British-Cars.org

Welcome to the DMR Site for British Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Can you add a sunroof to a GT?

Hi

Still looking for my perfect GT, and have seen several very nice examples, but they have all had something not quite right.

The nearest one was a super 1973 GT, great bodywork, mechanicals all good, UL head, super colour, leather interior and within budget at £3995. However, one of the things near the top of my wish list would be a full length Webasto type sunroof.

So, can you get one cut out and fitted, or is it too problematical and/or financially restrictive?

Thanks
Tim Thompson

Tim,

I've fitted three sunroof s to BGTs over the past few years, one was a glass 'bubble' type and the others were both Webasto style. Of the two Webasto style one had the older multi-part frame and the other was the later single piece inner frame.

They're not too complicated to fit although allow plenty of time to get everything right - especially the cutting! The hardest part will be finding a suitable roof to fit, they're getting quite rare now especially good ones. Ones from classic Minis will also fit and will be of the same size as those fitted to the MGB. Make sure you get one with a wind deflector, it makes a really big difference.

The MGB is fortunate in that is doesn't have any cross struts or electrics across the roof so you're just cutting through a single sheet of metal. Because the BGT has a sturdy outer frame to the roof, structural integrity is not affected.

The bubble roof took about four hours from start to finish, but I would allow a full day to fit the Webasto as their is a lit more drilling & sealing involved. You can either use tape bitumen-based seal or the trigger gun stuff available from DIY stores such as B&Q. I prefer the trigger gun stuff as it's easier to apply a thick-enough layer to seal and excess is easily cleaned off with white spirit.

I unfortunately didn't document the two Webasto roof fitting, but I did do a website for the glass bubble which is essentially the same principle I used for the Webasto. I've also included a link for the fitting of a Webasto-style roof to a GT.

IMHO it's a well-worth upgrade to the GT, I absolutely love the roof on my cars, it provides the comfort of the GT in the rain but with the advantages of open top motoring when you need it, they're not too noisy even at motorway speed.

http://mgb.hollosite.com/html/gbp30_sunroof.html

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,342779,342971

Edit: I've just found some pictures I took when I converted one of my BGTs from a glass bubble roof to a Webasto. Send me an email to mgstuff AT yahoo.co.uk and I'll send copies onto you.
Mike

Hi Tim, I went thro the same problem that you've got only I had a Webasto but it was really gross. I stripped it out blasted and resprayed all the metal parts and took the whole lot down to Peter Harvey Sunroofs in Kent. Here is a "cut and paste taken from the Internet" A chap called Peter Harvey (specialises in webasto and weathershield repairs)made me and supplied a complete new roof with frame and runners,basicly replaced the whole sunroof,and a new headlining for just under £600,he's worth talking to and does'nt speak to you like your an idiot,i took my complete roof out and sent to him ,and it was back within a few weeks,call him on 01304 614412 or 07956 292376,i think he also does mobile repairs so it may well be worth trying.All that is completely true, he really knows his business and my webasto was brand new again. Regards Peter.
p j mayo

Any idea if he will take the car and do the whole job or is he supply only?

If I were to allow about £1000 (supply and fit) for this I shouldn't be too far wide of the mark I suppose.
Tim Thompson

Hi Tim, bit of a long way to come for you,all the way to Kent. All you can do is phone and ask him if he can do what you want. In my case I only had to take my bits and pieces to him and I picked up a new roof ready to fit a couple of weeks later,but then I dont live that far from him. regards Peter
p j mayo

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2010 and 05/05/2010

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now