Having gotten the windshield successfully sunken into the cowl, I can now get the top out and trimmed to match the new profile. It's the original roof, made removable, via convertible latches at the w/s header and hood latches in the quarters. James D here very kindly did a couple quickie photo shop profiles for me (pics are not of my car, but you get the idea), one with the original rear window laid forward, the other using a rear window more the style of the earlier two p***enger 'Birds. I hadn't considered changing the rear window, and initally dismissed it, but it's sort of growing on me. What do some of you guys think? Ultimately, of course, it won't matter () but I'd like to hear before the cut off tool comes out! Early style rear window... '59 window laid forward... LOL, of course, I entered the same photo twice. Here's the late window style...
Other ideas welcome too. Starliner roof, '62 Impala 2door hardtop roof, '63 Caddy 2 door roof, etc, etc...
I agree. Try photoshopping that caddy roof on. the round top with the boxed bottem will either work, or...
One thing I thought of when photoshopping this thing - with the earlier style top, will you be able to have the rounded corners that this roof has? It looked to me like there might be a problem with the way it overlaps your rear "deck panel" (the panel with the headrests that covers your roof). Just a thought.
Id like to see one of these with a starliner roof or any kind of bubble top ive never seen that on one of these before
I'm not going to (and it doesn't look like your photoshop pics do) change the "footprint" of the top where it rests on the body. The tonneau covers headrest fairings taper in towards the center, they're "V" shaped, and end several inches forward of the end of the panel, so they wouldn't interfere with a more forward canted rear window. Doesn't look look like the "corners" of the top in your artwork would cut in far enough to not be workable. Thanks for the thought you've put into this! Brian
I'm getting ready start in on the T'Bird project now that the "Milusion" is out of the garage. Having some artwork done as inspiration, and we've got some rough sketches. I'm leaning towards a total redo of the rear of the top, maybe an early '60's Caddy or Buick rear section? Take a look:
maybe an olds roof? 60-61? or starliner. but the starliner better be rough enough to cut the top off! cole fosters starliner was rad!
I posted in the cl***ifieds for an early '60's GM 4 door hardtop roof, w/s posts to C pillars with gl***. We'll see what turns up. Some guy on here just whacked the roof of a '64 Buick 4dr, but it's a sedan. And it's in Kansas. 2 strikes!
This a 62 but it has a Starliner top. I would just start sketching over some side views and let the flow of the car start telling you what it should be. Think like a Ford designer of that era and see what you come up with. Then start shopping for a top that is the best match. I hope that make some sense.
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