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Jacqualos
24th May 2020, 12:33 PM
Wanted:

Sunshine roof for a WW2 Ford Blitz truck like the attached photo but not in similar rotted shape. The red one with open roof.

Will swap a very good closed roof complete with VG hatch lid (one in primer) for a Sunshine roof of similar condition and consider cash adjustment if as good, or better.

morrisman
24th May 2020, 10:08 PM
hi Jacques

I don't have one but I've seen a few of the Aust. pattern sunshine roofs over the years . I know this is a silly suggestion but could you modify the closed top roof you have ? Or is the closed top one a rare Canadian made roof that is scarce ? Ah I see its a local pattern roof with the two grab handles

Jacqualos
25th May 2020, 09:08 AM
hi Jacques

I don't have one but I've seen a few of the Aust. pattern sunshine roofs over the years . I know this is a silly suggestion but could you modify the closed top roof you have ? Or is the closed top one a rare Canadian made roof that is scarce ? Ah I see its a local pattern roof with the two grab handles

Hi Morrisman,

The Tropical/Sunshine roofs were uniquely Australian and fitted exclusively to the 15 CWT Battery Staff trucks. Haven't got the production figures but initially all of these trucks had them so I would think perhaps a thousand or more had them so they are not that rare. From 1943 onward they fitted mainly the closed roof and called them GS (General Service) vehicles.
I have salvaged the angle iron ring at the opening from the red roof and a few fittings for samples. Yes, the closed one could be modified, not easily, but possible. An expert panel person could bend the compound curves over the angle iron and spot weld it in. Hate to think of the man hours and cost however.
I would prefer not to go that route, not only from the cost, but to sacrifice a very good roof for a replica Sunshine roof goes against my historical vehicle conservation nature. If these closed roof were plentiful I might think differently.
I will use the closed roof in the meantime and keep searching. Thanks for you reply.

P.S Checked production figures. 940 were ordered in one batch in 1942 so well over 1000 is a very likely figure.