hey guys im new to this forum. im currently in a bind. i have a 58 belair 2dr HT that has roof damage beyond repair. im currently in search of a donor car, roof, etc...anyone know if there are there any other models in 1958 that have the same top/a top that would work? i.e. the same length or the same dimensions that could be made to work...
what part of the world are you in? would help finding someone in your area that might have something that will work
58 pontiac is it for interchange...and probably harder to find than a 58 Chevy. But the roof panel itself is the same on the sedans and hardtops, according to Hollanders. The Impala and Bonneville 2dr hardtop are different.
If all else fails ('58 was a unique year for Chevys), you could turn it into a rag top. That would be cool.
58 Bel Air hard tops were my favorite 58 car. Find a way to fix it. Restoration means different things to different folks. Replacing a top on a as built will rarely make it the "perfect" guy world. It's going to be tough but finding a donor roof will be easier than other parts. Do some searching in Az., Ut., Id., Nv., good luck....
I guess I used the wrong word when I said restoration. Would it make you feel better if I told you it was getting an LS3 and two snails, air ride, T6 conversion, and a paint job you can't even find on google?
LOL actually that would make it worse. If its any consolation my lady has been telling people that I restore old cars and bikes for decades, somehow that makes me more respectable that hot rodder or scooter trash. I would have to see the damage to help with an idea for parts, but the C pillar and A pillars should be different than on other '58 Chebbys. if they are salvageable than the roof top from a two door sedan or even a 4 door sedan should actually be made to work. The Impala hard top should be a match or close enough for govt work. I would imagine that an Impala hard top would be as hard to find if not harder than the Bellaire.
I looked through the Chevy parts book last night, it shows the roof panel itself being the same for all the 58 sedan and hardtop body styles (2 and 4 door), except the Impala. And the side rails are different for every style. So without knowing the extent of the damage, if you have to replace the side rails or not, hard to say what you should do.
Depends what you consider "beyond repair" . A bit of thought and hammer work can do wonders to a dented in roof. If it's rusty, maybe not so much. Can you post up a photo?
another vote for photos. if your pillars aren't bent i don't see a reason to cut the entire top off. just bend and weld in some patch metal. if it's rust thats another story
Here's the damage. It's rusted through in a couple spots where water collected and stayed. So I figured itd be easier to replace it. That is until I went looking for a donor 2dr hardtop and figured out what I had...can't find one anywhere
that'll be fun... somewhere on here there's a thread about fixing the roof on a 56 chevy, if you can find it maybe you could get some ideas. btw you can hold your phone sideways, and take a wide picture
Here is a little known fact, not that it pertains to the repair in question but just because I am here. In Missouri there is an old law on the books making it illegal to repair a folded roof, you can replace it but you can't hammer it out and reuse it.
Messy_Jiller, That will be a cool car when you get it done. By way of example... here in Washington I know 4-5 guys that sell old tri-five Chevy parts that show up at most swap meets. I've also noticed a few guys who specialize in '59&'60 chevy parts; and a few guys who specialize in '63&'64 Chev parts. Seems to me, you could start by seeing who closest to you may be a '58 Chevy parts guy. If he doesn't have what you need he could likely tell you some of his competitors. Sorry, I can't think of a '58 parts guy up this way. Even if you find your version of the tri-five chevy swap meet parts guy, or one of the others, you might ask him if he knows if anyone specializes in '58 chev/Pontiac parts. Best wishes, As a sidenote, has the HAMB ever had a thread to compile the old car wrecking yards with contact info?
Personally, I'd spend some time with a porto-power. You would be surprised how repairable that roof is. Just don't get it done in Missouri.
It doesn't. I think that if you crash and the roof folds up and it was done by a shop they can be held liable.
That doesn't look all that hard to fix. Pull out the dent and replace the rusted through metal. No need for an entire roof What'cha got in there, kid?
What kind of build are you planing? I have a 57 Olds 98 roof with all trim, in & out, (With twin raised ribs running the length of the roof & both rear 1/4 window's and rear glass. It would be expensive to ship by truck, so if you were inclined to buy it, you would need to come to Denver, to pick it up. I imagen that it would be a close fit.. it was cut at the posts, & at the base. So the roof is totally compleate in every way. I was asking $700.00 but I would consider offers. Chris at 720-292-6288 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using H.A.M.B. mobile app
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