1958 356a sunroof headliner

[Etienne Kerkhoffs]

It's muslin to cover the bars, the pillars and the sunroof drain tubes.

[Gary Koehler]

Etienne,
More questions, hope you can get back to your resto soon...

In the same picture, P7211824.JPG, it looks like the muslin fabric is there to bond the headliner to, but how much of the headliner surface is bonded to it? Around the edges for sure, but what about in the center area?
Also, did you install insulation to the underside of the roof above it before attaching the fabric?

Thanks,
Gary

[Etienne Kerkhoffs]

I have glued sound deadening material to the roof.

The headliner is glued to all window and door openings AND against the firewall AND in a straight line from below the rear quarter windows towards the firewall. See blue lines in picture. (actually, this was the most difficult part in my opinion. To tight and the garnish rail won't fit, too loose and the garnish rail will cause wrinkles after mounting.)
In the center, between the 2 interior lights and the rear window and the sunroof opening, the headliner is NOT glued anywhere. Just at the edges.

[Bill Wridge]

I wonder if the seams in the headliner were there just to save headliner material?

[Jon Skibinski]

I just replaced the headliner in my 1960 B and am happy to report that everything looks great so far! I'm at the point where the sunroof goes back in, but am not sure how the aluminum rails are supposed to fit on the "L" brackets at the back of the roof. Can anyone tell me whether the L-bracket is supposed to fit over the rail, under the rail, or in one of the grooves?

Over the rail (like in the first picture) initially looked correct, but the other end of the rail sticks way up in the air and requires significant pressure to bend it downwards (pressure that flexes the L-braket and the cross member that the headliner is glued to):

Driver Side

Passenger Side w/o rail

My guess is that the bracket fits into either the upper or lower groove of the rail, but I'm hoping someone can confirm. Of all the books and manuals I have, none were helpful. Thanks!

[Jim Karaba]

I installed mine just like yours, under the bracket. This helps when installing the roof panel anyways.

[Bill Wridge]

I just replaced the headliner in my 1960 B and am happy to report that everything looks great so far! I'm at the point where the sunroof goes back in, but am not sure how the aluminum rails are supposed to fit on the "L" brackets at the back of the roof. Can anyone tell me whether the L-bracket is supposed to fit over the rail, under the rail, or in one of the grooves?

Over the rail (like in the first picture) initially looked correct, but the other end of the rail sticks way up in the air and requires significant pressure to bend it downwards (pressure that flexes the L-braket and the cross member that the headliner is glued to):

Driver Side

The attachment PB260094.JPG is no longer available

The attachment PB260095.JPG is no longer available

Passenger Side w/o rail

The attachment PB260100.JPG is no longer available

My guess is that the bracket fits into either the upper or lower groove of the rail, but I'm hoping someone can confirm. Of all the books and manuals I have, none were helpful. Thanks!

Don't bend the rail, it only attaches in the front--Upper rail
Does this Pic Help? Sent to me from Ed Klaus

[Etienne Kerkhoffs]

Bill's picture and Jim's reply are correct. The L-shaped bracket will fit over the rail. That's why there's a rubber on the inside.

[Steve Hatfield]

Some pictures of my headliner job that I did a few weeks ago.

P7211824.JPG

P9032105.JPG

P9032110.JPG

P9052132.JPG

P9092153.JPG

P9092155.JPG

P9082149.JPG

Etienne
I just emailed you asking for some detailed help with my project based on your most excellent display of work here.
Thanks
Steve Hatfield
shat7@cox.net

[Jon Skibinski]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Sunroof is in and functional. 8)

[Etienne Kerkhoffs]

I just emailed you asking for some detailed help with my project based on your most excellent display of work here.
Thanks
Steve Hatfield
shat7@cox.net

Hi Steve,

I just send youan email back.

Etienne

[Bill Wridge]

Steve

Your pictures did not show up.

[bob maxwell]

I have an early '59 A sunroof coupe apart and can photograph anything you want. I have several pics I took as I dis-assembled the sunroof but they're too big to load here. email me at bobamaxwell@gmail.com and I'll send them to you, and will take more pics if you need.

Bob Maxwell

[Bill Wridge]

Bill's picture and Jim's reply are correct. The L-shaped bracket will fit over the rail. That's why there's a rubber on the inside.

Well I am now at this same point in my own Sunroof assembly and I have have discovered that when I lay in the Sunroof rails they naturally lay on top of the L bracket. If I put the ends inside the brackets the forward end of the rails are lifted about an inch and I hesitate to bend them down. If I install the rubber,of which I do not have , it makes the problem even worse. I know the correct position is inside the bracket but ??? decisions, decisions

[Bill Wridge]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Sunroof is in and functional. 8)

What would be really helpful right now would be a step by step procedure of the final installation of the assembled Sunroof with pictures .
Is Sunroof installed before or after headliner?
Are side rails attached to Sunroof first?

Lots of questions but a procedure would be appreciated and would be a great final part of this thread.
Thanks