Question for the Kiwis and Aussies

Im wanting to put a steel infill in my A Tudor roof where the canvis once was. I had my mind set on a roof skin off an AP5-AP6 Valiant station wagon, but I can tell you finding a doner one of these in New Zealand is about as good a chance as winning Lotto. Just curious as to what people in our neck of the woods have used before with the donor cars avalible to us. I was really keen on the AP as I like the ribs in the roof skin, XD-XF falcons also have this but don't run the entire length .
Any help would be much appreciated

 

try some of the tojo vans. I think they are popular for roofs here. or two xd-f roofs would work.

 

try a vn, vp commodore the wagons have ribs running down the roof, are fairly long and wide and cost next to nothing, bonus is its only a commodore!

 

VK Commodore wagons had longitudinal pressings and a slight crown.

 

HQ-HZ wagon
fits like a bum in a bucket.

Used a sedan roof in my 29 coupe - perfect crown, no alterations were required. A friend used the wagon roof in his Tudor, and found it fit the same.

sorry - no ribs.

 

, yip it is only a dirty old Holden,HaHa. Sounds like a good choice though I will have to head to the wreckers and check them out.

 

HQ wagon and they decent steel to work with. Unlike the later model shit..

 

Either a commo or a van from 80-90's.

 

Bugger, I knew where there was a HQ Wagon that I could have had the roof off until these fucking floods.
Try HZ HX, they shouldn't be that hard to find??

Doc

 

Ive got an HQ or XR roof for a box of piss if need be, I was really hell bent on something with ribs but might get the HQ one anyways as they seem to be a popular choice that fit well,and its cheap, will check out the later model Commodore ones at the wreckers as well.

 

! Ooh, I dont want to see that.

Any way, AP5 & 6 wagons are so collectable nowadays, I know I want one!

 

Yep, look at a few of the Jappa vans, they have ribs on some of them.

 

A guy on HRR used an 05 Mazda MPV, Came out pretty good.....



link...

http://www.hotrodrevue.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=662&start=20

 

ribs =

mazda bongo van

xd falcon wagon


cheers

Steve in Oz

 

I'll be devil's advocate.... why fill it with steel? IMO, you take away one of the endearing features of an A sedan by filling it.
I did my own roof, it wasn't hard....

 

That came out nice man!!

Doc.

 

If it's that cheap you should have a go at bead rolling some ribs down the HQ roof. Then if it does'nt work out you are only up for another box of piss.

 

I could take that route, and I think it really looks great on your car but ive had a vision in my head about what this cars going to look like for quite a while now and it includes the steel infill and a 3 1/2 chop.
I saw your car posted a while back and was impressed, nice, clean and simple just the way they should be.

 

OK here is another alternative
Hillman Hunter station wagons
Not as desirable as a AP5 Vliant hower the ribs were perfect back in the day and again made out of real steel.
Buggar - sent my last one to the crusher 9 months ago as no one wanted anything off one of these - isn't that the way.
TAS automotive in Birkenhead maybe able to help you - he's a Hillman fan

 

Any way, AP5 & 6 wagons are so collectable nowadays, I know I want one![/QUOTE]

Yea they are, I can never remember seeing many round even 20 years or so ago, Saw a really mint one in a demo derby many years ago,I almost cried!!
Theres a real tidy one driving round town here, wonder if he would miss the roof, haha.

 

Go the Holden roof!
Any Holden that you take off the road permanently is doing society a service!

 

There's 3 or 4 MoPar specialists that advertise in the mags, someone must know where one is, but tell them you're a restorer or they may not give it to you. I wouldn't use a holden roof, it'll make your Ford too slow and the rust'll make it look like a ratshit rod.

Scotty.

 

Haha, your right but hey theyre cheap!!!!

Yip I know the routine, I was looking for a 37 Hudson steering box and I got hold of the NZ Hudson club, things were going along real well till I told him I was using it to "update my ancient Model A steering", the guy obviously put 2 and 2 together and realised I was a hot rodder, never heard from him again.
Going to pick up an HQ one this weekend cause its cheap, but still leaning toward the ribs.

 

Good luck with it man. I think a japper crapper van is gonna be your best source for a ribbed one.

 

What part of the country are you in ?? I'm sure you could find a sheetmetal shop , or a good panel shop to run you some swages/ribs in the HQ roof.

Shrapnel

 

Some of the Toyota vans had ribbed roofs, and you would be doing society a favour to kill off a Toyota van.

And you can bet on the bugger being white too

 

We used an early Commodore wagon roof on my cousin's 30 A. Ribbed for her pleasure and just the right size!

 

UPDATE, Ive found myself a rotten AP6 wagon up Christchurch way so the hunt is over, these bloody cars are very elusive as I guess there was never that many of them in NZ to start with, Time to buy a lotto ticket, might get lucky twice, Yea right!!
Thanks to everyone for there help.

 

Make sure you keep us all up to date with some progress pictures!

 

XJ6 Jags have a nice contoured roof that would be ideal.