[BigRed]

I have a 68 mustang that I bought about a year ago. The roof is rusted through in spots big enough for me to put my hand through. Has anyone replaced a roof on a classic mustang that can give me some advise? I thought about making it a convertable but not sure how hard that would be either. I have put alot of work into the engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes which im a decent mechanic so not that hard but now is time for body work and I dont know much about it. I would just swap all the stuff into another mustang with a better body but I love my mustang and want to try and get her back into shape. If anyone has any info on converting it to convertible or replacing the roof please let me know.

Thanks,
BRM

[Stang6uy]

there is a classic car scrap yard I think north of austin or so.....would have to ask my father in law but I would look there for a roof.....and replace it...

[2k4mk1]

Coupe to Vert conversion is ALOT of work and not worth it IMO.
Replacing the top would be best done by a professional body shop pretty big undertaking for the average home mech.
We have a real clean 68 Coupe if your interested, it is a low production coupe with a bench seat and overhead console 99% original and 99% complete looking to sell it so LMK if interested.

[thatdavidkid]

i know a guy in the san antonio area who just finnished a 67 that he rolled and replaced most of the body from another car... pm me and i'll get you his info once i get an ok from him.

[BigRed]

I would like to keep it a coupe and really appriciate all the response. Up to this point I have done all the work myself but not really sure if I will be able to do the body stuff myself but I would like to. Anyone know of any good books that can help?

Just for info on what I have done so far on my 68:

Took the 302 out and had it magnafluxed and bored .30
put forged alum flat pistons in
hardened connecting rods
turned the crank
eld performer heads
lunati voodoo cam
chrome molly push rods
roller rockers
performer rpm air gap intake
670 street avenger carb
headers with 2 1/2 dual exhaust and dual flowmasters
a few other little things here and there
had it ballanced at the machine shop
replaced all the suspension with origional stuff (mistake on my part because I will be replacing it again with something a little more performance and bring the front down a little.)
rebuilt the c-4 with a stage 2 shift kit and ratchet shifter.
I have the gears for the rearend (9 inch) but havent replaced them yet.
Converted the front brakes to disk with spindles from a 67 that had them origional and replaced all the brake stuff.


Thanks again for all the responce.

[keg65]

How about a vinyl top?
So the repairs don't have to be perfect.

[BigRed]

I have thought about the vinyl top. That is what I just took off to see how bad it was and the answer was ... I should have left it on till I had a bunch of $$ saved up to have the whole top replaced...lol. I might do that if I cant find a way to get another roof for it. I just really like the coupe without the vinyl but either way will work for now.

[Wiked]

or spray the top with rhino liner... never seen it on a stang but my homeboy's Torino looks bad ass with the top like that...

[keg65]

you should try taking it to a bodyshop and see what they think about it.
it may not be as big of a deal as you may think

[thatdavidkid]

i agree.. i was under the impression the top was crushed or something.. have a professional look at it before you start doing major stuff like roof replacement

[Ryan_65Stallion]

agreed. they can always cut out the rusted sections and replace the sheet metal. thats something that can easily be done

[Mustang_68_Coup]

Body work is very easy, as long as you are patient and thorough and attentive to the details. ...

If you've done all that work to it; body work will be easy.

Find someone who can stick some metal in where you cut out the rust, and the rest is easy scheezy!

I know they used to do lead, but I think they do other forms of metal now ... dunno, haven't gotten that far on my piece of junk yet ...

[BigRed]

Do you think I should sand the whole thing down before going to the body shop so we know where the rust stops or just take it to a body shop as is? I will try to post a picture so you know see how it looks.

[thatdavidkid]

couldn't hurt.... on the other hand, you dont want to leave the bare metal exposed at all in order to prevent any further rusting... i say just take it... but make sure it's a GOOD body shop

[pete68stang]

Just go to an experienced body shop who have done old cars and are guaranteed to do the work within a certain time limit, yea I know I brought this thread back up frm the dead but iv heard of bad body shops screwing over classic stang owners, u can replace the whole top if needed, I am currently looking for a fastback to do a conversion, as long as u have a good bodyshop and good imagination, ALL IS POSIBLE!

[keg65]

you know the company that is making a the complete shells of the 67 and 68 fastbacks should make a replacement fastback roof to swap onto your coupe. I had thought about that on my 65 coupe, but if you find a fastback then I would want to just build that car instead. It would only work if someone made the part in reproduction

[Ryan_65Stallion]

Originally Posted by keg65

you know the company that is making a the complete shells of the 67 and 68 fastbacks should make a replacement fastback roof to swap onto your coupe. I had thought about that on my 65 coupe, but if you find a fastback then I would want to just build that car instead. It would only work if someone made the part in reproduction

I'm sure he wants to shell out 15k for a replacement body
Plus, it wouldn't be original, repairing the roof is nothing for a skilled persons

[keg65]

that is what I am saying, they should just make the roof panel of a fastback to be swapped onto a coupe

[88GT]

you might check National Part depot. They make roofs for the old camaros. maybe the old stangs too. A roof skin is easy to replace, and all the sheet metal I ever got from them fit nearly perfect