Roof Chop on a Saab

[T9 man]

I have coilovers fitted to the car and it has lowered the stance considerably from the factory standard height. The car is to all intents and purposes as low as she will go, allowing for the spirited drive around a track to be still possible!

I was looking at some American custom car websites a short while ago for inspiration, and came across cars with their roofs chopped to improve the looks, lower their stance, call it what you will!

Popped outside to have a good look at the Beast to see what might be involved in having the roof chopped 60-70mm!

There is quite a bit of headroom to play with, and apart from having the front and the rear screens specially cut down, and the custom fabrication of some interior trim, I cannot see any other obstacle that might prevent this from happening! Advice and wisdom needed here! have I missed anything or overlooked something?

[Prince]

Would this not ruin the structural integrity though? I personally think it's a step too far.

[T9 man]

This is why I asked the question as i'm not sure, thought to my self that the roof is welded to the center and A pillars so what's the difference in it being still welded but 60mm lower?

Thanks for your opinion mate

[Prince]

I would imagine cutting the roof and re-welding it would weaken it. I wouldn't do it as I'm taller than 5ft so I'd bash my head on the roof. I also think it would cost way too much to be plausible. Have seen a Chrysler 300C with it done though and it did look good!

Another way to improve the stance (from a cosmetic point of view) would be to add more negative camber.

[T9 man]

The car had it's full geometry adjusted a couple of weeks ago now! If I had them readjust for more negative camber, what could I expect with regards to tyre wear (£1000 a set) and very high speed run stability?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by T9 man

The car had it's full geometry adjusted a couple of weeks ago now! If I had them readjust for more negative camber, what could I expect with regards to tyre wear (£1000 a set) and very high speed run stability?

You will sacrifice high speed stability in favour of better cornering. Tyre wear increases with more camber as well but how much depends on how aggressive.

Do you know what your camber readings are?

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Prince

You will sacrifice high speed stability in favour of better cornering. Tyre wear increases with more camber as well but how much depends on how aggressive.

Do you know what your camber readings are?

The last ones are with my accountant still, but this one is from October last year with all the suspension mods fitted.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by T9 man

The last ones are with my accountant still, but this one is from October last year with all the suspension mods fitted.

Looks about right for a road car. You could probably get away with pushing it slightly further if you really wanted.

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Prince

Looks about right for a road car. You could probably get away with pushing it slightly further if you really wanted.

Marvellous, cheers Prince

[Prince]

Originally Posted by T9 man

Marvellous, cheers Prince

No problem mate!

[Loz]

From your title I thought you were going to turn her into a convertable!

Is anyone handy with photo-editing? Maybe we could get some pics done of your car with varying roof heights to give you an idea of how much to ruin... sorry I meant lower it by.

[Big Fat Fatty]

the american cars you were looking at T9 were probably seperate body on a chassis jobbies so they can keep the integrity of the body while keeping all the strength in the chassis, I'm with Prince on this, keep the standard roof line, sorry mate

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Loz

From your title I thought you were going to turn her into a convertable!

Is anyone handy with photo-editing? Maybe we could get some pics done of your car with varying roof heights to give you an idea of how much to ruin... sorry I meant lower it by.

Hangs his head low and slow walks away in shame!

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Big Fat Fatty

the american cars you were looking at T9 were probably seperate body on a chassis jobbies so they can keep the integrity of the body while keeping all the strength in the chassis, I'm with Prince on this, keep the standard roof line, sorry mate

Much appreciated BFF!

[Big Fat Fatty]

which site was it you got this sudden flash of inspiration from then T9, i wouldn't mind 'aving a quick gander

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Big Fat Fatty

which site was it you got this sudden flash of inspiration from then T9, i wouldn't mind 'aving a quick gander

http://www.boydcoddington.com/Galler...3/Default.aspx

There are some amazing cars on here!

[Loz]

Originally Posted by T9 man

Hangs his head low and slow walks away in shame!

Aww now I feels bad & I was only jessing!

In all fairness as long as the joints were strengthend when the roof is reattached I can't see there being a problem.
My only concern would be keeping the body aligned & straight when the roof is first cut off, I suspect that all four corners would want to splay outwards as the tension is removed from across the top of the car.

Give Wisbech Engineering a bell & see what they say, they have been going for years & have a very good rep within the custom scene.

http://www.wisbech-engineering.co.uk/

The other niggle would be getting the interior trim shrunk to match the lower roof line as well as new glass. But half the fun is getting there isn't it?

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by Loz

Aww now I feels bad & I was only jessing!

In all fairness as long as the joints were strengthend when the roof is reattached I can't see there being a problem.
My only concern would be keeping the body aligned & straight when the roof is first cut off, I suspect that all four corners would want to splay outwards as the tension is removed from across the top of the car.

Give Wisbech Engineering a bell & see what they say, they have been going for years & have a very good rep within the custom scene.

http://www.wisbech-engineering.co.uk/

The other niggle would be getting the interior trim shrunk to match the lower roof line as well as new glass. But half the fun is getting there isn't it?

Have said my fond farewells to my lady! have filled the petrol tank, and now I seek a nearby cliff to dive off into the rocks below to end it all!! Tell my mother that I love her dearly! and that it was me and not my little brother who broke her favorite vase with the football in the living room back in 1972! and this was all down to that "Loz" on Torque Cars!

[claymore]

I'v just finished a roof chop on an old daimler, not for the faint hearted, you would have to rake the screen back or lengthen and widen the roof to make it fit.

[turbonutter69]

Yes it can be done. It may well need a bit of strengthening and quite abit of wedge but it can be done.

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by claymore

I'v just finished a roof chop on an old daimler, not for the faint hearted, you would have to rake the screen back or lengthen and widen the roof to make it fit.

Some goodnews at last! cheers Claymore! just need to find a competent bodyshop to take this on

[T9 man]

Originally Posted by turbonutter69

Yes it can be done. It may well need a bit of strengthening and quite abit of wedge but it can be done.

Thanks TN, money not a problem, but the craftsman to pull it all off! that's something else again!

[claymore]

[Loz]

Originally Posted by T9 man

Have said my fond farewells to my lady! have filled the petrol tank, and now I seek a nearby cliff to dive off into the rocks below to end it all!! Tell my mother that I love her dearly! and that it was me and not my little brother who broke her favorite vase with the football in the living room back in 1972! and this was all down to that "Loz" on Torque Cars!

Oh well if you've made your mind up, but before you depart let me swap cars with you. There's no sense smashing that lovely Saab of yours on the rocks when you can do the same job in £1400 MG.

[T9 man]

Many thanks for the photos Claymore, crikey! had no idea so much work would be involved in this, it was an eye opener, cheers.