Broken Sheet Metal in Roof (was "I have this problem")

[opelgtroma1970]

Hi
sorry for my english
i have this problem with my opel gt 1970
the rear-upper part of car is broken, this part is iron?
I can solve this problem?
Thanks

[BQS4]

The only two ways for that area to "break", is rust, from the car sitting parked for a long time, or someone grafted (welded) on a new roof from it being damaged in an accident. It's steel, that can be welded, but, I would check into the car's history, if possible, to see if it has been in an accident.

[P.J. Romano]

The rear vents seem to be prone to rust in some geographical areas (at the seaside?). I bought my GT in San Diego years ago and there was absolutely no rust on it except that the rear vents were badly corroded. I had to cut them out, recreate the inner box of fiberglass and than to graft vents out of part car. I used Araldite "cold weld" bond which made the job easier. Unfortunately I never took a pictures of the process...

[GTJIM]

Probably rusted through from the inside - those openings are the vents for the ventilation system - damp air (from the driver breathing!) from inside the car comes out there.

The metal is ordinary steel sheet and can be easily welded with gas, MIG or even TIG welding.

However, there are several layers of folded metal under there - five layers from memory - and they form a structural part of the roof ( make the roof stronger) so need to be carefully made from new mild steel sheet metal.

You can use bits cut from another GT or even another 1970's car roof. (May be a Fiat with good Italian steel!) Modern cars use a different type of high tensile steel which is much more difficult to weld and bend to shape.

I think the original metal may have been made in France ... it rusts!

[opelgtroma1970]

it's true the previous owner lived near the sea!
rebuild this part is difficult?
this process moves forward with the vibrations of the rear glass
will have to repair it as soon as possible.
Thank you

[tunepipe911]

I had the same problem when I bought my gt,I looked for a good roof from another car and welded a new piece in place,it took me a day work and the result is great,no rust anymore
be carefull if you weld the new piece in,the roofplate does not bend from weldingtensions

[BQS4]

How big is the section you need?

[opelgtroma1970]

The roof is not completely broken.
the cracked section is about twenty centimeters.
in italy is really hard to find parts
for this car, particularly a roof of another car.
In italy you can find parts for the old Fiat 500
this machine is very popular here,
but no parts for the opel gt.

I try to make a weld.
sorry for my english.
thanks to all

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by opelgtroma1970 but no parts for the opel gt. I try to make a weld. sorry for my english. thanks to all

If you can send a picture with the correct measurements, I have a roof section I can cut out what you need, and if it's not too big, then it could possibly be shipped.

[opelgtroma1970]

Thank you very much for interest
Tomorrow I will take a picture.

[opelgtroma1970]

Unfortunately the roof is broken into three different points
damn..
I try to make a weld
Thank you and thank you very much GENE.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by opelgtroma1970 Unfortunately the roof is broken into three different points damn.. I try to make a weld Thank you and thank you very much GENE.

The top I have has been cut off a GT body, so it is just sitting there. If I can cut you one piece, let me know.