Am I mad for even contemplating this??!!

Well after discovering that my sunroof lifts out and always wanting something with no rood or a big open roof and a few minutes on ebay I have found a couple of interesting items on ebay:

VW POLO 1.0 OPENAIR OPEN AIR SUNROOF VGC BREAKING 1998 on eBay (end time 12-Sep-09 10:17:27 BST)

VW POLO OPEN AIR ROOF on eBay (end time 20-Sep-09 12:14:31 BST)

Would just need to take the headlining out, cut the hole (and then coat edges in something to stop rust!), place roof in there, provide power to the control, cut hole in roof lining, replace lining along with trim that goes round roof and then bobs your uncle!

Would probably enlist the help of a garage to undertake the cutting though but could potentially have it done in a couple of days!

Can anyone think of any other things I may need to consider?

Strength of the roof still be ok as sides still there?

Obviously would need to be declared to insurance.

Phil

Can anyone think of any other things I may need to consider?

UK weather?

Piccies in the first of the two links doesn't look assuring (mildly put).

My guess is that removing part of the tinfoil that serves as roof on a Felly shouldn't have impact on stability as long as you don't cut any girder (or what they're called) that may be vital part of the bodyworks. And maybe an over-zealous MOT inspector would disagree? Not sure what UK regulations says there.

It doesn't look as good, but what about one of the Peugeot ones that retract over the roof? The issue with tilt and slides that retract under the fixed roof is that they reduce headroom in the car, presuming they'll work at all with a Felly headliner. Actually, is it a flexible or moulded liner?

Do it!

Thought that the polo roof does retract over the roof and not inside it?

That's what it looks like anyway.

Not sure what peugeot you're referring to but can't think of any like this.

Oh just looked... pic of the Polo roof with the sliding roof folded up near the back of the roof:

P.s. Babs... you really shouldn't say things like that... I really REALLY am tempted to do this.

All the parts bar a bit of wiring and a relay come with the roof itself if it comes complete and doubt it would cost that much to cut the roof open... I could do it myself with some help of people more skilled and with the tools that I know though so could actually be a pretty cheap mod too.

It would certainly be unique. Just want to check that there are supports there or if there are if I would need to add something in. Maybe there is just some bits like under the bonnet that add support to the roof (to stop it from bending/sagging)?

I have just emailed someone about one that they're breaking up in Darlington so not too far for me to pick it up and assist in the removal to make sure all is well with the roof etc.

Oh god... here we go...

Phil

Edited 3 September, 200916 yr by philje123

Ah, I was thinking of a glass tilt & slide roof, not a folding fabric one like you illustrate Phil. As for the Peugeot roof, just keep looking at the smaller (100 and 200 series), and if you can find them 309s, cars and you'll see some with external glass sunroof guides sooner or later.

Did you not here me? DO IT!

One word - Webasto. If you're going to do it, do it properly. Remember the Fabia VRE LE with the Webasto sunroof?

What do you call an open top Skoda again?

Skips aside, this looks like a fun mod. I had a Suzuki SJ410 with an aftermarket rag-top fitted. Nice in the summer, but noisy as hell on the motorway!

If you don't like it you could just fit a machine gun to the roof and sell it to some generic terrorists. Just don't give them the radio code.

One word - Webasto. If you're going to do it, do it properly. Remember the Fabia VRE LE with the Webasto sunroof?

Yup! Looked into who made them and found this companies name.

Was thinking of getting in touch and asking some questions.

Won't be able to afford to get a new one fitted by them though that's why the polo one sprung to mind as they are a similar size car with some second hand roofs available cheaply.

The one in Darlington is complete apart from the motor to drive the roof but is in good nick.

No worries Ken... should have posted the picture in the first post to clarify.

I know exactly what roofs you mean now on the Pugs.

Phil

EDIT:

Just got the number of a place in Wakefield called 'Vinyl and Sunroof co.' found through the Webasto site. Will give them a ring out of curiosity.

I have been looking at some pictures of the polo and it doesn't have the little ridges at the edges of the roof like the Felly which may cause a problem as the roof wouldn't have a flat mounting surface. From what I read in some old forum posts the whole thing just screws in and is a complete unit but not sure ho wit fits in and seals to the roof. Not sure if these cars were prepared from the factory for the rood system and have a more complicated roof than just a whole cut in it.

Edited 4 September, 200916 yr by philje123