Leave it Topless or Put it back stock ???

1950 Chevy Hardtop
Just a simple survey
The previous owner thought it
would look better as a convertible.
Just looking for opinions on what
YOU
would do ??
Leave it a "Sorta Convert"
OR
Put the top back on it
(I acquired a good top from another party)​

 

Leave it AS IS !!!....Way too cool !!!

 

put it back on after removing a few inches!!!

 

Make it a functional convertible like bob on the hamb did! I think those are good looking cars as convertibles

 

slight chop with carson top?

 

build a carson top, best of both worlds!

 

Chopped windshield with one-piece wraparounds in the doors plus a tonneau cover that flares around the front seat ala T-Bird Sport Roadster?

 

leave as is, upgrade suspension and lower it, make sure drivetrain & electrical is in good condition, add wide whites (not with mint perfect surface) and caps and go.

 

I second the Carson idea...Maybe add some caddy quarters

 

I think it looks pretty good. I'd be inclined to go Carson top and make 'her pretty, but to me It sounds like you are wanting a hardtop. Ask yourself WHY you want a hardtop.. is it to make it original again and maybe get more value from it when you sell? Then yes.. weld it up. If you just want to enjoy the car and have fun.. I'd leave it or put together a removable top... though I hear there are some folks who don't like open cars... that may be a folk tale though...

 

I'd chop it a bit an build a solid Carson style top that worked with the hardtop side windows. Most guys with Carson tops never pull the top off once it's on so why not just build it into the car to begin with?

 

drive that sucker

 

If I had that car with a Carson top, I would have it on and off depending on weather conditions. I'd leave it the way it is and build a Carson top and then engineer a pulley system in the garage to make it easy to remove and reinstall. BUT, that's just my .02 cents.

 

Take your time and build a Carson top for it.

 

very interesting to see where this is going, i hope a few more
chime in with their opinions...

re: Carson top

has there been a thread showing how to build one ??????

thanks for your time folks, i appreciate the input....

 

My vote is going with the Carson top as well . The only problem I see would be driving it where you live at . I am sure the car season is very short since you live in a very cold climate area . I would make sure to have a damn good working heater in the car !
Good Luck with your build !

Retro Jim

 

was the body braced properly so the doors open and shut well? if so chop the windshield a couple of inches and build a carson top as has been already recommended.

 

Factory 49-54 Chevy convertibles have a big heavy duty X-brace through the middle of the frame - actually, this month's Car Kulture Deluxe has a couple of tiny, but decent photos on page 26 showing the difference. Without it, the car is not going to be very stable, it will flex on bumps and things and you'll never keep the door alignment right.

I'm pretty sure the regular hardtops don't have that brace, my one buddy has a frame we know came out from under a '50 Hardtop (I tried to get the roof but had no luck) and it's just a regular frame with the usual K-brace at the cowl.

 

x 2

 

Leaving it as drop top when it should be a Hard Top is like going on a date and she is wearing falsies ............

 

swap on a late model steel foldable convertible top. Yeah, I know that's probably the most work.

 

Slight chop carson top all the way!

 

I agree with young'n'poor, make it a true convert' if you can find the parts......

 

x2!

 

You live in Minesota, cold winters and not much cruising time for a vert correct? So chop the new top and put it on.

My2sense

 

I actually did a 41 coupe of mine years backand made a top using a stock covert top on a hand built frame that was chopped 3" =I was able to fit it to the chopped frame I made with some pull and adjusting and it looked great.....
It looked so much better than the overstuffed Carson tops did ,sorry but they rarely looked really good.....
on a down note I admit I hardly ever took it off and ran topless as it was a hassle to store when not in use.....

 

Your from Minnesota.............your gonna get cold this winter

 

Carson

 

Leave it topless! Looks great, but like someone else said if you can get your hands on a true convertable top and frame id go that route being in a colder climate so you could get as much use out of it as possible.

 

Blow a bubble top. You will rule.