For some reason faux convertible roofs are appealing. Today I learned that the 1963 AMC Rambler American 440-H has a faux convertible roof. You know, a steel roof that has convertible creases in it. I know that Chevy IIs have at least one crease, and Impalas, too. List and post a picture of cars that came with a convertible crease. And try to explain why they look cool.
At the risk of sounding like a smart-ass, they look cool because they are. To those who think they look cool. I'm one of those who think they look cool because I like the line of a convertible roof, so that same roof line on a hardtop looks good to me. Me and my '62 Impala...
Having my fiberglass roof covered so that it looks like a real foldable covert top. But to go down it needs to be lifted off. I just like the look of a convertible over a coupe.
Thanks for the memories. Totally forgot how many cars back then had the fake convertible tops. Just came across one on a Chevy II.
It was a styling choice. Get the look of a convertible without the hassle of a fabric top. Safer as the top was stronger, and cheaper to manufacture as it didn't have to have all the extra structure that a car without a top needs to remain stiff. Tops have come a long way since then! Most new convertibles have folding hard top. but even the canvas/vinyl tops are thicker and better insulated, and seal better. Less outside noise and wind noise compared to a 50s and 60s top.
A Carson top is a padded removable top that looks like a convertible. You might research that. Used a lot in the late 30s through the 50s. See https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/padded-top-carson-top-build-photos.528022/. The last post shows some construction details.
I like the tops as well until they are put on the wrong car. this is a convertible from Florida, the man who owned it at the time got tired of replacing the convertible top so he had a early 60's impala top put on it. it's a good job, but doesn't look good to me. I thought I had a better pic.
My mom thought they were cool, so she bought one with her teacher's salary. I'm the short guy next to her.
Hello, The early photos of the roadster pick up show a puffy style of hard top. That look is fine, due to the available option of taking it off when one wants to enjoy driving around in an open air roadster/RPU. Unless, of course, you are making a one-of-a-kind show car. A long time ago, I wrote and took photos of the process and creation of the “California Top.” It was a replacement for the folding top normally seen on a Phaeton. Big Hearted Ken from Goleta was responsible for the idea and build. With the bulky mess no longer sitting in the back when open air cruising is needed, it looks like it is/was a factory option. A smaller measurement to fit any roadster or RPU would be done to match the smaller space. The California Top is a different look at the bulky Carson Custom Car Top. It looked great on a 1934 Phaeton and did the similar job as a Phaeton top, but with some rigidity, lightweight enough to take off for some open air cruising. In the full size Phaeton, there was no buffering or air battering the canvas material, normally associated with a canvas folding top while moving, so there is that. Jnaki If you decide to make a smaller version for an Roadster/RPU, it would probably be light enough for a single person to move it off of the installation. We picked up the larger Phaeton unit and it was amazingly light weight, but of course, a lot longer. Https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/friday-art-show-5-6-22.1263314/#post-14473448 When the idea of a hand-made custom top was created for a 1934 Ford Phaeton, the design suddenly took front and center. It was light enough for two people to clip it on and install/remove the California Top. So, it was not that much different than a manual fold top that just sat on the rear area. It was a lot cleaner in design and function. These are some older original color slides from a mystery box left at the bottom of a file box we cleaned out of an office collection box. (Not Kodak Ektachrome slides... those went to the owner and editors.) I was looking at some old films still on metal reels and actually trying to find the missing films of our 1940 Willys Coupe 671 SBC version I took in 1960. My brother’s sons have no idea that their dad used to be a top drag racer and innovative hot rod builder. They knew of him as a fast 1000cc modified street bike guy in full leathers and a guy who could fix any family car in need. These were from an original photo shoot back a long time ago in Goleta, Ca. From the back of an El Camino with my wife driving and me shooting was an experimental way to get some clear action shots with the background slightly blurry, but the Phaeton in focus. In looking at the style of the solid top, it provides better coverage, no noise in cruising, no flapping of canvas and light enough to take it off for the So Cal sunshine days. The chopped top cars are a personal choice. But, a design to make it look as if it is a lower top height added to a cool style of hot rod just adds to the mystique and overall stance. If one cannot stand the lowered top as if it is a “jolly green giant” is stepping on top while you sit or drive, then a lowered top is not for you. 1934 Ford Phaeton with a California Top... The solid top is lightweight enough for two to add or remove. There is no noise as with a convertible top up flapping in the wind while driving. The solid top allows for custom side curtains or solid clear panels to be added later if necessary. Those, also will not flap around at speed. So, this custom design created in Goleta, CA was a first and only… It may have been the yellow vs black top that swayed me in the later 46 ford convertible hot rod. But, the bright yellow convertible had all of the impetus to have a solid black top for a low slung Carson Style top along with the other custom items on the hot rod. Jnaki The owners of yellow Ford Convertible hot rod are enjoying the coastal cruising areas as much as anyone else. But, “it’s getting warm, let’s see those convertibles” as per popular HAMB thread… the latest artwork … or if one likes the darker colors...YRMV
While I really like the faux-vert metal top, & I'd rather have that than a std steel coupe top, my preference is still a convert top that folds, if it's gonna look like one, may as well be one. Not much like a top-down. . Well, except in a Minnesota winter... Marcus...
Here's one. My Buddy built this one out of a 5 window using Roadster parts. Roadster cowl, Roadster doors, and Roadster rear upper panel. The top doesn't go down, but apparently with the addition of some more snaps it would. He just sold it last year after owning it since 1996. https://classiccars.com/listings/vi...roadster-for-sale-in-concord-california-94520
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