Rebody Roof and Windscreen issue

[Dave in Southampton]

Hello
I'm trying to build a SWB GTO Tribute kit on my 1999 2.8 Auto Z3.
The first parts of the kit I fitted I fitted were the parcel shelf and the boot extension.
I 've arrived at the point where I'm fixing the rear body and I have an issue with the roof and the windscreen.
The roof fits beautifully but it covers the windscreen seal and I can't see how once fitted, the windscreen could ever be replaced.
Chris at Tribute insists that the panel needs to push down at the back and this will draw the roof back.
The panel fits at the door shut and it can't go down or back at that point.

Has anybody else had this issue?

Regards

Dave

 

[Duncodin]

Maybe it needs to move back just a fraction and see-saw backwards a bit just to clear the windscreen surround.

Take a look through the rebody section to see others who have a coupe roof.

Make a new post showing pictures but also include a name or two of members you think might be able to help based on what they've built. Prefix the name with the @ character and they'll be notified and more likely to see your question.

 

[Dave in Southampton]

Hi

I'll take another look. The rebody threads I have seen are convertibles.

Please see picture.

The body panel needs to go back 12mm

 

[Duncodin]

Hi

I'll take another look. The rebody threads I have seen are convertibles.

Please see picture.

The body panel needs to go back 12mm

Rebody - Mittaws 250 SWB Coupe Build

In theory it is waterproof but it cracks very easy - stone chips etc - and moisture gets into the cracks and freezes and cracks get worse. Underside needs stonechip protection. Are you planning on painting the whole of the exterior of front end with stonechip?

zroadster.org

 

[Duncodin]

Your picture. The roof line is way to far forward.

Ignore the back for a moment. Concentrate on the front roof line. Get that lined up. Now go look at the back. Show us what the back looks like over door B pillar.

 

[Pond]

Your picture. The roof line is way to far forward.

Looks about the same as in @mittaw s pictures which you linked before he cut it all back.
Seems to me that Tribute can't make a decent fitting kit. Not good IMO, especially as ALL Z3s are the same dimensions.

I was looking at the roof on mine earlier (still has the Z3 convertible top) and it would have made sense to me for them to have moulded the roof to sit in the channel that holds the soft top, then bonded in. That would give a flush roof line for the GRP to windscreen surround.

Even if the OP can get it to sit behind the windscreen surround, it is going to sit proud, which will look like a dog's dinner and be 'whistley'.

Or have I got it wrong?

 

[mittaw]

Hi

I'll take another look. The rebody threads I have seen are convertibles.

Please see picture.

The body panel needs to go back 12mm

100% Dave i had to cut mine back. When i lined it up it was over the window too. I pulled it back but then had conflict with the door shut too like you. I ended up ditching the peice of fibreglass that sits on top of the windsceen and bonding the roof directly to the windscreen top after roughing it up for better bond after cutting the roof back a bit.

I'm so glad i did it as the windscreen has Just cracked so need to replace it and wouldnt have been able to if i had bonded it over the screen

You need to rework the a pillar covers a little too after but I'm very pleased with the result. I set out in my thread how i cut it back. Let me know if you want anymore photos and i can post some up when I'm next at the unit.

I'm curretly still working on the roof as the panel joins leave quite an odd roof line but with some careful fibreglassing you can get a good fit. I was initially worried about the metal v fibreglass bond over the windscreen but ive had it in a cold unit over the winter and out in the sunshine in the heatwaves and its all been fine so far.

You cant quite see in this image the gap but the gap between the roofline and windscreen is as per the original car gap. The trim I'm still working on ideas but the advice ive had about using wheel arch trim works nicely and covers over any imperfections in the cutting of the roof back.

Good luck with your build and let me know if you want any images.

 

[mittaw]

Here you go @Dave in Southampton

The cut line i did. Plus i was advised to cut this section out and replace with stainless steel section and fibreglass over. There was an article in kit car magazine about it. Objective is to reduces chances of cracks between the panels

See below for final join

A pillar cover section cut back too