White roof Curiosity ....

The reason for choice of a light coloured roof may have come about due to heat but was primarily down to cost and efficiency.

The original colour was Limestone. This was used on bodies, roofs, side panels and wheels from the early 60's. Panels being painted before assembly, a standard colour saved the need to hold stock of a range of colours. Ultimately Limestone gave way to lighter shades of white which presumably was a more appropriate match for the wider range of new coloured bodies being introduced.

In Australia, presently only the solid colours still get a white roof and unpainted wheel arches whereas the metallics come with a body colour roof and wheel arches. Given the new paintshop I've no idea why the difference although could still be a cost thing. Personally I think the white roof does a great job of keeping the car cooler and is a must have in Queensland.

some interesting resonings...all are credible .... did it come down to certain models or was it just an across the board at a point in time ...because it certainly seems to be a sporadic, one has it and others don't ???...[bighmmm]

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Originally Posted by cucinadio

some interesting resonings...all are credible .... did it come down to certain models or was it just an across the board at a point in time ...because it certainly seems to be a sporadic, one has it and others don't ???...[bighmmm]

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I think there have always been a variety of colours produced in Solihull - but through most of the last sixty years, only a few have been imported here except as special orders. For example, almost all Series 2 88s were Olive Green, and 109s grey all with limestone roofs, although other colours were sold in other countries which only appeared here as special orders or private imports. Since then there has been more variety, but still only a few of the colours made.

John

Theres an article explaining what ones came out with what roofs and why but cant remeber where I read it :( I think it was to do with year model , model in general but I think main one was the country from what I remember !

Less chance of seeing the pigeon poo!

But more chance of seeing it if they've been eating mulberries! :p;)

Years ago when I was still in Zim. I had a Series2 short wheel base, pale yellow with a white roof, but the roof was double panel, open front and back so the wind passed through and even at a stand was real cool, was this standard? just wondering.

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Originally Posted by Davie

Years ago when I was still in Zim. I had a Series2 short wheel base, pale yellow with a white roof, but the roof was double panel, open front and back so the wind passed through and even at a stand was real cool, was this standard? just wondering.

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They were the tropical roof and were available here too.My series 3 stage 1 3.9D had one and yes they were a much cooler vehicle.

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Originally Posted by Disco44

They were the tropical roof and were available here too.My series 3 stage 1 3.9D had one and yes they were a much cooler vehicle.

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Me too but on a series 11A. My first love. Can't recall but I seem to remember some small vents that could open in the main roof to allow air in (whilst under the tropical roof so still weather proof)?

The tropical roof is a great device...pity they dispensed with it in the County/Defender.

In the pursuit of fuel economy I guess it buggered up the aerodynamics ;)