Roof vent position on BN7 hardtop.

[Bundyrum]

I am trying to find the dimension of the cutout for the roof vent on my BN7 Hardtop. I just need to know how far the cutout is from the upper trim piece for the window. I bought a hardtop and want to install the roof vent or at least cut out the hole before the top gets painted. Regards, Bundyrum.

 

[DerekJ]

I believe the vent itself was the type used in the Minivan at the time. The minivan was a panel van based on the original mini, it might be possible to source one of these vents from a supplier of classic mini parts. Only a few cars had these fitted and I doubt there is a specific ‘correct’ position for its installation. Just put it where it ‘looks right’ based on photos.

 

[Healey Nut]

I would source and get the vent before cutting the top .
I found one of the original style pop up vents on Flea Bay and will use it on my 62 Rally recreation.
I will post a Pic with dimensions later but again I wouldn’t go cutting until you have the exact vent in your possession.

 

[Healey Nut]

Pics attached of the roof vent I found on flea bay .

 

[dougie]

This might help you see the correct positioning on the hardtop itself.

 

[Bundyrum]

Hello Healey Nut,
Thanks for going to the trouble of getting the dimensions of the roof vent for me. I have put that part of the project on hold as I need to sort out where I am going to send the trim pieces to get refurbished.
Hello Dougie,
Thanks also for the photo, I was hoping to get a shot from side on if possible. It's always good to see an ex works car in any setting.
Best regards,
Bundyrum.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Bundyrun--

If your hardtop is factory there are, I believe, furring strips between the headliner and the top to which the liner material and backing, if any, attach. Not only will you have to take them into consideration when locating the vent and its opening but you will have to create similar strips to take up the space between the top and the interior trim ring. Over and beyond this where you mount the vent is your decision.

I am attaching a pic of my car and there is 10" between the outside edge of the ring and the rubber molding for the rear window but the 100 top is several inches shorter than that for the 6-cylinder cars.

 

[John Turney]

Good point Michael. There is a steel frame to hold the headliner. Bundyrum needs to miss the cross pieces. They are at the headliner seams. The vent should go between them. It probably would look best on the inside if it was centered between them. I don’t know if the factory rally cars had headliners, so it may not have been a consideration.

 

[HealeyPassion]

FWIW ... I agree with those that recommended not cutting a hole until you have the roof vent in-hand. Here are a few pics from an original Works Rally car I took in 2003 to help me place my roof vent in my Works Rally Tribute car. Hope this helps.





Happy New Year!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[HealeyPassion]

At the risk of taking this down a Works Roof Vent rat hole... I'll share the following.

Now at the end of the day very few people will care, so let's put this in the category of "no big deal". In fact, maybe there are even alternative opinions on this.

Here goes... when I visited Denis Welsh shop/store back in 2003, they told me that the "original Works vents" did not have the little flange at the bottom of the vent door (pic. 1 & 2). They said the originals just when straight down (pic. 3 & 4). I already had purchased the replica roof vent (pic. 1 & 2)... they had an original ... which I bought (in poor shape which I ended up spending more than the original cost to make right) (pic. 3 & 4). The final pic. 5 is the picture taken of an original Works Rally roof... also taken in 2003 at JME's shop in Leamington Spa (they have since moved).

Now is what DWM guys told me absolutely true? I have no idea. The Works may have used a later style on some of their later cars... I don't know.. I haven't seen them but that doesn't mean they couldn't have.

Pic 1 replica


Pic 2 replica


Pic 3 original


Pic 4 original


Pic 5 original


FWIW...

Cheers,
Steve

 

[HealeyRick]

Seems like it would just be easier to add air conditioning.

 

[John Turney]

Seems like it would just be easier to add air conditioning.

Not easier, but one doesn't have to be as brave.

 

[DerekJ]

I would say DWR are correct. The most obvious difference between the original and the replica is the number of holes for the fixing screws.

 

[HealeyPassion]

I would say DWR are correct. The most obvious difference between the original and the replica is the number of holes for the fixing screws.

I noticed that Healey Nut's find on eBay has the "correct", if that even applies, holes on the inside mounting bracket and different holes on the outside. It has the lip on the vent door similar to the replica that I had bought. I know these were originally sourced from the parts bins of the Mini Vans at the time (Hey, we need a vent in the roof - see what's in the parts bin). But I don't know if the Mini Van roof vents changed over time... seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened. The answer to that would most likely answer the question of what the AH Works roof vents looked like at the end of their run.

Side by side pic of replica (on left) and original (on right).



Cheers,
Steve

 

[Healey Nut]

I noticed that Healey Nut's find on eBay has the "correct", if that even applies, holes on the inside mounting bracket and different holes on the outside. It has the lip on the vent door similar to the replica that I had bought. I know these were originally sourced from the parts bins of the Mini Vans at the time (Hey, we need a vent in the roof - see what's in the parts bin). But I don't know if the Mini Van roof vents changed over time... seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened. The answer to that would most likely answer the question of what the AH Works roof vents looked like at the end of their run.

Side by side pic of replica (on left) and original (on right).

View attachment 66693

Cheers,
Steve

i hadn’t noticed the mounting hole differences on my components. Now the dilemma is do I drill more holes in the inner plate or get my metal guy to fill the excess holes to make it look “ more original” ?

 

[HealeyPassion]

FWIW.... I'd fill the extra holes and use the interior mounting plate.

Steve