Webasto Sunroof?

[Martin B]

I have just acquired a 1972 Jensen Interceptor with a view to restoring it. This car has been locked away in garage since 1989 and has only done less than a 1,000 miles since the last MOT in 1986. It looks like it has been fitted with a aftermarket Webasto Sunroof. I presume this would not be a factory fit and must have been fitted at some point in the cars life? Could any members have any comments on this?

[Mark1Stu]

No way is that an original fit.

Those sort of aftermarket sunroofs were all the rage in the late '70s early 80s and more suited to an owner of a mass produced base model Vauxhall or Ford owner than a high end executive car such as a Jensen.

Leaving it in situ will be the best way to crucify the car's value in my opinion. I'm no fan of the sliding fabric Webasto sunroof either, but I'd prefer the roof being cut wider to fit one than that horrendous piece of glass.

That said, you don't see many high end Astons or Ferraris with fabric roofs post £0000 restorations, so I'd plump for a roof reskin or professional repair. I don't believe you can buy a new roof panel, so the challenge will be finding a good roof chopped off a breaker (getting harder to find by the day and circa £1500+). Perhaps http://www.pbcm.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; would be a good source of advice?

Just tread carefully if you're entrusting work to a so called professional. Speak to those who have had similar work done and then check the work yourself to establish whether their idea of quality matches yours.

Hope my opinion (others will have a different view I'm sure) is of help.

Stuart

[Keith]

I don't know why you thinks that's a Webasto sunroof, as Stuart says, it's just a cheap accessory-shop affair. You will have to get rid.

[cannonball]

you can remove that and get a good body man to patch it, and make perfect again, there are no structure supports in that area so a good job done new headlining and your cooking,

[colin7673]

It's your car, if you like it there, then keep it..

[DPP]

I would look at getting it filled in, you will need a very good metalwork guy to do this as it will not be easy and a bad job could make more problems on the roof if too much heat is used.

I would remove the vinyl first to see if there are any more problems especially at the rear where the rear hatch puts a lots of stress on the roof via the hinges.

[Martin B]

This is my other Jensen which will be a time consuming Project

[Oxymoron]

My car has a Webasto fabric folding roof and it does transform the car when driving down some country roads with the roof open!

You can still get the Webasto folding type with electric operation too.

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[Frankoid]

Rather than welding a panel in the roof and risking heat distortions, would it be possible to glue in a panel with modern adhesives (particularly if the vinyl roof was retained)?

[Chris_R]

My car has a Webasto fabric folding roof and it does transform the car when driving down some country roads with the roof open!

Totally agree. Even on motorways too. Although if you suffer from alopecia you can get sunburnt on a very sunny day. Hat definitely needed.

[Steve Payne]

Rather than welding a panel in the roof and risking heat distortions, would it be possible to glue in a panel with modern adhesives (particularly if the vinyl roof was retained)?

I was thinking the same, even if the new panel was spot welded every couple of inches the likelihood of distortion would be dramatically reduced.

Saying that I have seen Roman do some amazing repairs to bits like bonnets that are hard to see.

Steve

[Oxymoron]

My car has a Webasto fabric folding roof and it does transform the car when driving down some country roads with the roof open!

Totally agree. Even on motorways too. Although if you suffer from alopecia you can get sunburnt on a very sunny day. Hat definitely needed.

Yes,I was surprised by the lack of buffeting even at motorway speeds with the roof open!

[Michael Richardson]

Martin. That glass panel on your car is what we used to call a 'poptop' You could release the rear handle,and the glass would pop out. You could then put in a Perspex deflector to reduce boom. I have fitted hundreds of these in my time at about £100 each. They worked very well on Minis,with the rear quarter lights open. A Webasto is a whole different ball game. Fitted by approved specialist bodyshops,and generally to top end cars.because they were expensive.The roof usually had to be reinforced,and the headlining changed. As commented, they are an asset to any car.

[Richie]

I had an MG B GT with a Webasto roof and I really liked it. On a dry winter's day, the heater seemed to work better with it open too.
I think you have two options here...fill the hole in, or make the hole bigger and go for a Webasto.
But that current sun roof has to go.
Good luck with the projects.

[Frankoid]

Saying that I have seen Roman do some amazing repairs to bits like bonnets that are hard to see.

Steve

Is Roman on the forum? I would like to hear what he has to say