Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

Leave it alone!

Yeah. Maybe. I'm going to talk to some shops and get some more information. Ideally It can be converted back to a proper slick top without a delete panel. We'll see.

I believe you can get parts for an MGB GT Webasto top. The Frontline company in the UK installs them in their retro hotrod MGBs. That makes me think the bits might be available.

I've researched this for years and know that things like the glass panel are the same as late 80s Fords and Lincolns, and the motor was also used in other models, (and I have spares on hand for these), but things like the tray itself, cables, and various plastic bits are NLA. And some of the plastic bushings and clamps are no longer around to scan and 3D print/replicate. I'll take a look at Frontline nad see if there's anything new there.

I go through this thought process every few years and haven't done anything about it, though this is the first time I've posted about it.

[ehrawn]

Am I crazy for considering removing the Webasto unit entirely and having a restoration fabricate a clean, motorsport-inspired riveted panel rather than a factory-invisible repair? A center roof bow (between the B pilars) would also need to be fabricated as I'm pretty sure the factory one was cut out to fit the Webasto unit (which has it's own center roof bow between the B pillars). I'd have to figure out a headliner at some point as well.

No, Mike. Horrible idea. You have a really clean car. Restore it to a slick top.

[mike.bmw]

No, Mike. Horrible idea. You have a really clean car. Restore it to a slick top.

I've come to my senses again, I think. I'l reach out to some shops and see what it would take to convert the car back to a slick top. And if it's crazy expensive, I'll be happy with what I have. The dealer-installed Webasto is a fun story and is cool to see in action, even if it's not my cup of tea.