2nd Gen Camaro Roof replacement

[Radlark]

How hard is to do, is it worth it, should I just try and get a new roof from a donor car?
They make replacement skins for the 2nd gen has anyone every used these?

The vehicle had a vinyl top on it (code for "let's hide this "ISH" its a 74 camaro, and on one protion the person tried to fix it like it was a plaster wall...SMDH..WTF
I have holes in the roof (see pics)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[1976CamaroGuy]

I would personally get a good doner roof before I bought a skin...it's be easier to mess with and fit a lot better. I've never installed one but it's got to be easier than doing quarters...you just have to make sure the car is level and square before cutting and welding

[elitecustombody]

Brand new skin is the way to go if it's available, I wouldn't even think twice about buying some old rusted junk ,drill spotwelds,and try to get it to work on your car. New metal beats used junk hands down

[Radlark]

Brand new skin is the way to go if it's available, I wouldn't even think twice about buying some old rusted junk ,drill spotwelds,and try to get it to work on your car. New metal beats used junk hands down

I appreciate the feedback I have found a few options:

1. Replacement roof from a donor car ($175)
2. New skin for the roof ($125)

I will go with the replacement skin!

[1976CamaroGuy]

good luck getting that replacement skin to fit! I have learned that you can't beat vintage sheet metal versus repop, google it and you'll see. The replacement metal offering these days is a little thinner too depending on what you buy. The roof skins aren't very forgiving with welding.

It's a hit and miss on repop stuff. get a complete, undamaged, orginal roof...if it's rusty bead blast it....it'll look as good as new and meet OE standards because it was OE.

Don't say I didn't warn ya :-)

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143093

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200179

http://camaroforums.com/forum/2nd-generation-12/roof-skin-replace-aftermarket-sunroof-47235/

[Radlark]

good luck getting that replacement skin to fit! I have learned that you can't beat vintage sheet metal versus repop, google it and you'll see. The replacement metal offering these days is a little thinner too depending on what you buy. The roof skins aren't very forgiving with welding.

It's a hit and miss on repop stuff. get a complete, undamaged, orginal roof...if it's rusty bead blast it....it'll look as good as new and meet OE standards because it was OE.

Don't say I didn't warn ya :-)

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143093

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200179

http://camaroforums.com/forum/2nd-generation-12/roof-skin-replace-aftermarket-sunroof-47235/

I have googled it and I have red those threads, my concern is the alignment issues if I were to cut off the entire roof as a whole because I am doing it myself and I am learning as I go along. I have heard that you open yourself up to a new can of worms once you cut the entire roof as a whole. The people that I have spoke to says that the roof skin is a lot better to do if it is a first time.
I want to do it right but I guess i get conflicting answers from different people, again I am doing this my self so I guess I am trying to get all the information and advice I can get in order to choose the route that I am going to go.

I truly appreciate the feedback I am getting and the links as well, I know being in SoCal, I just feel that the cost to take this to someone to do will cost more than what I bought the car for (and I got a SCREAMIN deal)

[MrQuick]

i'd get the car stripped of oll of its rust and bondo before you make the decision. Im sure the sections you see are only the tip of the iceberg. You have a lot of support structures in there that are not available.

Look at it this way....you could have the only 2nd gen convertible out there.


Vince

[Radlark]

i'd get the car stripped of oll of its rust and bondo before you make the decision. Im sure the sections you see are only the tip of the iceberg. You have a lot of support structures in there that are not available.

Look at it this way....you could have the only 2nd gen convertible out there.


Vince



LMFAO.......Thanks vince .....funny thing about that....I actually thought about it that way as well hilarious!!

[SLO_Z28]

I had to replace the roof in my 74 Z28 for the exact same reason. I went with a repro, and it was relatively easy to replace. The fit was rather exceptional. Ive been thinkning about putting the soft roof back on, heres a pic of the car when it was new:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/2213290014_large-1.jpg

[elitecustombody]

In the first link,the car is 1st gen, so it doesn't even count, and I am positive, if you buy AMD roof skin, it will fit like a glove.

I didn't see any fitment issues with cars in second link and no proof of poor fitment in third link.

I'm sure anyone who can weld and has basic body repair knowledge can handle a new roof skin job, even if it needs some adjustments, it's easier and overall better than welding 20 patches on rusted junk.


good luck getting that replacement skin to fit! I have learned that you can't beat vintage sheet metal versus repop, google it and you'll see. The replacement metal offering these days is a little thinner too depending on what you buy. The roof skins aren't very forgiving with welding.

It's a hit and miss on repop stuff. get a complete, undamaged, orginal roof...if it's rusty bead blast it....it'll look as good as new and meet OE standards because it was OE.

Don't say I didn't warn ya :-)

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143093

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200179

http://camaroforums.com/forum/2nd-generation-12/roof-skin-replace-aftermarket-sunroof-47235/

[Radlark]

In the first link,the car is 1st gen, so it doesn't even count, and I am positive, if you buy AMD roof skin, it will fit like a glove.

I didn't see any fitment issues with cars in second link and no proof of poor fitment in third link.

I'm sure anyone who can weld and has basic body repair knowledge can handle a new roof skin job, even if it needs some adjustments, it's easier and overall better than welding 20 patches on rusted junk.

Ordered my replacement skin today!!!!

[Radlark]

I had to replace the roof in my 74 Z28 for the exact same reason. I went with a repro, and it was relatively easy to replace. The fit was rather exceptional. Ive been thinkning about putting the soft roof back on, heres a pic of the car when it was new:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/2213290014_large-1.jpg

Thanks for the encouraging words I ordered my replacement skin today.

[1976CamaroGuy]

Ordered my replacement skin today!!!!



how did this work out for you? Any fittment issues?