me with one but gave me insight as what to look for, if I do find one that requires work then he's the man to contact ,regards Keith

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
quote Tim"Have you got the timing cover yet?"
Yes Tim and it's spot on, well pleased. Early type with bearing boss off set to right, so i can fit short Zodiac fan belt.
Sorry for going off the subject boys.
Info: i have just recieved Vinyl sample from Woolies and it looks better for the Weathershield and covering the roof. Not too stretchy and more solid than the Segal Vinyl. I'm just waiting for a sample from Martrim exterior Vinyl.
Alan

vicankim

40 posts

164 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
The standard sunroof in an MGBGT is the correct width and similar curvature but too long. However, it is very easy to shorten both the outer cover and the channels to fit. Big advantage is that the later ones have an internal steel ring frame that strengthens the fibreglass roof and must help to prevent screen popping.
I know this works as I replaced my original Vixen S2 sunroof with one of these some years ago when you could buy a decent one for £80. Somewhere on here there is an old thread about this.

Steve

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
Now that is good news, we just need to find the thread with more details.
Alan

1969tuscan

Original Poster:

650 posts

104 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
Hi ,Thought it might b possible to shorten a standard size one ,but after talking to Adrian he recons that the depth for the head cloth is much less than the standard setup did you have any problems?

vicankim

40 posts

164 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
No problems and I am 6'2". I would never want to contradict Adrian but the head lining with a sunroof fitted is probably drawn up higher than on a non-sunroof car as it has to meet the aperture. Photo of internal ring frame below:-



Can look for other pics if this is of interest.

Steve

1969tuscan

Original Poster:

650 posts

104 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Thanks Steve any pictures would help ,is the one in the picture the modern one with the metal inner frame ,is it a webesto ,regards keith

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

148 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Well done Steve, this sounds good news
Alan

vicankim

40 posts

164 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Away from my PC until the weekend but will look for photos then.
It is a Britax Weathershield. Early MGB GTs had the same design as the Vixen and 'M'; that is thin polished aluminium channels bolted directly to the roof without the internal frame. The change to the internal frame design with thicker external black aluminium channels, I suspect came to the MG when they did the major upgrade to that lovely rubber bumper model around 1974. However, I do not believe TVR ever used this design.

Steve

vicankim

40 posts

164 months

Monday 23rd January 2017
quotequote all
These are photos of the MGBGT sliding element of the roof when purchased:-




Here it is as fitted to the VIXEN and also with the sliding roof taken out of the channels:-





Sorry do not have a complete picture of the internal ring frame but I think you can see how it all comes together from the above. To reduce its length, I took material out of both the external channels and the internal frame at the front. The later obviously had to be welded back together as previous pic above. The sliding roof requires the two rearmost panels and the centre guide to be discarded. Fortunately, the outer cover on the one I obtained was in good condition. This just needed to be pealed of the rear end plate, shortened and re-glued. There are also a couple of guide tapes either side of the roof lining, as I remember, that need work.

Inspect the end plates as best you can before buying. Any sign of rust under the vinyl, then walk away. They are double curvature with all that implies to replace.

I am not saying this is the perfect solution but it is a feasible option to consider.

Steve