Mk1 cloth sunroof trade? Any steel-sunroof Mk1s for sale,trade?

[mr.utility at highstream.net (David Utley)]

Brian,
  Thanks for all the details, it helps me have a more educated opinion on that 
particular car...  One last question:  Do these cars have more wind noise, 
either with a good top, and I assume definately with a bad top?  I am just 
trying to figure out whether or not this is something I am even interested 
in....

Thanks again,
-- 
Regards,
David Utley
-----------
Cable Volkswagen
405-470-3129
1-800-522-6793


Quoting Brian Honnold <bhonnold@pac-cap.com>:

> The sliding vinyl tops were installed on about 1500 MkI's between 1978 and
> 1981.  This was a dealer option most often found on cars on the west coast.
> 
> As the story goes, the tops were originally manufactured by a British
> company called Weathersheilds LTD.  These early roof are identified by a
> Weathershields plaque on the front of the frame around the latch hole.  In
> 1979 Brittax bought out Weathershields LTD then proceeded to distribut the
> remaining stock of tops and disposed of the molds.  Most of the tops found
> on cars post 1980 are Brittax.
> 
> The original top is approx a 30 inch square with a chrome frame and black
> vinyl top.  There was/is a plastic wind deflector that could be rotated up
> when the top is open to reduce noise.  Most cars no longer have this
> deflector.  Underneath the headliner there are to flimsy supports riveted to
> the upper body channel at each end of the sliding top frame.  These rivets
> will become weak over time and will break leaving the roof unsupported and
> prone to developing cracks at all four corners.  Typically this failure is
> found on MkI's with ragtops that have been modified with stiffer springs and
> sway/stress bars.  Jeff T and I have been working on a way to strengthen the
> roof supports and lessen potential for cracking.
> 
> The other weakness is leaking.  Without a tight top, water will travel under
> the vinyl and leak onto the drivers lap and or seat.  Over the course of 25
> years it can lead to rust under the carpet and all the problems associated
> with floor rust.  Especially bad in the 78 that had brake lines running
> inside the car.
> 
> Most ragtops still on the road have had the top recovered at least once.
> Any good local shop can recover the sliding part and use a modern canvas top
> material that is far superior to the original vinyl.  This runs around
> $350-$500 depending on your location and the shop.
> 
> There used to be a shop in SoCal called Sunroof Performers that did many
> original dealer installs and up till a few years ago had spare parts.  I
> believe the lister Jeff T tried to contact them recently and sadly could not
> locate them. 
> 
> BcH
> 78 MkI Ragtop ABA 16vT boxes of parts
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: David Utley [mailto:mr.utility@highstream.net] 
> > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 1:33 PM
> > To: Brian Honnold
> > Subject: RE: Mk1 cloth sunroof trade? Any steel-sunroof Mk1s 
> > for sale, trade?
> > 
> > 
> > So, what are they like, then?  Is a hard top quieter?  Do 
> > they tend to leak?  
> > I am interested in any info you decide to share with me...
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > -- 
> > Regards,
> > David Utley
> > -----------
> > Cable Volkswagen
> > 405-470-3129
> > 1-800-522-6793
> > 
> > 
> > Quoting Brian Honnold <bhonnold@pac-cap.com>:
> > 
> > > Sorry man, no one around here knows anything about soft top MkI's
> > > 
> > > BcH
> > > 78 MkI Ragtop ABA 16vT boxes of parts
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: scirocco-l-bounces@scirocco.org
> > > > [mailto:scirocco-l-bounces@scirocco.org] On Behalf Of David Utley
> > > > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 1:08 PM
> > > > To: Julie Macfarlane
> > > > Cc: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > > > Subject: Mk1 cloth sunroof trade? Any steel-sunroof Mk1s for 
> > > > sale, trade?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > List,
> > > >    I am considering a possible trade with a fellow cross
> > > > country who has a mk1 
> > > > with a cloth sunroof...  Can anyone tell me the good, bad and 
> > > > ugly about 
> > > > these?  Has anyone owned these before?  What are the concerns 
> > > > about this type 
> > > > of roof?  Is wind noise a problem?  Anything to be 
> > cautious about it?
> > > > 
> > > >   The car appears to be in good condition, 'cept it is black
> > > > (ick)...  We are 
> > > > entertaining the idea of a trade, for one of my hardtops (I 
> > > > have two)...  
> > > > 
> > > >   I should also ask, is there anyone selling their
> > > > metal-sunroofed mk1?  Or 
> > > > perhaps a trade for one of my hardtops?  I am not sure which 
> > > > way I need to go, 
> > > > but I should examine all avenues before I jump in...
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks for your help,
> > > >    David Utley
> > > > 
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > > Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
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> > > > 
> > > 
> > > 
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> 
> 
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