Two part reply. I have a webasto in my MkIv '79 car. Came with it. When I got the car, the headliner of the sunroof was stained. I had that replaced, and have never had a leak since, so I don't know how it got stained. Fit is tight and closes tight. I have driven in real storms, at speed, and no leaks. Second part, some of my cars have been sliding window cars, and I find ventilation is best if you slide the front back a bit, and the back forward a bit on both sides. I never really had a complaint about ventilation that way. (No, those cars did not have sunroofs.) Also, open the rear quarters.

A new Webasto roof today would likely be of the electric type (@$1500 installed), nice on a MKIII or later shell but a little "modern" for a MKI/II.  The new roof is much different in design to the 60's manual version which has a wood perimiter frame installed with small nails thru the cut and bent steel roof edge and features a fold up plexiglass wind deflector.

It is the owners decision if the look is acceptable, in use the electric top is practical and easy to use and gives great ventilation.  Mine is always open when driving unless it is raining, side windows are slightly opened only on the hottest days.

 

 

way back in1988 I installed a Webasto manual sunroof in my 997 Cooper. Actually a friend of mine (Paul Strieby) whom lots of you know, was the one who did the cutting and most of the installation. I have to say it was the best thing I ever did to a Mini. Would I do it again...YES in a heartbeat! I was living in Texas at the time and summers in a MK1 were simply unbearable.  aul cut the hole about 1/4" longer than it required and shutting the thing was a two handed job and was still hard to do.  After a couple of weeks in the Texas sun it got easier.  Anyway, that car left Texas and spent nearly 5 yrs in England then a couple more back here in Tenn before we took it apart and tucked away in storage for my son to restore.  That sunroof never leaked one drop even in the worst of England's rain. So, the bottom line is, install it so the sunroof stretches beyond it's limits and it will always remain tight.  I say cut it and enjoy the results, even in a MK1.

Gary,

Try an oscillating car fan. You can mail order them or get them from Agri Supply in Garner.  They will never completely solve the local heat in a Mk1/2 but it makes a big difference when you keep the air moving inside the car.

//www.amazon.com/Hawk-Oscillating-Car-Fan-12/dp/B00550XJ1M

 

cooper can you ost a pic of what you have done I cant drive the car as its a sweat box here with sliding windows

Surprised at the leaking...

When we built our first Mini more than 20 years ago it had a manually operated Weathershield sunroof and...we live where it rains.  Never had a problem with leaks.

When 1st shown at Vancouver All British:

[URL=//s100.photobucket.com/user/HunnyPot_01/media/Jeremys76MinivancABFM_zps36590044.jpg.html][/URL]

12 years later in hands of chap Jeremy sold it to:

[URL=//s100.photobucket.com/user/HunnyPot_01/media/Jers76Mini_zps5fd040b1.jpg.html][/URL]

Having said that, if the sunroof is open and you are on the interstate at speed you will lose your ball cap if no chin strap or duck tap to hold it in place.

Just found...our 1992/93 Mini build is FOR SALE on Mini Mania site:

//www.minimania.com/cars4sale/10868/1976_Austin_Cooper_S_Sedan

Of course it is NOT a 1976 Cooper S but we did build it with a warmed up NEW 1275 cc MG Metro engine, it did have Cooper S brakes (sans servo), twin tanks...and I see the 100+ mags I restored 20 years ago are still on the Mini!  Have not see it in years so can not attest to its current merits.

 

Got no dog in this one. As for sliders, I cut lexan sliders and removed the glass and could pop the plastic sliders in place. The wife bought big terry cloth towels sewed them together to from pouches to store the plastic when not in place. Steve (CTR)

The only good thing i can see about putting a Webasto in a MK I Mini and living in So Cal is it would help with the airflow restrictions of sliding windows. I agree that it would be nicer to keep a MK I original and use a MK III > but to each his own. I will say i have owned three Mini's with full lenght Webasto's and it totally transforms the car, btw all mine were factory/fitted new and had no leaks unless you washed them with the hose horizontal to the outer seam.

It is your car and your decision.  However, I agree with Dimitris.  I would be sad to see any body cutting done on a Mk1.  Again, your choice.

I have not owned a Mini with a hole in the roof.  However, over the years I have owned 4 cars with sunroofs.  All were used and I did not buy them because they had a hole in the roof.  All were factory sunroofs and most leaked.  The ones that didn't leak were the ones I never opened.  Some people love sunroofs but I never got enough enjoyment from them to justify dealing with leaks.

OP, I think it's a good upgrade and you should do it if it will make your motoring more pleasurable regardless if it's a MK1 or not.

My Webasto is a steel sun roof installed in the UK when the car was new. It leaks and always has. I have customer with the rag top type and they seem to leak as well. I keep planning to take mine to a semi local sun roof shop for a tune up and to see if they can help with the leaks. They want $100 to look at it and will repair for that or price a repair if expected to run higher. I keep a sheet of poly and clothes pins for parking in the rain. Steve (CTR)

I have a power webasto roof and absolutely love it. It's the perfect hamptons car. The  downside is that it is noisey, and leaks in the rain. If you have covered storage,  it would help keep it dry on the inside. Long trips are loud if you can't use it with the top open I have a post mark 1 & 2 body, so with the top and drivers window open I don't get the wind buffeting my head. Big plus. Find a mark 3 or later body and put one in. Leave the 1 & 2's original.

Webasto will do it for the same price with power motor.

Fyi its like having a convrtible.

its up to you! but its true mk1 Minis are getting harder and harder to find and it would be nice if you kept it original!

I posted earlier a few months back about my search for an MK1 mini. One of the features I have always liked on a mini was the manual sliding Webasto ragtop sunroof. My understanding is that this was not a factory option. That all sunroofs were done aftermarket. Finding a classic mini with a sunroof with all the other features im looking for is a rare find. Has anybody in here or do you know of any owner that has had one installed and would you recommend it? I live here in the So. Cal area. Heritage Mini in Costa Mesa has said they could put one in for about 1500.00. That includes a new headliner also. I know most owners would frown upon this as it would take away the originality of the car. 

You thoughts,

                   Tony