[Dees67]

Ok, I expect I'm going to go down in flames faster than ChevyLover on a "Camero" rant,
but I can't help wondering about this question:

What's so bad about adding a sunroof?

Is it just because it was never a factory option? But neither were Torque Thrust wheels,
or late model paint colors or shaved door handles, or rolled fenders or any number of
other cosmetic changes.

Is it because it weakens the structural integrity of the unibody? Add a pair of subframe
connectors and you'll be stiffer than a stock convertble.

Live with the heat? Tell that to all the folks who've added AC systems to their vintage
ponies. At least a sunroof let's you stay cool in real fresh air.

Leaks? That's just workmanship - do it right and it'll work properly.

So what's the reasoning? Or am I just a

Rich
'67 C-code 'vert (Dees67)
'69 GT FB (project car)
Milford, NH
Check out my band: Brickyard Blues

 

[Guest]

If you want to put in a sunroof, I say go ahead an do it. 'Course, nobody will like you anymore, we don't know exactly why...

Dan
Be a good dad to your kids and phone your mom twice a week...

 

[Guest]

Do the surgery but please tell me it's not a particularly rare or pristine model.
A lot of folks look at cutting into your Mustang as to painting a moustache on your own mom's portrait.

http://usn.tripod.com/mustang.GIF

"Sometimes a man's life can depend on a mere scrap of information."-The man with no name

 

[Dees67]

Bear in mind - this is a purely theoretical question. I don't have any
particular model in mind.

Rich
'67 C-code 'vert (Dees67)
'69 GT FB (project car)
Milford, NH
Check out my band: Brickyard Blues

 

[Guest]

Leaks are not workmanship, they are inherent to sunroofs and t-tops. In my work in the legal field I have seen thousands of engineering documents related to sunroofs and t-tops for the now 2 domestic auto makers. No engineer ever devised a way to get t-tops and sunroofs to stop leaking on cars where these were factory options. The rate was over 90 out of a 100 cars with these options would develop squeeks, rattles, and leaks neither could they overcome the design flaw where there is a possibility of becoming a projectile during a collision. If the factory can't make it right, I don't believe that Joe at the sunroof place can either.

 

[Guest]

Just a personal thing, but I think there UGLY!! Especially on a Mustang!!

65 coupe 302
(rebuilding a 351W)

 

[Guest]

Hey, if you want one go for it. Have to agree with another post, don't cut into a rare one. But for the average model, if you enjoy it, why not? As far as leaks, if it's done right you should have no problems. I have an '87 Maxima with 233K miles. No leaks, rattles, or any other problems.

 

[Guest]

Alan:

I wouldnt put a sun roof on a classic mustang anyway, but to argue your point about them leaking...

I've owned a 1992 Eclipse with a factory sunroof since 1992.

For the past 11 years, it has not leaked ONCE. The car and I spent most of the time in Connecticut and then in Illinois, in rain, hail, huge thuderstorms, and blizzards. Not one drop of water has ever entered the car (unless I forgot the windows open!)

So, if done correctly, they don't leak

Tom
Check out my 66 Coupe, almost finished!

http://www.members.home.net/tomtalford

66 Coupe:
302, AFR heads, Tremec 5 speed, Performer RPM, MSD Ignition, 9" w/ 3.70 gears, 4 wheel disc, subframe connectors, etc

 

[autoxsteve]

I say go for it, if you want one. However, I would not install one on a collectable (like a shelby, or rare car). However, my car is a 65 coupe and I've thought of it, but probably won't since my head already hits the headliner. Anyway tell everyone that it's your car, so there/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif!

My mother has a 1984 Mazda 626 with an aftermarket retractable moonroof. She had a small problem with the motor a couple of years ago, but that is fixed and no leaks (it was installed in 1986). So, they can work well, if installed properly.

Steve Leslie, 65 coupe in restoration. 302, toploader, A/C, disc brakes, bench seat

 

[Gene_J]

Factory sunroofs generally do not leak because they are all engineered that way. They have drains built in etc that you will not see.

After market sunroofs are generally cheesy and are just a piece of glass in a frame. These things leak and IMHO just do not look as nice as the factory roofs. But then to each his own. I would hesitate putting in an aftermarket SR.

Gene J

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1584519&a=12058180&p=43615717.jpg
66 Coupe/66 Convert/84 GT Turbo/96 coupe

Gene's cars

 

[ken_schall]

All the other stuff you mention'd can be changed.. Look at a sunroof as a Tatoo..... if your will to live with for the rest of it's life..... then do it..... if not..?????

Ken
99 GTP
97 Yukon
68 GT vert

 

[70_Cougar]

I have considered this for my current project. Even to the point of pondering about cutting a well designed unit from a modern car and welding it in place. Also pondered a retractable roof but those things are BUTT ugly when up and then the trunk lid is awfull. Also thought about removing the roof and putting snaps on the windshield header and having a custom cover made. All have drawbacks and some have major drawbacks. not to mention the unibody stiffening required. It all comes down to person choice. I most likely will not do any of these but it is fun to dream about it. John

It would be a shame to have passed the test but to have missed the lesson.

 

[pprince]

Most aftermarket sunroofs look ugly. They stick up and have a thick frame around them. Yuch.

Back in the 60's some aftermarket company put in softtop sunroofs in california. I have seen photo's and they actually looked nice, imho.

Paul
1965 Mustang 2+2
1989 Mustang GT Convertible
MCA #27261
MCA certified judge for 65's and late models

 

[Guest]

I would not put one on my coupe, but I hav e a factory one on my wife's Olds, and it has never leaked.

92 olds supercharged touring sedan (big mama's)
ranger 4x4-66 mustang coupe
78 honda cb 750 ( restoring ) it's done!

 

[Mike_B]

I've never been big on body modifcations on Mustangs. To me sunroofs, flared fenders, shaved door handles and the like are in poor taste on Mustangs. Just doesn't look right to me. I'm not a purist or anything, I really love Kustom Kars from the '50s. I also have plenty of mechanical mods, but I say leave the body alone! An exception to this is bolt-on shelby 'glass, which always looks cool to me and is reversable.

Just my opnion.

http://216.71.48.244/archive/mikecar.jpg



65 Fastback 289 4spd in storage :-(
91 CRX Si... A.K.A. my go-kart with AC!
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Mike_B on 04/09/01 02:11 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Mach1Pilot]

There is a legitimate argument about structural integrity that I don't think the subframe connectors will help. The expanse of metal on the roof gives it its strength and will allow it to survive a roll-over without collapsing unless the car is airborne and lands on the roof. When a sunroof is installed at the factory, there is a lip installed around the perimeter of the sunroof than helps retain the normal roof strength. Aftermarket installations generally do not include that reinforcing lip zand so the crush resistance of the roof is significantly weakend. That weakness often leads to flex, which is why so many of the aftermarket installations end up leaking. So, if you install the roof try to address this issue rather than the overall structural rigidity of the vehicle.

Our Ponies
http://www.ultranet.com/~bpratt/images/Mach1painted.jpg http://www.ultranet.com/~bpratt/images/65vert.jpg

 

[390GTAcv]

Never say never !!!! There used to be a `64 1/2 "D" code red on red coupe in my area with a FACTORY sun roof ,it now is back in the Spokane,Wa.area or at least it was 1 1/2 year ago.

 

[mlnielsen]

I've got three magazine articles with vintage Mustang sunroofs. One original 66, one heavily modified 66, and one heavily modified 73. I'll try and scan the three articles tonight. There are six pages total.

[color:blue]
1967 Acapulco Blue coupe
302 4V, C4, 9" 3.25:1
Torq-Thrust "D" 225-60-14
1968 PDB, Corbeau
LeCarra, Alpine in-dash CD
http://www.geocities.com/mlnielsen_67/index.htm
WEBSITE UPDATED 3/25/01
</font color=blue>

 

[red66]

Wonder if I should put one in my convertible??! /forums/images/icons/tongue.gif

http://66cherry.stangnet.com
Member NTMC
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1611748&a=12299913&p=45161411&Sequence=0&res=high.jpg[/url]

 

[Guest]

do what ever floats your boat! personally i think they were never meant to have sunroofs, it is like teaching an old dog new tricks! they just dont go together!