The glass-top Fords and Mercs were unfortunately ahead of their time. Hopefully you have the interior 'sun shield' to help keep the heat out. These were short-lived as they can be really miserable in a sunny climate, especially if the shield is gone. While initial '54 sales were strong, they fell precipitately after the word got out. Mercury dropped it after only two years (from nearly 10K to less than 2K by '55), and the Ford fared no better, slightly higher numbers in '54/55 with a mere 603 in '56. You might give a thought to applying a reflective mylar coating over the insert. Modern cars have this built into the glass, but you can buy this as fairly easily applied plastic film for not a lot of money. If you're replacing the insert, if you can get a clear one applying it to the inside will make it more durable. Try these guys.... Ford Crown Victoria Roof Tops - Archer Plastics Inc. | Custom Plastic Fabrication Moulding Port Coquitlam They offer different tints, maybe you can get one with the coating built-in. Or install an oversized AC unit... LOL Very cool concept, but the tech just wasn't there yet. The chop looks great!
I do not have the factory sun shield. when the headliner goes in, I will have one made. I have reached out to that company and did not get a response. I have also reached out to many tint shops in my area to have the top tinted with uv blocker. all of them declined saying it had too much crown. now that the top is loose, I plan on taking it into a few to see what they say. I have definent concerns about getting roasted out of the car. if I don't find the factory piece that is the next plan. thank you.
Many years ago my aunt had a '54 Ford with the the glass top. She ended up painting that piece with house paint with a brush because of the heat. Dave
Well, there's still the industrial-sized AC solution... I'm sure by now that the original plastic insert has some serious weather-checking going on. But if the link to those Canadians isn't responding I wouldn't give up just yet. I would try calling their phone number before giving up. As an alternative, check around for an architectural plastics or RV/Boat supplier for someone who could form a new one. A skylight supplier should be able to do this. You've got the old one that you could pull a forming buck off of (some plaster of paris with some cloth mesh/wood reinforcement so it can be handled without breaking), you just need somebody with a big enough oven to heat the plastic then trim it to size. And it may be possible to apply the UV film to the flat piece then form both together. There are still a few guys getting bubble tops for customs made, somebody is doing this.
I am fairly positive I can polish the insert I currently have and I also think I will be able to find someone to put uv film on it now that it is loose. I have heard the repop is around 1500 and I don't really want to spend that currently.
This puppy oughta keep it cool! 5000 BTU. Just have to find a window that you don't want and pop it in. Put a generator in the trunk to run it. VIOLA! Problem solved. In reality those were an issue that the technology of the day was not ready for. Beautiful cars and your chop is just subtle enough to make the car.
Yeah, $1500 is a bit stiff on the price IMO. I still think if you did your own forming buck and trimming of the formed piece you could cut the price down a bunch...
And if you do decide to just repolish you what have, I'll recommend Meguiers Plastic Polish with a lo-speed buffer (under 1K RPM) with a microfiber buff.
@glendale There's a Tap Plastic store in Sacramento, they show a 50"x98"x.025" clear sheet (enough to make two inserts) for only $170 and they may even be able to point you in the right direction for actual fabbing of it... Putting a UV film over the existing tinted insert will cut the light transmission through it even more, kind of negating the reason for having the glass top.
Love the car had the cousin to your car a rare 53 50th anniversary addition Victoria they were painted pink with a white top and pink black and white interior with the 50th badges mine had factory spotlights only selected dealers got the car it got stolen off our farm in the late 80s.
I am going to start by polishing what I have and uv tinting it. this car is for sure getting a/c I retire in a few years and want to drive this car all over the country. i will rewire and install a/c next winter budget is a little exhausted currently.
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