Hot Rods To fill or not fill ?

Let's find out what percentage on the HAMB would fill the roof on a early ford body that is in good original condition.
For clarity I mean weld a panel in solid. I for one would not fill a roof on a good body. Let's see!

 

Id agree. I wouldn't weld it in


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I'm a hot rodder/customizer. If thats what was right for the car I was building, I would do it in a heartbeat without a second thought.
It's metal, it's not permanent, you could put it back if you wanted to.

 

I'd fill it. I have a '28 Stude sedan body, that's the plan.
Perhaps I am missing what the other option or concern is.

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You should have added a Poll!

 

If it is a nicely wheeled panel or a proper donor roof yes, gallon of Bondo job, NO. Bob

 

Watch out! If you weld the ford roof shut, you make old Henry's ghost extremely sad!
If it was for Henry, the Edsel (car, not the son) would have had a canvas roof section. He felt it important for his cars.
I would propose a HAMB traditional act: Save the canvas!

 

I'm with Cretin, depends on the build style and overall effect you're going for, but if a filled roof is suited to the build, then I'd do it. If it isn't, I wouldn't. Condition of the roof beforehand is moot.

A pre-war V8 swapped full fendered A is going to look weird with a filled roof, where a blown 60's show rod with metalflake is going to look weird with a stock canvas top in it yet. Build period and historical accuracy should determine the roof, not condition, in my opinion.

 

I am planning on a steel top for mine. I've been told that the top from a Kia Sole is about and inch too big all the way around.

 

If you leave it with a fabric insert please don't just trim it out with wireon. Go to the trouble to bend up some new roof insert trim. It's available from LeBaron Bonney, part# AL-SW, $14.99 ea for 60" lengths. Yeah, it's a little tough to do but worth every minute. I may have time to post a "how-to" about it, should be doing a Packard roof like that this week.

 

NO! Mine, ready for wire and fabric.

 

No way would I fill a original early Ford top insert,I prefer the original look.HRP

 

I wrestled with that question for a couple of years as I was building my coupe. I finally decided to keep it original. I just like the 'look'.

 

Weld it up

 

I would leave, put new wood on it, then do a removable top.

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I probably wouldn't ever fill a Ford roof; tho my kid has a '34 coupe that, do to it's style, looks right with a filled roof. He also has another coupe that I think should have a fabric insert over the filled roof.

On the other hand; don't think I have ever seen a sedan with a filled roof that looks right; the ones with the ribs are especially unlikable.

 

I tack welded a metal top to the inner side of the channel of my avatar, and filled the channel with rope and sealer. It appears to be original. Wrinkle paint for the effect of fabric. I can quickly easily cut the tacks if I ever want to replace the wood or whatever

 

I would not. It just ruins the look of the car. To me, it makes the car look like a fiberglass/Boydster/smoothie. It takes away the character of the car; the characteristics that make it look cool. But, to each their own.

 

Did you read the part where I said my roof appears to be original?

 

It totally depends on the style of the car. I've done them both ways.

 

Keep mine looking original.

To me filling the top is like filling the cowl vent. HRP

 

I personally like the stock roof and would build around the look.

 

I would never fill in a roof either, I like the original look!

 

Why fill the roof
It just makes your steel car look like a fiberglass one

 

I have to agree with many of the other responses, why would you do anything to make your car look like a reproduction? Be proud and leave it as Henry made it.

 

I like the original cloth tops on old cars so much I painted one on a 1937 Chevrolet model I built when I was a kid

 

Never

 

I've seen steel cars with filled roofs and owners then adding an insert over the steel and guys with glass cars putting inserts in to make them look like steel cars. What's old is new again.

 

^^^this is what hot rodding is about.....

 

Filled mine 25 years ago. Paid an expert to do it. Best filled roof I've ever seen.
Today, I probably would not do it, but depends on style of build.