Sunroof in a stepdown?

Snailslayer

I was curious to know if anyone has grafted a sunroof into a stepdown body. I thought a sliding fold back ragtop like on the pre 63 VW beetles or a VW Deluxe bus might be a cool custom trick. the curvature may not match perfect but maybe an aftermarket one from streetbeatcustoms or equivelant? just a thought - any pics appreciated!



Brad

[Deleted User]

Cool thought Brad. I've often wondered how to do it. You make the point that I saw before, that is, how to match the roof curvature right. I liked the electric ones, but also we have to be concerned about how thick it is on the inside. If done right, I think your ragtop idea is cool.

Jay

Snailslayer

The VW ragtops are only a couple inches deep. When grafting they typically only leave about 3 or 4 inches of roof sheet metal around the perimeter and then match it up to the appropriate hole cut into the roof. My buddy did this and just used some mud to blend it in. I bet it would be pretty close to the curve, maybe a bus one would be better as its bigger (more expensive). the top of the VW roofs where the sunroof is relatively flat



but i also wonder how much the curve could be tweaked and still function and be water tight. Wish i had a hudson in front of me to make a cardboard template just to satisfy my curiosity. Or maybe I should just get Photoshop...



Brad

MikeWA

We had a '56 Bug with sunroof when I was growing up, and I'll bet the curvature is about right. We had a lot of fun with it- it rolled back far enough that the rear seat passengers could stand up through it, and I got a lot of laughs from passersby one time- My sister had left her riding quirt (little whip like jockeys use) in the car, and we were going up a mountain pass in second gear, at about 20 miles per hour. So I stood up through the roof, and urged it along by whipping its "hindquarters" with the quirt. Seemed to kind of defuse the frustration of the traffic piled up behind.

Unknown

To answer your questions, yes to both...

1. At one time Bill Albright had a customized Hudson sedan with an installed sun roof. It might have had two... memory fades after a decade or so... definitely had one over the rear passenger compartment.

2. In the late 60s the national Hudson club magazine White Triangle News published a member picture of a 4 door sedan which had been modified with a slide back convertible top. Again ... from memory... that installation was based on a rail system. The metal work supporting the side openings was intact; the metal turret top was removed and replaced with a sliding canvas roof that could be pushed all the way to the back of the car. Essentially a convertible sedan, possibly someone owns a copy of this car picture to scan and post here?

Browniepetersen

There was a (and might still be) brougham (1949 if I remember right) here in Utah that had a sun roof. I am not sure what was used but I will see the guy that did it Saturday at a car show. I'll ask. by the way, my 1936 English Salon has a factory sun roof. It is covered with convertible top material and slides back under a soft top. It covers about 60 percent of the top.

[Deleted User]

Brownie, can you post a pic of the Salon's sunroof? Sounds cool.

Browniepetersen

Will do early next week. I have it out of house doing the wiring and replacing the rear end. I should have an update by sometime next week and I will include a shot or two of the sunroof....

Snailslayer

Are there any other vintage makes and models that had foldback sunroofs that could be used?

[Deleted User]

Didn't some Morris Minor's have one like that? But even so, I'd imagine those are next to impossible to find.

[Deleted User]

here is a company that makes sliding folding ragtop sunroofs. http://www.slidingragtops.com/28.html?i1061653:page=4

[Deleted User]

Those look real nice, though I'm not sure what they would look like on a lead sled. Would one lose some of the sled effect with a sun roof like that bunched up on top when it's open? Have to think about that one.

[Deleted User]

How about a Citroen? Also, for those who are interested, My condition has improved somewhat. Still it is DAY by DAY. No driving, got out of the house Saturday for the first time in weeks. Supposed to start Physical training in the next week. My condition was directly related to my heart condition. I'll post more later.
Bob

[Deleted User]

Bob:

Good to see you posting again. Hope to see you at PF if you can make it. If not, hope you can have visitors, or maybe we can parade by so you can see this years HET products. Thanks, another Bob

RL Chilton

A Stepdown would be tougher, due to the curvature of the roof, but certainly a possibility.



There was a club member who put one into a '31(?) Essex. The entire car was painted like a couple of American flags. Really cool paint job. Maybe someone on here knows who I'm talking about.

rambos_ride

There's plenty of cars that have a sunroof that might work in a stepdown

Maybe one of these?

Snailslayer

rambo, i was thinking one with a canvas top, not a metal or glass one as on new cars like the new beetle you posted. this style of sunroof on my 57 Beetle. The streetbeat custom tops (previously posted link may be the way to go for ease but ive heard mixed reviews on the quality.

RL Chilton

Hudson308-



Yep, that's the one.



Dan-



Good Choice! I'll bet that one could be made to fit fairly easily . . . should be close, anyway.