What is rolled Edge?

[cfriedman67]

I am planning on doing the body work myself and have read a lot of the body work threads that people have kindly posted. One term that comes up often that I am not familiar with is a rolled edge? What is it and what edges need to be rolled?

Thanks

[GoDadGo]

The rolled edge that most folks talk about (MK-4 Roadster & 289 FIA) is the rolled edges on the front & rear of the cockpit. The previous series didn't have this feature so it didn't look as nice when the car was complete. Hope this helps.

Check this video out, from 2010, and it will really make you want to place your order sooner than later:

https://youtu.be/6ckgfkPU8Ss

[cfriedman67]

I already have my MK4 and I am currently putting the body, doors, trunk etc... together. I have read about rolled edges on the doors as well? I will check out your link.

[GoDadGo]

I already have my MK4 and I am currently putting the body, doors, trunk etc... together. I have read about rolled edges on the doors as well? I will check out your link.

Glad Your Building Your Deam Car Too!

[Gumball]

As mentioned above, the "rolled edge" refers to how the cockpits of the original cars had the aluminum skin "rolled" around the small diameter tubing that framed the cockpit area - with the skin then being riveted to the tubing. Here's a pic of one of the original cars cockpit edge, including the little stub of tubing that protruded through the top of the instrument panel.....



On the earlier FFR bodies - Mk 1 through 3.1 - the cockpit edge was just a simple ninety degree return. Many of us who built those generations of cars took the time to "roll" the edge of our cockpits to mimic the original cars. Here's a pic of mine, complete with the rivet heads and the little stub tubing (though minus the acorn nuts for the rear view mirror bracket.....

[cfriedman67]

Thanks Chris. Appreciate the pictures and explanation.

[Jeff Kleiner]

With the Mk4 you still have to roll the tops of the doors where the inner and outer panels are bonded then reshape to blend them into the cowl and rear cockpit opening.





Good luck,
Jeff

[cfriedman67]

Thanks for the pictures and explanation. That answers my question regarding some of the other posts that people have written about. Luck, I will need it.

[Gumball]

Another vote for making the doors and cowl transition smooth and rolled.

[AC Bill]

Maybe the later MK4 bodies don't have the issue any longer, but I seem to recall builders mentioning they had some kind of issue with the roll on the cowl. Apparently it interfered with the dash, or dash hoop framing, and actually had to be trimmed back?
You might want to investigate that aspect, while your working in that area..