View Full Version : Re Roofing a Nova
I've come on a very very clean 84 Corsa A that was bought a few years ago for parts and so has been sat on its roof a the back of a Mechanic's Garage. The Doors are both rotten and all the glass has ben removed as well as the rear hubs and steering rack. Right, these arent hard to replace but as its on its roof, its gonna be mangled.
Now due to its rarety, age, being an origiopnal Irish car and haveing a cool reg (**** IH) and the fact that I have everything to make it a GT Rep (apart from the interior) it'd be a shame to do anything other than restoring it. So without actually seeing the roofs condition, what is my best option?
New Roof or is fitting a complete roof (1/2 way up each pillar) going to be easier?
Pistol Pete
22-09-08, 01:53 PM
I think you can buy fibre glass roof panels. Seen some for sale, but cant remember where!!??
Or cut the roof from another Nova?
if you fit an fg roof your gonna need a hefty cage
i wood sa fitting a complete roof (1/2 way up each pillar) going to be easier mate
No, i dont want a fibre glass roof, its to be an origional GT Replica, not a racer.
Anyone ever done it before? (looks for Burgo)
Unpicking the spot welds isnt to hand but is a very long prosess. Then you'd have to do the same on the other car then swap therm over. but thats just the roof skin, not the whole roof.
Whole roof, you'd get some kinda jig to hold everything in place, then cut it half way down the pillars then weld it back on.
So a decent man with a welder should be able to manage it alright?
Count Vaux Alot
22-09-08, 08:54 PM
would it actually need jigging? The whole roof would be easier IMO
Count Vaux Alot
22-09-08, 08:54 PM
So a decent man with a welder should be able to manage it alright?
Yep...
paul james
22-09-08, 08:55 PM
A fibreglass roof sounds like a proper daft idea to me, all that strength lost for what can't be all that much of a weight saving. I would cut the roof off a scrappy nova as far down as possible, giving you the option to weld it on at any point you like. Perhaps you could cut off the bashed up roof and weld on the replacement where the gutters are - since thats how they are fixed at the factory.
Hmmmmm, good info lads!!
After a bit of research today it seend the chassis section for the rear springs was cut out and donated to another car. I assume they can still be gotten? Any supplier recomendations?
Paul, thats a cracking idea mate. Thats the Plan of action so.
paul james
22-09-08, 09:01 PM
I don't think you can buy new rear suspension mount sections, I think they wouldn't be too hard to recreate from scratch, copying from one of your other novas. And theres always the option of putting independant suspension in the rear like you have in the front.
dod you get a new roof skin. they do come up ever now and again and ill fit it for you
Hmmmmm, good info lads!!
After a bit of research today it seend the chassis section for the rear springs was cut out and donated to another car. I assume they can still be gotten? Any supplier recomendations?
You cant get them easy, but you can make your own.
Burgo FTW!!
I have an excellant donor car for it as well.
You are the man mate!!
loggyboy
23-09-08, 12:41 AM
why not just reshell the ID of the car?
Yeah but how legal is that? And to keep it origional there'd be an aweful lot of work. I have a very very clean 36k Genuine Cat D parked in the Garage I could use but the origional car is stunningly clean in all the usual places and would be a shame to scrap.
loggyboy
23-09-08, 10:25 AM
I beleive its based on the points system, meaning you need to get 8 points out the below scoring system
•chassis or body shell (body and chassis as one unit - monocoque ie direct replacement from the manufacturer) (original or new) = 5 points
• suspension = 2 points
• axles = 2 points
• transmission = 2 points
• steering assembly = 2 points
• engine = 1 point
So if you 'state' that all the orginal components bar the shell were transplanted then you could keep that ID.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_10014199
Mmmmmmmmm, makes for a pretty decent Plan B I suppose. Cheers mate.
Utopiacarcare
25-12-08, 07:22 PM
Changing a roof skin aint really that big a job. I Have a customers 3.0 RWD Nova (some of you may have seen it at PVS last yr) in my bodyshop at the mo the we changed the roof on last wk. I would put pics up but the site wont let me at the mo!! We drilled out the spot welds and cold chiseled the original skin off and had another roof (complete with pillars) that we'd cut of another shell. We spent nearly six hours drilling out the welds and cleaning it all up so it was basically a bare skin before it was ready to be welded on.
Changing a roof skin aint really that big a job. I Have a customers 3.0 RWD Nova (some of you may have seen it at PVS last yr) in my bodyshop at the mo the we changed the roof on last wk. I would put pics up but the site wont let me at the mo!! We drilled out the spot welds and cold chiseled the original skin off and had another roof (complete with pillars) that we'd cut of another shell. We spent nearly six hours drilling out the welds and cleaning it all up so it was basically a bare skin before it was ready to be welded on.
Send me some pics via email and ill put them up.
jaysnovaturbo@hotmail.co.uk
No, i dont want a fibre glass roof, its to be an origional GT Replica, not a racer.
Anyone ever done it before? (looks for Burgo)
Im sure offplot put a new roof on one of his sports.
As already said get a fcuked shell with good roof and take your time with a spot weld drill bit and cold chisel and you will end up with a useable roof skin.
CoolTiger
26-12-08, 04:46 PM
it its been sat on on its roof the pillars might of spread out
hmm chassis section for rear springs buy these off me http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/cars-items-wanted/370300-nova-rear-spring-mounts.html
(scroll down)
hmm chassis section for rear springs buy these off me http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/cars-items-wanted/370300-nova-rear-spring-mounts.html
(scroll down)
You need to be logged into see that.
The car hasnt moved since and I am genually surprised at its condition. Its not rotted or corroded on either rear arches, rear chassis, underside or anywhere structural which is nice. It still needs inspection of the Engine Bay and body damage which could be the Killer but again, all these parts are off the shelf.
brainsnova
27-12-08, 01:32 PM
did they store it on its roof?
Seem to have been turned over to remove the Suspension.
brainsnova
27-12-08, 01:41 PM
Seem to have been turned over to remove the Suspension.
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :eek: :cry:
Yeah but **** it, its only suspension. All the windows have been removed. the doors are ****ed, the wings are kinked, it has the origional early tail gate with no grab handle. (cant recal its condition) but these are all replacable. Bonus points are it has Base model Beige interior and is an 83 (4years off Vintage) and its an Origional Irish Car. I do have everything to repair it in my Garage so its just a matter of gathering the funds for it and a second Corsa A City (coming together as a package) and getting a few mates to help me get the shell rolling.
brainsnova
27-12-08, 02:03 PM
my mate has re roofed a few mk1 and mk2 escort so it must be straight forward. it you were closer i would of helped :thumb:
Cheers mate, the offer alone is much appreciated.
It'll be the new year before anything happens so we'll go from there.
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