Tell me about.............sunroofs (Britax/Webasto)

[ShiteRider]

First day off in two months, i'm spending planning out the resto of my cortina estate.

Anyway to the point, the cars' had a glass pop out style sunroof fitted at some point in its life (and has since been siliconed shut)

i could replace the entire roof panel, but that would mean tracking one down and getting it back to me without it been fucked in the process or buying a donor car which i don't have space for.

Also the head lining will obviously have a big rectanglar whole in it,(also the car already has a vinyl roof which is getting pulled off due to damage/rust issues) so i was thinking of a webasto type roof.

So stupid questions:

1) What is the best make?

2) Are they universal fit ie; come in just a couple of different sizes. Or are they custom made to each car? (thinking could i pull one from a scrapper)

3) Do they come in kit form so i can fit it myself.

4) The car already has a vinyl roof which i don't think was original/needs replacement/i don't really like, the question being would a webasto look out of place on such a late (1982) car if the rest of the roof was body colour or do you think it would need a vinyl roof to 'hide' it.

No pictures to speak of so here's the ebay listing (i think Trigger of this parish has some photos of it from various shows).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cortina-mk5-2 ... 7675.l2557

[Junkman]

Ad 1) Webasto.

Ad 2) One size fits all.

Ad 3) Yes.

Ad 4) Yes, it would.

[ShiteRider]

Ad 1) Webasto.

Ad 2) One size fits all.

Ad 3) Yes.

Ad 4) Yes, it would.

Muchos gracias. (i was actually in your neck of the woods yesterday, picked up an immaculate complete interior for said car.)

[trigger]

I didn't know you bought BEV, that's a nice looking car.

 

1982 Ford Cortina 2.3 Ghia S Estate by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[dollywobbler]

Don't rule out the option of replacing it with another glass sunroof. We did this with our Mini. The new one happily leaked barely at all compared to the horrific original one. In fact, I'm not sure it leaked at all - I think it was mainly condensation from the water that had leaked through the windscreen/floors/bulkhead...

[Junkman]

Muchos gracias. (i was actually in your neck of the woods yesterday, picked up an immaculate complete interior for said car.)

 

Why didn't you pop by for a cuppa?

[ShiteRider]

I didn't know you bought BEV, that's a nice looking car.

 

1982 Ford Cortina 2.3 Ghia S Estate by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

Yeah bought her a while ago, just stockpiling parts at the moment then i'm going to take a couple of weeks off work and rip into her.

I've already got NOS quarters, i'm waiting for the inners to arrive, and i've loads of other odds and sods dotted about (wings doors valances etc).

I was just unsure what to do with the roof, the pop out thats in it is FUBAR, the vinyl is knackered so the webasto type roof seems like an ideal solution but i think the car is a little too new to carry it off.

[Junkman]

Considering the work you intend to invest in the car I would strongly suggest to close the sunroof.

[RichardMoss]

You don't have to have a vinyl roof if the body colour is OK - my MGC GT has a Britax roof and it looks alright. I reckon that the Webasto roof is better than the Britax one.

 

[Richard]

Webasto sunroofs ruin pretty much any car, stick with the glass one.

[RichardMoss]

Webasto sunroofs ruin pretty much any car, stick with the glass one.

When I bought my MG it had a god-awful glass hatch that looked completely out of place The folding sunroof was fitted to make it look better, which it does - very much better. I would prefer no sunroof but, like the OP don't have that option but the Weasto/Britax looks infinitely better as well as giving a targa-like feel but can cause buffeting if you don't have an air deflector (mine came from a scrap Peugeot 205 and cost a fiver)

[Richard]

I would have filled the hole, or at least pop-riveted a plate over it. I wouldn't see a Webasto as an option- to me the choices would be fix it properly, live with it or crush the car.

[crapcarcollector]

Well I'm gonna webasto the Silver AlfaSud when I get round to it because that's got an awful glass pop up roof in it.

[ShiteRider]

I would have filled the hole, or at least pop-riveted a plate over it. I wouldn't see a Webasto as an option- to me the choices would be fix it properly, live with it or crush the car.

Fuck me, you take no prisoners do yer!

[Des]

1982 Ford Cortina 2.3 Ghia S Estate by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

I normally think those aftermarket sunroofs a nasty thing, but on that Cortina it looks exactly right, if it wasn't there it would appear somethings missing.

[Guest]

Renault Twingo electric Webasto type sun roof.

Removable as a whole from donor , two wires to power.

Seal in with proper caravan sealant - never hanrdens.

Job done.