If my other post doesn't turn up much, I may seriously look into this. I was thinking of making ( or having it made ) a removable hardtop for my convertible. I think it would be cool to have. It would be great to have it for when it pouring rain ( like right now ) and cold. What do you guys think?

 

sounds like a pretty good idea, but what about storage? You're not always going to be at home in order to store the hardtop in the garage or something. And i just don't see a hardtop being that big fitting into our trunks, but that would be kind of cool

 

What actually might work would be to get a hardtop car & get the shape from it, then make the back glass.

your thinking like the Cadillac Alante...

John

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G O D BLESS AMERICA

http://www.3rdgenformula.com
87 Formula 5.1 TPI Auto Modified (Yellow/Black)

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14.8sec 1967 Buick Riviera
1990 Buick Riviera (driver)
83 Camaro
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I think the idea would be cool. You wouldn't need to store it in car, just when it is rainy and nasty out. Put it on the car in the winter and then come summer when you start wanting to take the top off you switch back to the cloth top.
It might look a little funky, though, being it would have to match the shape of the convertible top not a stardard t-top/hard top model.
I'd like to see pics.

 

Glad everybody else thinks its cool . I would love it if somebody would post some pics of a notchback Firebird since a regular hardtop is not even close. I plan to make the top the same size and shape as the convertible, just smoother ( no bows ) and with a glass back window. If am goin' to the trouble to make one, it will be really nice with a headliner and insulation and all that good stuff. It would be great if I could make it out of fiberglass, but making a mold will be a serious PITA.

 

You could make the back glass from Plexiglas, for weight...

Use a standard headliner,

What might really throw people for a loop is to fit one to use with T-tops.

John

[This message has been edited by okfoz (edited December 07, 2001).]

 

you could feasably take a hard top car, cut the top off, & weld/manufacture a way to mount to your car with the top down.

 

How would the rear window work with that setup? It would also weight a ton, much easier and convient to use fiberglass and make a totally new top.

 

Ok I've thought about this some more and heres the plan. The top won't look like the regular hardtops because the size would look really wierd. I want it to look like the covertible top up just smoother and red. I think the notchback Firebirds would be a close match but I have never seen pics ( if you have some please post em' ). However since they are so rare I can rule out finding one to make a mold from its roof. So heres the tough part, making a mold from scratch. The top will be fiberglass with a light aluminum frame for a little more strength as well something to attach everything to. The back window will be glass, I plan to just look around in the junkyards for something close and just use that. The top will have insulation and a headliner to make it really nice. Plus it will use the hardtop weatherstrip around the side windows since it is easier to find and cheaper. I'm not sure how it will latch down but it will latch in the factory vert locations. I really like this idea because when it is on the top will still be tucked away in its well waiting for nicer weather. Then I will be able to just store the top in my garage and enjoy the nice weather not having had to endure a winter of fighting the rain leaks every week.

 

making a removable hard-top for our cars would great. i figured someone would have made one and i have not been able to fnd one. My dad has one for his corvette and it works good. i might be able to make a mold for it but to actually fiber glass i dont think i could do... if there are eough people to want this item i might spend the time to figure out a mold.

 

A lot of customs with removable tops have them covered in padded cloth. This would also save a lot of body work making the fiberglass mirror smooth, and give the benefit of still looking like a convertible. Plan to spend thousands if you have to have a painted finish that looks perfect.

As to storage, many people with removable hardtops that I know use a chain hoist mounted to the garage ceiling, with soft straps for holding the roof. Attach the straps, raise the hoist, and away you go topless.

This is a great idea, and I suggest that you find a shop in your area that specializes in building customs (commonly 48-50 Mercs for those who don't know). Good luck

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IROCnRoll.com
'86 Camaro Sport Coupe and '88 IROC

 

This item is one of several I plan to eventually build and sell. But it is too soon both time-wise and financially to look at doing it. I have many other items I am concentrating on doing first to build up my business. But I suppose I can share my thoughts on this subject. My thought is to keep the existing roof profile (I love the fall off of the roof of the 'vert instead of the sloping shape of the coupe's hatch glass). First I need to find an existing automobile rear window with a similar shape. If anyone has suggestions as to a specific car make, model and year I'd appreciate it. Some of you may work in the auto glass industry and know this already, which would help to expedite the project. Once that is determined, I will design the top and create a mold, (likely of wood and plywood). I need to do a lot of reasearch into this project, considering I have limited fiberglass experience to date. What experience I have is in repair and minor modification use. No experience to date in a full blown mold construction or spraying in the gel coat, etc. Continuing with some preliminary design details: Side seals will be modifed the stock coupe pieces. Latching in front will have the same type as the convertible. Unfortunately this means tooling up for two different latch types. The rear will have a single post to hold it down, just as the 'vert top. A wiring kit will be included to hook up to the interior dome light (from a coupe F-Body). Options will be insulated top vs. stock carpeted. Also an optional rear window defroster along with the wiring kit to install it. I just thought I'd take a moment to share my future plans. Lon

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90 RS Convertible
Owner: Top-Down Solutions
PO Box 5601
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[This message has been edited by lonsal (edited December 13, 2001).]

 

You might want to consider looking at the C4 (84-96) Corvette convertable hard tops. They mirror the shape of the soft-top and have a rear glass window.

-Matt

 

Hey lonsal, to bad you live in CA. Your hardtop idea sounds just like mine except a bit more creative with options. Since I really don't have the time or the space to start cranking these out ( just a college kid ) I don't intend to make anymore than the one for me. But I will let you know of anything I find out if I manage to build mine first ( but I doubt it ). It would be great if anyone who wanted these could get them.

 

Just saw a pic of a notchback GTA. The hardtop cars are a very close match if the hatch opening is smoothed over to make a notchback, like the factory did with a special hatch. Their is no way I am goin' to the trouble of makin' a new fiberglass top now. I am going to the junkyard armed with a Sawzall and I'm goin' to lop the top off of another Camaro. I am will then remove some of the bracing to lighten it a little, and use fiberglass to make a plug that holds a back window in. It will still take some work for it to fit perfectly. But the hard part is done. The top will weigh more, but thats not the end of the world. It would be real great if somebody knew of some latches that would work since the chances of finding a 'vert in the junkyard to plunder is slim.

 

This intrigues me. Anyone have any new ideas?

 

as far as storage for a hardtop,,,,,,check out jeep companies,,,,they have lots of winches for hardtops (jeeps) and racks with casters for upright storage,,,,,,i realize this is putting the cart before the horse,,,but wanted to give ya the info,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,check out a jeep hardtop sometime,,,doesnt get more bare bones dinosaur construction than that

 

how about accualy cutting camaro top off of a donor car then possibly a new notch back and just cutting the rear window enclosment off and attatching it to the top, all the other mechanics of holding it down could be hard, my dad has a caddilac allante the rear is held down by two motors that grab hooks on the top, when he stores the top its just on some sort of lift in the garage so its easy on and easy off ( when your in the garage!) the front hooks for the top could just be used then.......... all in all it sounds expensive though

 

Fitting a hatchback-style top on it would look hideous to me. I really like the look of the trunk/coupe. I'd like to follow the softtop lines directly...

 

dude ian, you're robbing the casket here...

i have seen a few posts about this over the last 2-3 years. i remember somone had talks of a group buy a while back but the company that was going to make them gave an estimate of $1,400. and everyone bailed.

i think it would be realy cool. it's the only way i would ever consider buying a vert.

 

Well ya know...

I just keep thinking about this. I dislike the gap I have at the rear of the door plus my rear window is starting to leak. I need a new top (with a glas rear window and defroster) but I'd like to get something like this done for next winter...

 

I think we need a photochop...

 

Chevyken posted a basic one in another thread that I was reading after resurecting this one...

 

Would incorperating a notchback look good with this?