Morris Minor Owners Club

Well after some advise from you all I decided to remove the van body roof today, something I've been putting off. As I can't actually afford a fibreglass roof ATM I wanted to get it of(the roof skin) undamaged as much as possible so I had the option of replacing the gutters and re-using the roof skin if it wasn't too bad. i know there is work to do on the frame under the roof so at least i can crack on with this while i weigh up the options.
General opinion was to drill out the spot welds, a good option but I couldn't see them, so a new plan was formed involving Iain's idea but with no saw as i haven't got one,so much use of the angle grinder ;D
Basically i grinded the edge of the guttering away allowing me too see the two panels, gutters and roof skin. More careful grinding underneath the gutter revealed the spot welds, and then ground them fully away. As a section was released packers were put in holding them apart.


Large sections didn't need grinding as they were rotten

Eventually it was nearly all released and ready to lift off.

And after a bit of a struggle due to access the final bit was released and the roof lifted clears

Some work to do on the frame but not as much as I thought


Quick lunch break and back to clean off the remains of the gutters.

Well done. That doesn't look irreparable to me.

Looks nice and honest - Good work there

One rail cleaned up.

It was alot more solid than i was expecting, although there will be a few repairs needed to the roof skin itself. At the moment I'm think of repairing it properly rather than a fibreglass roof. The cost difference will be nearly £180, plus the hassle of having to fetch the roof itself. Time i have alot of, money not unfortunately. That money saved would buy all the brake components needed.

And it means you get to keep the proper original steel roof too!

Well done - and great pictures. Now I understand how the van roof goes together! Have you got replacement gutters ? Can you post up more pics please as you fit the gutters - and refit the roof ??

Will do, but need to save up for the parts first .

I know the feeling! Are the gutters readily available ?

Yes from a member on here. I'll have to go and pay a trip over there sometime.

Yes, looks good work. If you can save the steel roof, its cheaper than buying a GRP one and its still original and steel!

BMC - Gutters are available from here:

http://www.fairmilerestorations.co.uk/pages/minor.php

Yes - I know that! Was just checking if there are any other sources, since up until last week I understood they weren't available anywhere!

Nice restoration work

Wow. I never realised the roof was assembled like this, almost designed to be 'removable'.
Raises the option of putting higher roofs on (camper, chairman type thing) too.