How would I fix this??
- Thread starter 1FatPony
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I will take the first stab at it and tell you that the structural integrity of the roof has been permanently compromised. Although you could piece meal something and make it look close to factory (if you have a good body man). The only way to make that car 1/2 safe is to build a full roll cage.
Good luck
Good luck
DukeGnarley
Member
I dissagree, and here's why.
#1. a properly welded replacement part should have close to the same strength.
#2. the only differences i'm aware of on the coupe vs convertible as far as undercarriage goes are the torque boxes and one other additional piece. so i don't think you would need a full roll cage (although they are nifty and would stiffen up the car emmensly).
I think if you fix the roof properly, get rid of all that rust, and add some subframe connectors, you should be good to go. what you might be able to do to fill in that area is get a repro roof panel, and cut out what you need from it. I'm not sure if anyone makes a roof panel for the '65 coupe, but i do believe some fastback panels are available, and that might be close enough of a match for that section of the roof, but you'd have to look into it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/65-6...ewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4615498193QQrdZ1
#1. a properly welded replacement part should have close to the same strength.
#2. the only differences i'm aware of on the coupe vs convertible as far as undercarriage goes are the torque boxes and one other additional piece. so i don't think you would need a full roll cage (although they are nifty and would stiffen up the car emmensly).
I think if you fix the roof properly, get rid of all that rust, and add some subframe connectors, you should be good to go. what you might be able to do to fill in that area is get a repro roof panel, and cut out what you need from it. I'm not sure if anyone makes a roof panel for the '65 coupe, but i do believe some fastback panels are available, and that might be close enough of a match for that section of the roof, but you'd have to look into it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/65-6...ewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4615498193QQrdZ1
1320stang
Founding Member
I'd agree with Duke, it'll be a challenge, but look at the other side of the car and determine the pieces that are cut on the passenger side and you should be able to go out and overcut the area you need from a donor car.
The other option.....
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T-Tops BABY!!! :bannana:
The other option.....
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T-Tops BABY!!! :bannana:
1320stang
Founding Member
1320stang said:I'd agree with Duke, it'll be a challenge, but look at the other side of the car and determine the pieces that are cut on the passenger side and you should be able to go out and overcut the area you need from a donor car.
The other option.....
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T-Tops BABY!!!
As stated in my original post, I know that the body work can be done but structurally it will never what I would consider "safe".
Could you run the car....YES!!! Could you sell the car.... YES!!!! Would it be safe to drive.....YES!!! Would you be able to sleep at night considering that the other dude could be in a rollover and completely collapse that side and crush his girlfriend...??? (and before I get slammed, YES it can collapse even with a perfectly good roof)
Welding at the apex on an arc is never a good idea, otherwise why would weekend racers not piece meal roll cages from short sections of tubing, instead of spending the big bucks on bending and longer pieces. Microscopically the structure of the metal will less conducive to deformation in the event of a blow to the side of the roof, no doubt in my mind.
Could the metal buckle at the site of the weld?? Could you ruin hours of bodyworK??? Can this area be suceptible to metal fatigue???
Could you run the car....YES!!! Could you sell the car.... YES!!!! Would it be safe to drive.....YES!!! Would you be able to sleep at night considering that the other dude could be in a rollover and completely collapse that side and crush his girlfriend...??? (and before I get slammed, YES it can collapse even with a perfectly good roof)
Welding at the apex on an arc is never a good idea, otherwise why would weekend racers not piece meal roll cages from short sections of tubing, instead of spending the big bucks on bending and longer pieces. Microscopically the structure of the metal will less conducive to deformation in the event of a blow to the side of the roof, no doubt in my mind.
Could the metal buckle at the site of the weld?? Could you ruin hours of bodyworK??? Can this area be suceptible to metal fatigue???
krash kendall
Active Member
You can get an entire roof off of a donor car buy drilling out the spot welds along the inner sail panel brace and top of the quarter panels. The seam on the outside (there and on the a-pillars) is hidden behind some body lead applied at the factory. Just torch it off to expose the seams. You could then replace the roof at the factory weld locations and have less headaches than trying to butt weld a section in.
5.0StangRacer
New Member
i guess you could always do something like this http://www.mustangsplus.com/newsletr/monster/index.html
Platonic Solid
Founding Member
I'm curious...Is this your car, or is this a purchase you're contemplating? ... and Why is roof cut up?1FatPony said:
Or where could I buy a new roof?? Is it possible or is this trash?
Thanks
5.0StangRacer
New Member
Heres an idea of what to look for. I got my mustang for $3000. No rust, little bondo(1 spot) full interior. 289 v8 If it has signicant rust then definatley less than 3000.
View attachment 486242
View attachment 486242
iskwezm
10 Year Member
we are going to cut the roof off my neighbors 66 coupe real soon, might be usuable for you, but shipping would kill it.
We did a 65 coupe to convertible about 18 years ago with all stck trim and working top, most people cant even tell we cut it, not bad for a bunch of kids back then
We did a 65 coupe to convertible about 18 years ago with all stck trim and working top, most people cant even tell we cut it, not bad for a bunch of kids back then
5.0StangRacer
New Member
stangman16
Active Member
Too bad they don't make the replacement fastback roofs for the '65-'66 cars, you could turn it into a fastback! I know they make the conversion kits for the '67-'68's
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