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[Craig T]

The parts catalogue refers to them as tropical roof panels which is what I've always known them as.

I have one on my 86" station wagon but I have one with only two roof vents in it which I believe was only a 1954 model year thing then they went to 4 roof vents. Must admit I haven't measured it but can see why you say it's narrower. I think the 86" alpine windows are a different size to later ones as well so I must be careful not to break them!

Craig.

[Neilfurness]

Many thanks for the replies so far, do we know if the tropical roof without vents was a factory fitment

[Craig T]

The tropical roof panel is shown in my optional parts catalogue and there is a fitting kit for it to allow it to be fitted to a standard hardtop so it was indeed possible to fit the tropical panel onto the hardtop roof with no vents or alpine windows in it. The drawing however does show the tropical roof panel as having the bumps in it for the vents but the part number isn't the same as in my series IIA parts book.

332025 in the optional parts book
332194 in the IIA parts book.

Craig.

[twomokes]

332025 is for the tropical roof panel for hardtop without vents shown in the optional parts catalogue (my version is 1967), 332194 is the tropical roof panel for station wagon shown in the standard parts catalogue (again my version is 1968). My understanding is they were intended of export vehicles to hot climates.

[Neilfurness]

Thanks all this is mine with alpine windows but no vents

[Ironchicken64]

The previous owner removed the outer skin on mine and I have a roof with four vents that are fully exposed. Fortunately it seems to be fairly water tight. Not sure what I am going to do in the long run but I doubt it would be easy to find another outer skin.

[GHOBHW]

The previous owner removed the outer skin on mine and I have a roof with four vents that are fully exposed. Fortunately it seems to be fairly water tight. Not sure what I am going to do in the long run but I doubt it would be easy to find another outer skin.

i think blanchards sell the outerskin still, not for pennies, but its there

you could also find a 109 station wagon roof and as sad as it is, remove the top skin and make an 88 one out of it. 109 station wagon roofs have come up for cheap a lot, if youre patient

[Neilfurness]

Anyone know somebody that can make the headlining

[Larry S.]

no idea who made it or if it was official, i got it from norfolk area years and years ago. the alpine windows threw me off, as theyre really high up, compared to normal ones

i have seen a few other smooth top skins before as well, so they were made in some degree at least

https://littlegreenlandy.com/2017/11/20/roof-4-safari-sun-sheet/

this man here had one of the smooth type, he says he got it from blanchards, ex military, so maybe this is what mine was

sadly i know all too well what is under them, as i actually cut that one pictured up, as this was a time when you couldnt give them away, or i couldnt anyway, ended up giving away the top skin and Z channels, so they found a home at least. still breaks my heart

Elsewhere on his blog he documents the installation of the vents as well, he mounted them facing backwards.

[Larry S.]

there is badger coach works ( https://www.badgercoachworks.com/ )

theyre in the USA, so you will have to get it shipped over, but its about as original as you can get

This is who I'm going with.  Or perhaps Wittsend's carpeting idea.

[Larry S.]

Are these Tropical roofs or Safari roofs
I've been looking for one for a 86" and did think of fitting a top skin from a 88" to a single skin 86" roof but of course the 86" roof is wider so the rivit holes don't match the ribs

However in hot sunshine a Safari/tropical roof reduces the inside to a cooler place, even in Wales

I've heard both, but prefer "Trop Top".  I've seen "skin" used a lot for the top piece, but have also seen "sun shield".

[Larry S.]

The parts catalogue refers to them as tropical roof panels which is what I've always known them as.

I have one on my 86" station wagon but I have one with only two roof vents in it which I believe was only a 1954 model year thing then they went to 4 roof vents. Must admit I haven't measured it but can see why you say it's narrower. I think the 86" alpine windows are a different size to later ones as well so I must be careful not to break them!

Craig.

Forgot about the official term...   

[diffwhine]

Anyone know somebody that can make the headlining

Neil - there's a company near me called J Mussel & Son who have been around for donkey's years. They are specialist classic car trimmers and would do this sort of thing. They are probably a bit far for your job, but the kind of place who would do this. In the case of Mussels, I suspect it would be an absolutely perfect job, but not at all cheap. Here's their website link:
http://www.surreycarinteriors.co.uk/

A bit closer to home, have you considered talking to Trevor at Nationwide Trim in Redditch? If he can't / won't do it, he may know somebody locally who can. http://www.nationwidetrim.co.uk/

I'll have the same problem when I come to do my headlining, so keen to see if you get  positive answer.

[Neilfurness]

I’ll keep you all informed how I get on, many thanks neil