Model A sedan roof insert

J

jstoll123

New member
Any suggestions on replacing a 2 dr sedan roof with a steel insert, prefer to get a roof section from a junk yard car. Any ideas on what car to use? thanks
 
Why would you want to do this? You can buy the inserts from Hot Rod places, but the standard top works well.
If you want a stronger top, The Diablo Model A Club produces excellent videos, available in the Model A club store https://mafca.com/cart/index.php?productID=196
They change the top from the wire, and cloth; to a fiberboard base. The video is well done and easy to follow.
 
I have known cars that have an all steel top that also has the vinyl on top of that and you would be hard pressed to tell that the roof was all steel.
 
Mike V. Florida said:
I have known cars that have an all steel top that also has the vinyl on top of that and you would be hard pressed to tell that the roof was all steel.
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I agree. Lot's of skilled work to do properly. The very first Model A Tudor I owned (late 1970's), a previous owner had welded a steel insert in the top. The vinyl long short grain covering was glued on just like a vinyl top on 70's production cars and was perfect, no leaks and tight as a drum. Steel top insert is very common on street rods. Better to ask that group about donor top piece.
 
I cut the top out of a wrecking yard late '80's Jeep Cherokee last week and it is now laying on top of my extended cab Model A Pickup, ready for trimming and welding. It is longer than I needed but will get cut off and fitted nicely. Be a good fit for a Tudor. The piece i cut was 44" wide and 56" long. It was not easy to get that thing off the Cherokee due to the 'seam sealer' glue they (factory) had in htree places across the top. There were two cross supports that we also got. One of them will get put in across at the door post for extra support.

Is this the way the "Henry" purist would do it. nope. but it IS my way. he-he.
 
The trick is to find a donor top with a similar contour (shape), front to back and side to side, as the original Model A top. Don't just use a flat piece as it will not look right and be very noticeable.

Also, if you plan to have an original style interior headliner, be sure to make a plan BEFORE welding in the solid top. If you have rotted top wood or broken bows take care of them first.
 
The guy that did the body work on my car has a 1928 Tudor that he is hot rodding and he welded a roof section from a Dodge Caravan. I dont know what model year it was from. I can get a picture if you want.
 
I have seen instances of where a guy welded in a steel insert, then proceeded to cover it with vinyl to make it look original. I even know of one guy that did that to his Budd Cab late '31 pickup that came from the factory with a steel top. He thought someone down the line had converted it and he wanted it to "look original"
 
CarlG said:
I have seen instances of where a guy welded in a steel insert, then proceeded to cover it with vinyl to make it look original. I even know of one guy that did that to his Budd Cab late '31 pickup that came from the factory with a steel top. He thought someone down the line had converted it and he wanted it to "look original"
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That's exactly why you never want to rush into something, expecially if you're new to Model A's. It really pays to wait and drive the car if possible, or just fix small things one at a time to keep the car whole. After doing research and having many small parts restored, the chassis and body can be finished and reassembled much quicker. A couple cars in our club have been apart since the 60's and were good drivers when they were taken apart. It's real easy to loose interest and parts when things are apart for long periods of time.:mad:
 
At times I have thought about taking a mold from a roofs of model A's and make a fiberglass insert. that way it would have the grain and it could be painted to have the same sheen as the cloth. some times I day dream a lot. :)
 
Model A Man said:
At times I have thought about taking a mold from a roofs of model A's and make a fiberglass insert. that way it would have the grain and it could be painted to have the same sheen as the cloth. some times I day dream a lot. :)
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Yo, Model A Maniac, Dog:cool: here,
You sound like Ol'Bill, he NITE dreamed about a COMPUTATOR designed, COMPLETE, fiberglass roof fer yo' HOUSE, Jist squirt a lot uf sticky stuff on yo' roof & set the new one on with a HELICUMKOPTER, & YOU ALL SET!:D Buster T.:cool:
 
Model A Man said:
At times I have thought about taking a mold from a roofs of model A's and make a fiberglass insert. that way it would have the grain and it could be painted to have the same sheen as the cloth. some times I day dream a lot. :)
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It's those fender skirts that make your think that way! :D:p LOL
 
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