71 Sport Fury PH29 Roof Skin advice

[geocup 71 Sport Fury]

Well, my son and I finally got to the point to remove his vinyl top. Was hopeful that it wouldn't be too bad, but not good. Looking for some options you all may have done to address the types of issues we are seeing. @FURYGT here are the photos we were talking about last week.

 

[57fury440]

I would get a good roof from a donor car. I changed the roof on my son's 74 Barracuda and his was not as bad as yours. If you can weld, it was not too bad a job. Trying to fix what you have will be a never-ending battle. If your plans are to just use it for a while and get rid of it, you could clean it up the best that you can and epoxy the holes.

 

[david hill]

You will need a good donner car to repair this. Premo fab skills need here otherwise. If sub structure rust is found the donner car can supply those parts.

 

[ayilar]

@70 Sport Suburban -- any donor that you could provide?

 

[FURYGT]

Well, my son and I finally got to the point to remove his vinyl top. Was hopeful that it wouldn't be too bad, but not good. Looking for some options you all may have done to address the types of issues we are seeing. @FURYGT here are the photos we were talking about last week.

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That’s pretty bad. You would be better off buying a parts car with a 29 style roof that never had a vinyl roof. Before you tackle the roof, I would do a thorough inspection of the car for additional rust damage. I would be shocked if the trunk floor was not Swiss cheese. This way you can determine whether it’s best to purchase a donor car or to purchase another car in better condition and use this one as a parts donor. Very sorry to see that much rust.

 

[CBODY67]

MIght look inside the car, too, as mentioned. In the C-pillar internal areas, the turnk pan, and rear floor pans. Everywhere the water from above could have gotten to on its way toward the ground. Taking out the interior will be necessary.

As the roof is a structural part of the body, all of that "gone metal" means the body is weaker. Any project to replace the roof would mean the body has to be supported (on a flat floor!) on about 8 jackstands. Two under each side of the rocker panels, two for the front stub-frame, and two for the rear body/bumper crossmember. That would keep the body from collapsing when the top section is removed from it.

There might be some attraction to the existing car, but the reality, to me, is that the car you have can be a donor car for another car whose engine and transmission have been removed from it. A car with a better roof and hopefully never had a vinyl top covering on it.

Just some respectful thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[Big_John]

That’s pretty bad. You would be better off buying a parts car with a 29 style roof that never had a vinyl roof. Before you tackle the roof, I would do a thorough inspection of the car for additional rust damage. I would be shocked if the trunk floor was not Swiss cheese. This way you can determine whether it’s best to purchase a donor car or to purchase another car in better condition and use this one as a parts donor. Very sorry to see that much rust.

^This^

There are times where you just have to walk away and find a better car. I'm not saying this is the case here, just suggesting a step back to look at the big picture.

 

[1970FuryConv]

I had a 1970 Sport Fury 29-body, vinyl top, perforated roof. Mine became a donor for my 1970 Fury Convertible.
Look for structural problems like rot in rear subframe
This leads

to this near rear bumper bracket

or this

Front subframe had rust too at trans x-member and front corners

I pretty much knew mine was a parts car before I bought it. 1/3 of trunk floor was rotted. Subframe that was not rusted thru still weakened by heavy rust.
Hope your luck is better than mine!

 

[57fury440]

It could be possible that the vinyl top being left on kept some of the water out. If the rest of the car is not that bad, I would do a roof swap. It looks like you would need the roof and the panel behind the roof too. I was never a fan of vinyl tops and never bought any of my cars with them. If you have decent welding skills and can do a little bodywork it is not that bad. You would need to remove the front and rear windshields and measure everything to make sure all the tolerances are correct. I measured mine multiple times and made a diagram (easy for me, I am a retired illustrator). There are also several YouTube videos you can watch. Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

[geocup 71 Sport Fury]

Thanks for all the replies. You all have confirmed my thoughts about addressing this. My thoughts have been donor car to either replace current top and rear quarter; or, use his current car as the donor.

Surprisingly, floor and substructure are in very good condition. Trunk pan is in very good condition as well. However, trunk extensions are toast and severe rust to lower portion (lower 3-4 inches) of rear quarter panel.

A friend and I have been scouring the inter-web and social media to find a donor with no luck thus far.

Thanks again for all the information

 

[71Polara383]

Thanks for all the replies. You all have confirmed my thoughts about addressing this. My thoughts have been donor car to either replace current top and rear quarter; or, use his current car as the donor.

Surprisingly, floor and substructure are in very good condition. Trunk pan is in very good condition as well. However, trunk extensions are toast and severe rust to lower portion (lower 3-4 inches) of rear quarter panel.

A friend and I have been scouring the inter-web and social media to find a donor with no luck thus far.

Thanks again for all the information

Keep at it. There is alot of these furys that could be great donors, even a 4dr hardtop fury would work.

 

[70 Sport Suburban]

@70 Sport Suburban -- any donor that you could provide?

Damn i just sold a rear window channel to a guy overseas for his 71 ill keep and eye out in my area.

 

[70 Sport Suburban]

So I might be able to help out after all I should be picking this one up soon. I'll get some good pics of the back window area after I get it home.

 

[Big_John]

Keep at it. There is alot of these furys that could be great donors, even a 4dr hardtop fury would work.

Really? Is that the same roof as a 2dr hardtop? Just curious, not doubting.

 

[71Polara383]

Really? Is that the same roof as a 2dr hardtop? Just curious, not doubting.

Why wouldn't it be?

 

[70 Sport Suburban]

Really? Is that the same roof as a 2dr hardtop? Just curious, not doubting.

Year's ago same situation 2dr car looking for a roof skin. I looked through the part's book and everything i found had the same part number 2dr to 4dr on the roof skin numbers.

 

[Big_John]

Why wouldn't it be?

Year's ago same situation 2dr car looking for a roof skin. I looked through the part's book and everything i found had the same part number 2dr to 4dr on the roof skin numbers.

This answers my question as I was all set to open up the parts manual. Off the cuff I would have said they aren't the same.

I'm gonna file this under "something new I learned today".

 

[geocup 71 Sport Fury]

So I might be able to help out after all I should be picking this one up soon. I'll get some good pics of the back window area after I get it home.

View attachment 688865

Thanks and let me know what you find. Definitively at a point pushing my knowledge base. Have several friends locally who are very experienced and willing to assist my son.