71 Charger Roof issues

[jpdepenbusch76]

Looking at buying a 71 charger that started out life as a vinyl top car. Nature and lack of care have since removed the vinyl top and a good portion of the metal underneath it. Has some small holes on top of roof but the sides along the lower roof trim are rusted to the point that there is almost no metal left. Should I patch the holes good enough to go back to vinyl or get a donor roof? Planned on going back to vinyl but not sure which is the wiser option.

 

[loneagle]

Post pics of what you got then it would be easier to give you an opinion you might be better patching it but if bad enough donor wouldn't be bad idea either just depends on skill money and so on

 

[roadrunnerman]

Changing the roof can be one of the hardest and most frustrating repairs on a resto. Depending on your skills, a person would give up and try to find something else. I would check around Auto Metal Direct (AMD) or Autobody Specialties. They might have some roof skins which would be easier than replacing the whole roof. They are real helpful in answering questions too. Make sure the roof braces inside are good also, if the roof is that bad chances are the braces will need repaired/replaced. Some members here have cut out the old metal and replaced it with new. If you go that route, then make sure you treat and seal the roof real good. Good luck to you if you decide to buy it. Also, there might be some other year chargers that might work if you find a good one in a salvage yard. There is also a couple members here that part out cars all the time. Check the classified section for them.

 

[mrsnicks]

AMD currently does not make roof skins for 1971 and up Chargers.

Patrick

 

[jpdepenbusch76]

I will try and get ahold of the guy so I can get into the pasture and take some up close pics. All I had last time I inspected it was smart phone and dont like the pictures it takes.

 

[jpdepenbusch76]

Will try to get pics over lunch today. Just need to get into the pasture and past the cattle. seems like everytime I go out I see something else that needs attention.

 

[jpdepenbusch76]

Took some pics of the damage. Passenger side got a brunt of the damage, and it was a little more involved than last time I looked.

Hope these are good enough, the rail that holds the vinyl roof trim on the passenger side is gone and the chrome is kind of hanging in limbo.

 

[mrsnicks]

They make reproduction quarter panels that go up pretty high.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Quart...dge|Model:Charger&hash=item43b7ab1fd8&vxp=mtr

Patrick

 

[jpdepenbusch76]

Been looking on AMD's site, not seeing a panel for above and below the rear window. Do they or like goodmark make one for that area?

 

[YY1]

Al most all of the rust shown in those pics is on the quarter panels.

You can clearly see the seam between the quarters and the roof in those pics.

Roof might be able to be fixed, but I'd media blast it to see how thin it is.

Full quarters will take care of the rest.

Your "dutchman" panel even looks good.

 

[loneagle]

I'm gonna say from my experience yes full 1/4s will be needed but not new your gonna need used ones from diner car there is gonna be rot under the chrome around window and also down inside on the iner outer wheel houses then there is trunk floor trunk drop offs so on and oh yea rockers the roof is probably pretty thin throughout most of it looks like my blue 73 when I took roof off then a but of light sanding it blew through in many more spots as far as the Dutchman panel it might be ok but you will most likely be doing a ton of work on it to repair the rust it will have (hidden)

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

I agree, full quarters should have you mostly covered. From what I can see of the roof you could do your own patches if it's not too bad. As was already said, make sure you treat and seal it VERY well if you don't go with a complete donor roofskin. I'd recommend Chassis Saver, really nasty stuff and from what experience I've had with it so far it seals really well. Just don't get it on your hands lol

But with rot like that I strongly suggest you take a real good look at the rest of the car (rockers, frame rails, valances, door posts, wheelhouses) so you really know how much work it's gonna be.

 

[jpdepenbusch76]

I need to talk the guy into moving it inside seeing as how we are getting close to the season where its gonna be raining on it more and more. I had planned to use POR15 on the roof to prevent the rust from getting worse, but that was before I looked at the state of the quarter panels. From what we could tell the floorboards are amazingly in good shape still... but we havent really torn into it yet

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Yep getting it out of the field would be a good idea and make it easier for you to get underneath and get a better look at it. Heard good things about por15 "just don't get any water in it during application" and rust bullet. I just use chassis saver personally. Interesting the floor pan is still in good shape
Post some more pics when you get a chance to get a better look, hope it works out for you to save that poor Charger :icon_thumleft: