Rusty Roof

Hi, I assume that you are in Chilliwak, B.C. I am in Richmond and will offer to go and look at the car with you. I had the same rusty roof issue that you describe. It can be repaired but is some work to do. There is actually some felt type padding in the roof between the two roof sections that does get wet and seems to retain a bit of moisture that sits there and rusts from the inside over time, thrown up from the rear wheels through the unbaffled rear inner fenders. When I repaired mine I also reinforced where the hinges are mounted. Much easier to get at while apart. PM me if you want to meet up. I have a 72 (since 1982) and a 74. Steve

I had the same issue with a California car that had spent it’s life on the coast. I intended to make it into a Group 5 clone rather than modify a pristine 72 Pantera, and since I was going to modify the body anyway the rust didn’t bother me. I opened up the entire back roof about 6 inches back and cut out the rusty sections. The structural elements, especially the engine cover supports for the hinges, looked weak to me so I fabbed a hoop out of square tubing (about 5/8 X 3 inches as I remember). It ran across the back and down each side like a roll bar. I then replaced the sheet metal and you’d never know it was there.

Just a word of caution, If you have rust there then check the front of the hood and the rear of the engine cover as I had similar rust in those areas as well. Nothing that can’t be fixed but extra time and money. I did the work on mine about 15 years ago and it’s been fine ever since