12 replies to this topic

[[email protected]]

Hey all,

 

First, thanks in advance for any assistance, thoughts or suggestions - even alternative ones - as they are always truly appreciated.

 

Does anyone know the cutout size for an electric "accordian-style" folding vinyl Webasto Aero-Top sunroof, Type E-FD-DW, Id Nr: 770717 (with the motor in the back and the separate electric switch under the dash rail)?

 

The roof electrics in my 1991 Mainstream Cooper are great and once I added drainage hoses and started lubing the channels once a season, the drive cables and spline movement etc. are all fine - the problem is that the vinyl is shrinking and the sides are bowing in and I'm certain that water is going to start getting in because of that. 

 

Key to note: I cannot garage my Mini so she is "sunbaked", living on the streets of NYC, USA and I'm sure that is not helping.  I did start to regularly treat it with 303 Aerospace Protectant (https://www.goldeagl...ace-protectant/) recently and that is keeping it supple, but it hasn't improved the shrinking issue.

 

And yes, I believe that the tensioner cables along the sides are still intact so replacing them is unfortunately not the simple remedy. 

 

Plus I now have a tiny tear that I have fixed with StormSure (https://www.stormsur...repair-kit.html) - great stuff by the way, but eventually that might fail too.

 

So...I'm looking to replace my existing top with a brand new manual one from these guys: https://www.sunroofs...om-size-ragtop/ but I'm trying to find the size of the existing hole before I remove my old top since I have no place to garage my "topless" Mini while I await the custom replacement to be manufactured.

 

Webasto has not been able to provide me with specifications, just telling me that the old top is bigger than their current H400 so it's not like I could just buy new from them and make my existing hole bigger - I'd need to weld in new metal or swap in a new roof - another $500+ cost to this equation I just do not have.

 

These guys once offered a new Aero-top II, but at a maximum opening of 640mm x 620mm I think it is smaller than the original Aero-top:

Mini Classic Ersatzteile von Allbrit.de - Artikel Details

 

Back a long time ago, but not anymore, they offered a skin for the Aero-top, which they refer to as "installed on: "British Open" and other special models", but at over $2,200 USD, that wasn't a path I could afford to take either

 

And I couldn't be sure an Aero-top II it is the same size as mine since I KNOW my Mini is not a BOC.  I do think my top is an Aero-Top 1 (versus an Aero-Top II or a Hollandia H400, both with the integrated motor/controls up front near the rear view mirror), but is that the exact same as AllBrit is listing?  I just can't be sure.

 

So thank you in advance it you know the dimensions, or have a template for a Webasto Aero-Top sunroof, Type E-FD-DW, Id Nr: 770717 lying around that you can check/measure!

 

Otherwise, when the time comes, I'll need to remove my top to measure the hole and refit the top if someone on here doesn't know the size.  Not the worst thing in the world, I guess, but if I can get the new top made and delivered and do the job just once, I'd prefer it!

Edited by [email protected], 02 December 2020 - 11:43 PM.

[[email protected]]

I took a photo of the label in my Aero-Top if that helps:

 Aero-Top-E-FD-DW-770717.jpg   55.97K   4 downloads

 

 

I also found dimensions for a Aero Top II KBA90535 E-FD-D4 here:

https://translate.go...D4-222346712855

Dimensions: 1130mm x 832mm (44.5in x 32.8)

Dimensions with deflector: 1210mm x 880mm (47.64in x 34.65in)

Roof opening: 1080mm x 782mm (42.52in x 30.79in)

 

And a Hollandia H400 here:

https://www.webasto....asheet-H400.pdf

Frame Size 44.5“ x 32.8“ (1130.3mm x 833.1mm)

Opening 24.5“ x 25.2“  (622.3mm x 640.1mm)

Edited by [email protected], 26 January 2019 - 11:28 PM.

[[email protected]]

Searching with "Faltdach", these two posts seem to confirm mine is an Aero-Top 1:

 

First, being a Type E-FD-DW, 

https://www.mini-for...o-top-1-oder-2/

 

Second, having the motor at the back of the car (aka: "engine rear"):

https://www.mini-for...-aero-top-1-neu

 

So it is definitely the dimensions of the cutout size for an electric "accordian-style" folding vinyl Aero-Top 1 sunroof that I am trying to find.

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows them! (or an economical suggestion for re-skinning the top in the New York City, USA area - for some reason the convertible roof places here do not want to take on the effort of making a new skin for an old top frame :-( )

 

(note I did find this chap's AMAZING DYI roof skin replacement here: http://www.theminifo...ge-7?hl=webasto but I'm not sure I'm up to the task - I'd need to buy a sewing machine first AND I'd need a garage to keep my Mini in while mucking about with fabricating my own replacement roof skin)

Edited by [email protected], 03 December 2020 - 12:10 AM.

[71bay]

Hi , What ever you do go for mohair not vinyl.

I had my sunroof replaced by a specialist last year who did a great job using Rover fabric, but I can see shrinkage already.

[[email protected]]

Ah!  Good tip - I hadn't realised that there might be a "no shrink" option!  Thank you VERY much 71Bay!

 

After more research, these guys (http://www.worlduph....onvertible_top/) second your suggestion to stay away from vinyl but for longevity reasons:

"Vinyl tops, assuming first grade quality, should last between 3 and 5 years with normal care. High quality canvas tops, given the same care, should last between 7 and 10 years."

 

Knowing nothing about mohair personally, I found a good definition here: http://www.haartz.co...uide/glossary-z along with other details about vintage coverings here: http://www.haartz.co...ails-components and most importantly, a very detailed set of descriptions of modern available ragtop fabric here: https://www.converti...com/static/help

 

Now the place I'm looking at does have a "canvas" option of "SeaMark Cloth The Ultimate Fabric" (https://www.sunroofs...mples-exterior/) which they describe as:

"Haartz engineers have expertly waterproofed Sunbrella®, the premier woven acrylic fabric, by combining it with a textured marine grade vinyl. This new design offers the best of both worlds — a beautiful, colorfast fabric with the added durability of vinyl."   See also: https://www.sunbrell...nbrella-seamark

 

But it is bonded to vinyl underneath and these folks (https://www.canvas-b...k-comments.html) mention shrinkage of this Seamark fabric: 

"Sunbrella you can look for about 1% +/- [shrinkage]. Seamark a bit more because of the vinyl shinking."

 

Hmmm.

 

Maybe I can get sunroofsource to use one of the Twillfast (http://www.haartz.co...riors/twillfast) options or maybe I can supply a length of it to them as a better choice than Seamark...

 

 

Still need to figure out the dimensions of the cutout size for an electric "accordian-style" folding vinyl Aero-Top 1 sunroof before I do anything!

 

 

Thanks again for the tip!

 

FYI: History of Haartz: https://www.hemmings...tz/3725421.html

[[email protected]]

Finally found what might be the a answer, cutout = 1134 x 834 mm, here:

https://www.mini-for...sto-aero-top-1/

 

It reads:

Rear drive motor. Manufacturer Webasto, type Aero Top 1, type designation E-FD-DW. This roof was produced until the year 1996 and mounted among others in the Mini classic. Top dimensions: 1235 x 925 mm, cutout 1134 x 834 mm.

Edited by [email protected], 03 December 2020 - 12:11 AM.

[Shep76S]

Sorry, can’t help with the roof problem, just wanted to say that a Mini driving around NYC must be very cool. Hats off to you Sir!

Edited by Shep76S, 27 October 2019 - 05:58 PM.

[[email protected]]

We do get a lot of stares, a lot of pointing and a lot of smiles Shep76S...yep, if you are self-conscious, you do NOT want to be driving a classic Mini over here!

 

,,,but most importantly, some days I pull out of my tiny parking spot and it is waiting for me when I get back because no one else could fit in it!

 

Considering how hard it is to find parking in Manhattan, that makes owning a classic Mini - that fits a family of 4 (can't do that in a SmartCar!) - perfect for NYC!

[[email protected]]

UPDATE: these guys are now offering a manual sliding Classic-Mini-specific folding/accordion convertible roof for $595.00 - see: https://www.sunroofs...ng-sunroof-kit/

 

The dimensions are:

• Overall top material size 45" x 35"
• Frame's outermost dimensions 44" x 33"
• Requires a cutout hole (through your roof) of 42" x 31"

 

So it is too small by 2.65" x 1.83" to fit in any existing Webasto Aero-Top Sunroof, Type E-FD-DW (like mine) whose cutout dimensions are 44.65" x 32.83" (1134mm x 834mm) and thus quite a bit larger (by 3.62" x 1.42") in overall size of 48.62" x 36.42" (1235 x 925 mm) as well.

 

So although I'll likely need to throw the extra money at the custom size unit https://www.sunroofs...om-size-ragtop/ , it should still cost less than throwing A LOT more money at a replacement roof and body shop labor for welding it in!

 

Just thought I would share this option for folks considering "opening her up"!

Edited by [email protected], 03 December 2020 - 12:12 AM.

[Bobbins]

That looks a very good value full roof! Any idea why it can't be fitted in a car later than '83?

[[email protected]]

I do not know why they've "capped" it at 1983....

 

But here's all the contact info I could find on their website in case you wanted to inquire:

 

US Toll Free Phone: 1-866-409-8673

 

International Phone: 1-883-409-8673

 

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

Admin Offices:

Legacy Products

7640 E Gelding Dr

Suite 100

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

USA

[Bobbins]

Brilliant :)

[[email protected]]

Just found out that the current Hollandia H400 has a cutout size of only 1080 x 782 mm.

At something like 5 centimeters too small in both length and width, it sounds like it will fall right through the 1134mm x 834mm cutout of my existing Aero-top I!