Hot Rods Hallock Soft tops?

I have a Sellers Equipped for my 29A roadster and am wondering if anyone has built a convertible top for a Hallock-style windshield? I don't know that I've ever seen one. I'd sure like for someone to prove me wrong. Pics are most appreciated.

 

The challange will be to keep it functional (headroom) and keep the proportions right. Have somebody take a side shot of the car with you sitting in it, print it out on a big piece of paper and draw the lines of the top. If it looks ok then I don't see a reason why it couldn't be done.

 

I saw a '29 roadster up in South San Fran a couple of months back that had an interesting top. Instead of fastening the bottom rear of the top to the stock wooden tack strip, he built a lower frame work that extended this line back toward the deck lid. It allowed him to rake the rear panel/rear window area of the top forward, which flowed nicely with the rake of the windshield. Unless you're sitting on your floorboards, it's hard to get any rake to the back of your top using that stock tack strip.

 

Rolling Bones did one last year on the 29 they built.

 

Thanks, Cshabang. Went to their site but did not find it. They sure build some nice cars, though.

 

Did an internet search for Rolling Bones 1929 roadster and this one came up. I assume this is the one you're referring too, Cshabang? Pretty cool.

 

That is on the money. I am amazed at how those guys "Nail" it every time. I know opinions are like assholes, we all have them and they usually stink, but for me every ride they turn out is spot on.....

 

That is really hard to make look cool. Kinda looks like they ran into a bar or something and pushed the top up.

 

thats the one... Im kinda biased a bit to their cars haha...I agree, its hard to make them look just right...I have one as well for a future project, but I will most likely never run a top...

 

The RB example is the proof that it is very hard to pull off and get the proportions right. If somebody can do it its the RB crew, but there's just something slightly off...

 

I agree, swissmike. Not off by much but just off nonetheless.

 

my opinion, it ruins the car. without the top its good. the top is ugly from every angle. the v'd header looks like a trucker hat and the back is way too tall, huh? scares me from ever trying on mine.

 

i can't recall another hallock with a top. maybe that's why. anybody know of others? my dad just got his bop top for his deuce yesterday. making me wish i had the option. i asked sid shavers if he's made one and he smirked and said no. left me wondering.

 

I'm fully prepared to never see one or attempt one. And I'm not stupid or ambitious enuf to think I'd somehow get it right.

 

Tops don't work with a hallock. Pictures prove that.

 

can someone photoshop me one?

edit: that looks good

 

I'm running a hallock on my roadster pickup and i too had pondered the idea of a top, I think that if you made a header bow that caps the top of the glass and fastens down to the 3-posts of the windshield frame then it would work pretty nice, have hooks on the posts and a ratchet-type mechanism on the header bow, the only thing is if it's a folding top you have to consider the v how it will fit behind you when it folds, header bow could maybe be a two-piece design that has a hinge in the middle allowing it to be straight when folded back... good luck! a carson-style removable padded top is probably the easier way to go!
Nice roadster!

 

Here's a roadster I saw last month at the Rodeo Car Show and Chili Cook Off. The owner said it was time consuming to put the top on.

 

Making it isn't the prob. Looking good is the challenge. They all look too puffy

 

that top makes those cars look like an baby Auburn.

 

The Hallock top's header makes it look comical...like "Suzie, the little Blue Coupe".

 

And, taking the puffy out really hurts the head room and visibility.

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The seating position is too high. Lower the seat. Then you can lower the top, that will take out the puffy and help with the visibility. The top of the seat bottom will have to be below the top of the frame rails, unless the driver is real short!

 

I was ok (not in love with it, but ok) with the RB version, but thats HIDEOUS. Sorry, gotta call a spade a spade.

 

A couple of ideas to consider, if I may. No, I've never made a top, just brain storming, Gary

- fab a conventional style top where the center of the front edge of the top overhangs the center post of the V'd windshield an inch or so. Then make the side frames extend forward, over the tops of both side posts so that they are nearly, but a little short of, alligning with the peak in the center of the top. Depending on how much the side irons stick out ahead of the side pillars, the header on the rag top would have less of a V than the windshield frame. This mild V it would create mini-sunshades at the edges of the windshield, too and perhaps better direct the air sideways rather than over the roof.

- or, make the same style top as above but make the top's header overlap the windshield frame 2-3 inches evenly, creating a V shaped header that overhangs the glass evenly.

 

This is a top that I made to go with a windshield that I also made. The structure of the top is all wood, with the bows being bent laminations (oak) and between the bows are strips of maple similar to the roofs on old woodies. It's all varnished like a woodie. I have about 1/2" of headroom inside. It's definitely cozy. Driving with the rear window removed makes it feel more roomy, makes a wonderful breeze blow through the car and greatly improves rear visibility.

 

rear view

 

oh .. i love it !

 

I don't see this challenge as easy..

 

X2. Maybe a non-folding top. Say a removable hardtop. It could be made out of fiberglass or metal. If stainless were possible it would make for an interesting solution.