Thread: 31 model A pick up roof

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I'm putting on a steel roof on a 31 model a pickup. just started,and scratching my head. Any one been in my shoes?

Yup, filled in a few roofs with tin. What are you scratching your head about?? Are you using new tin, or a donor roof section??

new tin as of now. any donor car that you know of fit?

i need to figure out the curve and bows to get the new tin to lay right.

Make a template out of a 1 X 4 and go to your nearest wrecking yard. I did this for my 30 model Tudor and it helped me find a donor roof.

The template idea works great, especially if you don't have an English wheel to make the contours with on new tin. For something as narrow as an A pickup, check the roof contour on some of the smaller cars, Taurus, Escort, Cavalier, etc.

Thanks for the info on the roof. I started on the body work on the bed tonight,think i'll get it in primer before i get back on the roof.English wheel would be great ,maybe on my next one! I'll take as much advise as I can get! So any more tips on this baby will be more than great!

I have suggested this before and I guess the real bodymen laugh at the idea, but since you already have a large hole in the roof, why not weld in a right angle shelf about 1/2" wide and about 1/4" deep around the edge and put in some green plastic for a super sunroof. I am still hung up on the old '54 Ford Sunliner with the green plastic roof. Just a crazy idea that nobody wants to try, but if I had a steel body tudor or coupe thats what I would do.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Don, this used to be done, friend of mine had a '34 with a glass top. There were a few others around probably mid '80's time frame. I guess I can't give you an answer as to why it isn't done anymore. I suppose like everything else it will come back in style again.

Thanks Dave, at least the idea has been tried; I just have not seen one yet.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Don, the way I see it hot rodding is like everything else. Eventually every thing old is new again!! A friend of mine was picking on me at coffee the other day about why I never "flame" any cars. I told him I did flames when they were in vogue the first time, and I don't have to do them again !! Also put an electric sun roof in a '37 chebbie. Think it was from a Saab. One switch ran the metal cover back, the other switch opened the glass part. Thought it was kind of cool at the time. Anyway I'm sure all of the trends will be back in style eventually.

Originally posted by Dave Severson
Don, the way I see it hot rodding is like everything else. Eventually every thing old is new again!! A friend of mine was picking on me at coffee the other day about why I never "flame" any cars. I told him I did flames when they were in vogue the first time, and I don't have to do them again !! Also put an electric sun roof in a '37 chebbie. Think it was from a Saab. One switch ran the metal cover back, the other switch opened the glass part. Thought it was kind of cool at the time. Anyway I'm sure all of the trends will be back in style eventually.

When I start back with the MB teardown, I'm gonna remove the entire roof section, it has a power moon roof in it ( no glass window ), and the motor and E crank ( operated with stock tire iron for times when motor failes ) the motor and crank is mounted in the trunk.