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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ I want a welded steel roof
Posted by: Corkus Aug 2 2010, 11:04 AM
I had a 914 in the 70's and liked the targa top back then. But in my middle age I have a solid dislike for convertible anythings, targa tops, sunroofs, convertibles, semi-convertibles or anything but a simple steel roof.
I also like the extra chassis stiffness a welded steel top will add.
Here is a steel top but with a 924 sunroof. I don't get the sunroof but then I don't expect anyone to think a solid steel roof is a good idea either.
Anyone weld a steel top on their 914?
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 11:08 AM
First of all, sunroofs rock and were present on the original steel topped 914. So...
Secondly, I did that steel top and regret pretty much every day that I sold that 914.
New owner loves it and just won't sell it.
I have a thread on here that outlines the build. I'll see if I can find it......
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 11:14 AM
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=76305&st=0
Others have done it without a sunroof. Never seen one in person though.
Not a project for a beginner.
Parts of mine...I was lucky it turned out as good as it did.
Posted by: Corkus Aug 2 2010, 11:15 AM
Root, thanks for posting the photos of your steel top. I'm pretty much using them for a blueprint of what I want.
I meant no disrespect for your 924 sunroof. It looks like a quality job. I knew few if any would agree with a solid steel top, but I did not want to insult anyone here.
Your work inspired the roof part of my project. Thanks again.
First of all, sunroofs rock and were present on the original steel topped 914. So...
Secondly, I did that steel top and regret pretty much every day that I sold that 914.
New owner loves it and just won't sell it.
I have a thread on here that outlines the build. I'll see if I can find it......
Posted by: jmill Aug 2 2010, 11:19 AM
I remember reading about that build. The top was done beautifully. Did you have it work just like the stock 924 where you could just pop it up or remove it completely? If so I don't think it gets any better.
Posted by: Corkus Aug 2 2010, 11:22 AM
Wow, thanks for that thread Root!!! I saw a few photos you put in a thread when you were selling your car and loved those pictures. But this thead is great!
And I'm not at all worried about this type of project. I'm not doing the work 
My brother is doing the fabrication and welding. He won't leave it alone until it is done right.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=76305&st=0
Others have done it without a sunroof. Never seen one in person though.
Not a project for a beginner.
Parts of mine...I was lucky it turned out as good as it did.
Posted by: messix Aug 2 2010, 11:23 AM
that rootwerks guy cuts up every 914 he gets his hands on!!!! 
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 11:28 AM
I remember reading about that build. The top was done beautifully. Did you have it work just like the stock 924 where you could just pop it up or remove it completely? If so I don't think it gets any better.
Yup, worked just like a factory 924/early 944 manual sunroof. Both front and rear drain tubes were properly installed as well.
You could prop it up or just take it out and toss it in either the front or rear trunks.
I drove the 914-6 daily for months in the pouring PNW rain, never leaked, not once.
The interior of the car was SOOOOOOO much quieter than any targa topped 914. The chassis was crazy stiff.
I'd love to do another one, but holy mother of welding! It's a lot of work.
I never take offense to anything, just giving folks a hard time. It's all in fun.
Oh and Troy, kiss my what?
Posted by: Corkus Aug 2 2010, 11:31 AM
that rootwerx guy cuts up every 914 he gets his hands on!!!!
Oh yeah? My bro is cutting on my 914 pretty good which is just fine with me, obviously. Can I see more 914 cutting? Root? Anyone? Please?
(So as not to offend or seem like a troll, I LOVE stock restorations, but I don't have the kind of time, patience or money needed for a stock restoration. So my car is going to have lots of cutting and lots of modern parts.)
Posted by: messix Aug 2 2010, 11:45 AM
Dan has a really good way to put steel flares on too.
i give him shit because he can't let a stock 914 be stock..... he's got to throw a 6 in it and flares or a steel top on them!! 
Posted by: Mark Henry Aug 2 2010, 11:53 AM
Dan has a really good way to put steel flares on too.
i give him shit because he can't let a stock 914 be stock..... he's got to throw a 6 in it and flares or a steel top on them!!
He says that he's reformed, he's not going to touch his latest 914....we're all waiting for him to fall off the wagon
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 12:06 PM
Dan has a really good way to put steel flares on too.
i give him shit because he can't let a stock 914 be stock..... he's got to throw a 6 in it and flares or a steel top on them!!
He says that he's reformed, he's not going to touch his latest 914....we're all waiting for him to fall off the wagon
You guys are NOT helping me here!
There's like 5-6 944's sitting in a local bone yard about 15 minutes from my house.
Must...........not...........tempt.............me..........
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 2 2010, 12:11 PM
Yes.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=104406
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=66687
Andy
Posted by: Eric_Shea Aug 2 2010, 01:34 PM
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 2 2010, 01:55 PM
914.006 - One of two factory 914-8 prototypes has a steel roof with sun-roof ...
Andy
Posted by: carr914 Aug 2 2010, 02:11 PM
The sunroof was one of the best things about the Rootster. I could just tilt the roof open and the airflow was great. If I took the roof out, it was just like having the Targa top off, but with more chassis stiffness
Posted by: Eric_Shea Aug 2 2010, 03:10 PM
I see... I was stuck in 916land. I agree with Cory, sunroofs are fur gurls!
Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Aug 2 2010, 03:11 PM
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 03:21 PM
No way! Only manly men can handle a sunroof!
Can someone photoshop this picture white for me? Wanna see what a flared, white, steel top 914 would look like.
Attached image(s)
Posted by: messix Aug 2 2010, 03:44 PM
No way! Only manly men can handle a sunroof!
Can someone photoshop this picture white for me? Wanna see what a flared, white, steel top 914 would look like.
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 2 2010, 03:44 PM
Quick and dirty ... White is hard to do ...
AndyAttached image(s)
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2010, 03:53 PM
OOoooo, that's interesting..... 
Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Aug 2 2010, 04:10 PM
Stop it Dan. 
Posted by: 1968Cayman Aug 2 2010, 09:14 PM
As Antoine Dodson would say, "Hide yo' 944s! Hide yo' 914's! They's chopping on errybody out here!"
You guys aren't getting near my car. It's going through enough trauma in my hands . . .
Posted by: GeorgeRud Aug 2 2010, 09:29 PM
I talked to George Hussey a few years back about welding a solid top on the 914 ala 916, and he had some fellows (in England I think) that could do it. It was an awful lot of work (translate $$$$$$), so unless one has the skills to do it themselves, it's probably not really feasable for most of us.
The car does look awful nice with that sunroof however. As I get older, I also like the idea of AC and other comforts more and more.
Posted by: RobW Aug 2 2010, 09:58 PM
I'm liking the idea of a steel flare, steel roof, ala 914-8 cruiser.... 
Posted by: zx-niner Aug 2 2010, 10:22 PM
As much as I would love a steel roof, at this point in my project I would settle for a bolted in fiberglass top that did not squeek or leak.
Posted by: championgt1 Aug 2 2010, 10:26 PM
I saw a black 914 in Portland a couple weeks ago that had a steel roof with no sunroof and it looked amazing. I was a very nicely done car.
Posted by: sixnotfour Aug 2 2010, 10:35 PM
jack , could it have been this one ?
http://www.aandmdeluxecustoms.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=58
Posted by: championgt1 Aug 2 2010, 10:52 PM
Jeff-that looks like the one. It was also chopped. Wish I would have had my camera with me.
Posted by: roadster fan Aug 3 2010, 12:19 AM
this page has some pics on the second page of a nice steel roof I think built at AA http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=103380&hl=
I'm gonna do one like Dan's using an early 944 roof.......god help me! When I asked him at WCR2008 how many hours he had into his he replied.............
That being said, I heard most people say they were never fans of the idea until they saw his car. I think many would seriously consider it if they were better fabricators or had deep pockets.
Jim
Posted by: Bleyseng Aug 3 2010, 03:56 AM
Quick and dirty ... White is hard to do ...
AndyOh, thats the guy who bought it....nice car and you should do another one Dan.
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 3 2010, 08:57 AM
Jeff-that looks like the one. It was also chopped. Wish I would have had my camera with me.
This was another one of my old 914-6's that CAMP914 bought back in.....2004 I think? It was the black with red interior 914-6. Guy bought it, stripped it, chopped the top, steel roof etc. It turned out really nice!
Not an original six, it was a 1974 year I believe.
Jeff, that was the old "Duffster" mobile.
Posted by: Nürburg Nomad Aug 3 2010, 10:34 AM
As Antoine Dodson would say, "Hide yo' 944s! Hide yo' 914's! They's chopping on errybody out here!"
You guys aren't getting near my car. It's going through enough trauma in my hands . . .
Ha o lord... Am I the only one who got this reference?
I concur; hide your Porsches!
Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Aug 3 2010, 10:40 AM
As Antoine Dodson would say, "Hide yo' 944s! Hide yo' 914's! They's chopping on errybody out here!"
You guys aren't getting near my car. It's going through enough trauma in my hands . . .
Ha o lord... Am I the only one who got this reference?
I concur; hide your Porsches! No, but maybe the rest of us don't want to admit it
Posted by: Silverstreak Aug 3 2010, 05:06 PM
Thanks for posting this. I was just about to ask about welding in a steel roof. I'm a coupe guy at heart.
Posted by: scotty b Aug 3 2010, 07:07 PM
Jeff-that looks like the one. It was also chopped. Wish I would have had my camera with me.
Anyone have pics of this car finished ?? I have thought long and hard about mildly chopping mine whenever I get around to it, and the steel roof has been a done deal for a while. This car seems like it was done the way I plan on doing mine.
......someday 
Posted by: championgt1 Aug 3 2010, 09:41 PM
Scotty... I saw this car at the vintage races in Portland OR. a couple weeks ago. I wish I would have had my camera. The car was quite stunning in person. Everytime I walked past it there was a group of people drooling on it.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Aug 3 2010, 10:15 PM
Just thinking without measuring but...
Seems to me a rear deck lid could be fab'd to get a good head-start on a steel roof.
Posted by: Bleyseng Aug 4 2010, 04:10 AM
Jeff-that looks like the one. It was also chopped. Wish I would have had my camera with me.
This was another one of my old 914-6's that CAMP914 bought back in.....2004 I think? It was the black with red interior 914-6. Guy bought it, stripped it, chopped the top, steel roof etc. It turned out really nice!
Not an original six, it was a 1974 year I believe.
Jeff, that was the old "Duffster" mobile.
You mean the Black car with the red interior Craig showed up at WCC05 with? God, that red interior was ugly....
I would love to have a steel roof 914/6 with AC in Suriname... damn, they just finished a stretch of road that is about 60 miles long with new asphalt where all the hot cars do to speed up to 150mph passing each other. No Cops, so its go as fast as you want just try not to hit some old guy riding his old bike. A stock roofed 914 with that black top would be too damn hot and some thief would try to pry the roof off with a crowbar to steal your change in the ashtray.
Well, maybe thats my future project here in a few years....
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 4 2010, 08:54 AM
Just thinking without measuring but...
Seems to me a rear deck lid could be fab'd to get a good head-start on a steel roof.
Something about the rear deck wasn't right. I can't recall what it was....maybe the arc? If you have a spare deck, just set it up there and you'll see why it doesn't really work well.
Yup, that chopped, steel topped 914 was the black/red 914-6 Craig drove.
I snagged it from a local guy years back, then Craig snagged it from me. Now it's pretty custom.
I'd love to see some pictures of it myself.
Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 4 2010, 08:59 AM
Here is a picture pre steel roof:
Attached image(s)
Posted by: realred914 Aug 4 2010, 10:48 AM
hows about adding steel stifeners under teh stock targa top? then you got he stiffness, plus the removable targa top only obstructed by some bracing? maybe a couple lentghs of 1 inch tubing form the two front to two rear conrers? maybe with some diaginals?
Posted by: realred914 Aug 4 2010, 10:57 AM
The car does look awful nice with that sunroof however. As I get older, I also like the idea of AC and other comforts more and more.
some more old guy car stuff:
I be neeidng an assist lift driver seat to help get me in and out, stoping donw is harder and harder.
the 914 eeds that gerital bottle holder, they never came with them.
of course a seat mounted relief tube is a must, that will save on frequent stops.
the windshield I am thinking of taking to a glass grinder and have it converted to a Bi-focal windshiled, to help me see things both near and far even when I forget my glasses.
not to forget forgeting, there needs to be a white board and felt pen to make notes of all the things i am likely to forget.
The automatic heart defibiulator mounted in teh steering colum is also needed, just lean forward till your chest touches the steering wheel,at teh first sign of a heart attack, Press the red heart attack button, and zap, your as good as new, a jump start to teh heart.
let us not forget the old mans baseball hat collection shelf below the rear window. need room for a bout twenty hats or so.
Curb fellers, cant park with out
Posted by: Bleyseng Aug 4 2010, 11:08 AM
hows about adding steel stifeners under teh stock targa top? then you got he stiffness, plus the removable targa top only obstructed by some bracing? maybe a couple lentghs of 1 inch tubing form the two front to two rear conrers? maybe with some diaginals?
Put in a cage if you want to stiffen it. The beauty of the steel roof its then a true coupe, quieter, stiffer etc plus the sunroof gives you about the same feel as the stupid targa top when its off. With the top off a 914 still doesn't have the feel of a convertible.
They should've gone ahead with the 916 project with removable sunroofs, 2.4L sixes and flares. A 2.0L six was just too gutless and stark.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Aug 5 2010, 09:12 AM
I'm going to re-create the brace that was originally in Steve's car...
Posted by: carr914 Aug 5 2010, 09:33 AM
I'm going to re-create the brace that was originally in Steve's car...
E, Make 2 and let me know.
T.C.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Aug 5 2010, 10:07 AM
Maybe I should make 3 and let Steve know as well. That one seems to be MIA and I think it would be nice to have for his car.
I'll keep you posted.
Posted by: charliew Aug 5 2010, 01:32 PM
I would also like to see some detailed pictures of the chopped 924/944 top. I have a fiero parts car but the top is fg with a steel structure and the gm glass removable insert. How hard is it to get new weatherstripping for the 924?
I kinda wonder if porsche didn't get the starting pieces from a t3 or something that already had the drip rails and all.
Posted by: carr914 Aug 5 2010, 02:01 PM
Maybe I should make 3 and let Steve know as well. That one seems to be MIA and I think it would be nice to have for his car.
I'll keep you posted.
Steve doesn't want one. He took off a bunch of stuff of the M471 ( Prototipo, Recaro seats, rear lense) to return the car to the way it would have left the Factory. I thought I had a line on the brace once, but it was fleeting
Posted by: partwerks Apr 4 2015, 11:08 PM
As much as I would love a steel roof, at this point in my project I would settle for a bolted in fiberglass top that did not squeek or leak.
Oddly enough, this is the first 914 that I have never had a roof squeak for some reason. Owned it for a while till I realized one day, I wasn't hearing a squeak!
Posted by: boxstr Apr 4 2015, 11:19 PM
This is the steel roofed custom, no squeaks on this 914-6
Craig at CAMP
Attached image(s)
Posted by: boxstr Apr 4 2015, 11:20 PM
Fun stuff
Posted by: r_towle Apr 5 2015, 09:26 AM
how much now?
We know what he put into it, and its really cool.
Sad, but its so customized for one persons vision, its never going to get near what he put into it....
Rich
Posted by: mepstein Apr 5 2015, 09:58 AM
the long term plan is for scotty to weld a steel hardtop to my suby conversion. If he's still welding on 914's.
Posted by: Mike Bellis Apr 5 2015, 10:16 AM
I want to do this too. I think I need to put my car on a Celette table first. I would hate to weld on a roof and find the tub is bent...
Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 5 2015, 10:21 AM
Hi Dan! How about a picture of your ride?
I am picking up my 944 roof in two weeks. It will be a bit befor I can tackle that project, but it will eventually happen!
Hope the family is well!
Posted by: boxstr Apr 5 2015, 10:19 PM
Funstuff
Posted by: rgalla9146 Jun 24 2020, 06:09 AM
I want this. And AC too.
Call me crazy but a quiet, cool 914 (with a 3.0 or larger) is the ultimate.
Posted by: 9146GUY Jun 24 2020, 07:01 AM
Here's what it looks like in white.
Posted by: mepstein Jun 24 2020, 08:35 AM
I want this. And AC too.
Call me crazy but a quiet, cool 914 (with a 3.0 or larger) is the ultimate.
Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 24 2020, 10:48 AM
I am contemplating this for my 4.0L conversion. Even with a Brad Mauyer kit, I broke the targa top latch on the left rear. The extra chassis stiffness would be great.
Maybe I can scavange some parts off the donor car used to repair Betty's car?
Posted by: Johny Blackstain Jun 24 2020, 10:55 AM
I've wanted the steel roof & a converted 915 for years; already got almost everything else 
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 24 2020, 11:48 AM
I wanted one and got one
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 24 2020, 11:49 AM
I wanted one and got one
but I do not like it as much as this one:
Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 24 2020, 12:13 PM
I wanted one and got one
There are only so many of those to go around.
Posted by: Root_Werks Jun 24 2020, 04:43 PM
It's a big project and there is room for a lot of mistakes and "If only..." after the roof is welded on. I thought about doing it again since my 914 needs paint anyway. Would be a steel flare and steel roof project.
A lot of work and time.
Posted by: CBee Jul 1 2020, 11:36 AM
I know the 944 and 924S manual sunroof cars are the preferred roof panel donors.
Does anyone have any idea if the early 1st generation 924 (pre 944) roof panel is suitable?
I may have a lead on one and need to get the Sawzall ready if it's an option.
Posted by: mepstein Jul 1 2020, 12:12 PM
I think the most practical way to do a steel roof would be to find someone who has the skill to make a kit and have a group buy.
Posted by: ChrisFoley Jul 1 2020, 02:13 PM
I think the most practical way to do a steel roof would be to find someone who has the skill to make a kit and have a group buy.
Posted by: mepstein Jul 1 2020, 02:57 PM
I think the most practical way to do a steel roof would be to find someone who has the skill to make a kit and have a group buy.
Yes, I know we've talked about this and I know it's not cheap to do but a guy like you making the correct parts to make it all work gives most people a better chance of actually getting it done.
Posted by: Beebo Kanelle Jul 1 2020, 05:35 PM
Steel roofs? YES ! For all the aforementioned reasons
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