Berlina sunroof

[Mark Patterson <mrpfiat@domain.elided>]

I am the owner of Todd Arnow's ex-Berlina (1971), and
its sunroof, and John Hertzman's skepticism about its
provenance seems right to me.

The headliner on the sunroof does not actually match
the rest of the headliner, except in that it is
off-white with perforations, because the perforation
pattern is different.  Also, the paint on the roof,
which has seen better days, is revealing two L shapes
that would square off the front curved corners of the
sunroof, suggesting, perhaps, that someone once used a
knife to score a rectangle on the roof.  I wouldn't
think that would have been done if the sunroof had
been installed at the factory.  (But I'm not sure that
I would expect it with an aftermarket roof, either.)
And the switch for the sunroof motor doesn't look
especially Alfa-like.

On the other side, the installation of the roof,
whoever did it, is very good, both in materials and,
to the extent that I can tell after all the years, in
finish.  I would think that if Alfa had done the roof,
it might not be too much different from this.

No flip-up air deflector, for those who are keeping
track.  No identification plates, either.

Possible identifying characteristics, for those with a
sunroof field guide:  The sunroof has a shallow
half-moon shape cut out in the front, and there is a
matching bulge in the stationary portion of the roof,
which I think must house the motor.  Also, the seal
around the roof was made with plush fabric wrapped
around a 3/4-inch-wide-or-so piece of thin stainless
that was then glued (with the fabric) to the
stationary portion of the roof, where the sunroof
itself pressed against it when closed.  The fabric has
basically self-destructed after 30 years, so I'm on
the lookout for similar fabric.  If anyone has any
leads, I'd be interested.





=====
Mark Patterson
1972 Fiat 124 Spider
1971 Alfa Romeo Berlina
Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards.
http://movies.yahoo.com/

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