Trying to identify Webasto Sunroof on 1972 1800ES

[plainjimbo]

I'm in the process of restoring a 1972 1800ES that I inherited from my late Grandfather. The car has been parked at my Grandfathers since the early 1990's. He used it as his commuter car for years. Just finished having the engine and transmission rebuilt.
Engine

It's currently at a body shop getting ready for paint
Drivers Side

It has what I'm guessing is an aftermarket sunroof installed. It looks like a very high quality installation though. My Grandfather is not the original owner, but he purchased the car back in the 1970s and came with the sunroof already installed. Here is a picture he took of the car, I'm guessing this is from the late 1970's and it already has the sunroof installed:
old photo

Those are knock-off rims too with Volvo three-ear hubs... I'm also trying to figure out if those were an option back then. Can't seem to info on those either.

Here's a close up of the roof right now:
Sunroof Exterior

The sunroof looks like a hand-crank operated sunroof. The crank itself is missing, but the rest of the mechanism is there and looks to be functional and intact. The brand name on the crank mechanism is Webasto, and the other text in there is german that looks like "Bis Anschlag drehen". That which translates to "turn to the stop":
Sunroof Interior

Does anyone know anything about these types of sunroofs and where I can get some more information on them? Searching for Webasto sunroofs now I either find classic soft top sunroofs or new sunroofs. Can't find anything on a classic steel hand crank sunroof from the 70's or 80's....


Does anyone know where I might find either:

• A replacement hand crank arm? I don't even know what it's supposed to look like
• Replacement seals?

Any information at all on this thing would be quite helpful. Thank you!

[cassell]

Hi,

To my knowledge that's not a Webasto sunroof, they tend to be folding vinyl type fitted as aftermarket accessories.

What I think you have is a Golde sunroof which was offered by Volvo as a very expensive option on some models including 1800ES.

IIRC these were fitted after the car was completed in production and sent to a Golde installer for the modification. I also think Golde had some association with VW in Germany but I may be wrong. Have a Google, you may find some info regarding parts for yours.

Paul

[plainjimbo]

Yeah, this one is a bit different than the Golde one's I've seen so far.

Apologies, I had some trouble formatting the images. I think I've fixed them up.

If you look at the interior shot of the Sunroof, it definitely says Webasto on the baseplate for the operating mechanism.

[plainjimbo]

Adding research details in case it helps someone else...


Searching for "w123 sunroof" on Ebay turned up all kinds of parts that look quite similar to my sunroof. I ended up ordering a handle and pin combination for a 70's W123 and it fits and functions perfectly. Got this NOS set for $40 from someone who bought out a benz shop that went out of business:

• w123-handle-pin.jpg
• w123-handle-iso.jpg
• w123-handle-bottom.jpg
• w123-handle-top.jpg
• w123-handle-parts.jpg

Worth noting, however, that the W123 base plate does not look identical (no webasto branding):

• w123-base-plate.jpg

I did find one a handle and base plate combo on Ebay where the baseplate looked identical to mine (has webasto branding) and the handle is shaped slightly different. This was about twice the price at $90 and didn't come with a pin so I took my chances on the cheaper option, which worked out. Ebay seller mentioned this was an extra they had for a mercedes sedan w108/w110 for early 60 ‘s to 67 up to 70’s for european models:

• webasto-branded-handle.jpg

Additionally I'll include some pictures of the W123 sunroof mechanism in case anyone was interested. There were a bunch of these on Ebay for around $100:

• w123-mechanism-eye.jpg
• w123-mechanism-width.jpg
• w123-mechanism-top.jpg
• w123-mechanism-length.jpg

Given the parts and assemblies that are out there, the W123 sunroof looks like it could option for anyone looking to add a sunroof

[Laird Scooby]

Even back in the 70s, companies weren't averse to using other companies products and branding them as their own. This is certainly what appears to have happened here. You may also find Ford models of a similar era had Golde sunroofs, i know the Mk4 and 5 Cortinas i had did, not that you got those stateside. I think you got the Capri though (sometimes branded Merkur i think) and they often had sliding steel sunroofs too, usually Golde made.

I see you've already had this advice in a slightly different form, i'm just adding this as a possible alternative source of parts.

[Derek UK]

Yours is not the only US ES with a sliding metal roof. Have a Google.

Or, join here and ask.
1800list@groups.io