Open question - Does anyone know of a good, detailed source for information on how to build a Carson top? I want to do one and have a few articles from R&C and other magazines, but the detail is a little slim... Any suggestions or anyone in the Chicago area have one I can take a close look at? I'd like to avoid costly mistakes if I can. Thanks!!
Perhaps these drawings from Don Post's Blue Book of Custom Restyling might give you some idears. 50-51 Mercury inside the Carson Top show half way thru the process.
Rik ! Your tremendous work with your site and engagement in traditional kustoms will inspire generations to come. I'm really in to doing a Carson on my new Caddy... Guess I need to get it running first, ha ha... Yer pal
Rikster - Those pics hit the spot. Thanks for the visual, ya know the whole 1000 words routine. __________________________________________________ "One thing I'll say about the ex-wife: She sure taught me how to take a punch."
While this is a pretty good start:Rod & Custom Article As for some detail/how to connect it questions, sawzall helped me out sometime back, I'd PM' him.
LD - Thanks for jarring the memory banks. I have that issue of R&C in my archives - somewhere in the nightmare that is my basement. Damn - this means I'll have to clean... _________________________________ "One thing I'll say about the ex-wife: She sure taught me how to take a punch."
Notexactly but a friend of mine has used concrete reinforcement mesh over a steel frame and covered it with glass mat. Its not that heavy either.
One thing to remember is after you build a frame, tape a bed sheet or something over it so you can really see how the lines are. Seems like you see a lot of bad carsons around, and a bare frame is a lot different than one covered.
Chaz - No, it's not a stupid question. They can be set up to be removable or you can just leave it on all the time. I'm gonna set mine up to be removable so if the weather cooperates I can cruise topless and get a sunburn on my bald head. Chicks dig guys with peeling skulls. No, really they do. _______________________________________ "One thing I'll say about the ex-wife: She sure taught me how to take a punch."
Isn't that only half the job? Reinforcing the body would be my main concern. I like that my doors open. (unless its already a 'Vert) :dunno:
Good point. Sure, you'll have to reinforce the body, but I'd think you'd have to add some kind of bracing to attach the top to anyway. That would have be built into the body to keep everything aligned and tight. I also think the top would add some structural support if it was well thought out, but that would mean keeping it on all the time if you're relying on the new top to replace the original steel unit as a structureal element. X-bracing at the bulkhead behind the rear seat would help as would some extra vertical support at the rear of the door jambs. You'd also have a "U" brace running from door to door under the rear deck area where the top attaches. If all three of those elements were tied together and tied to the body panels with panel adhesive or even spot welds I think you'd get a pretty rigid set up. then if you ran topless you'd be OK. If the chassis is boxed and braced w/ crossmembers like you normally would anyway, that should be enough I'd think. Correct me if I'm wrong. (Geez - that may be a loaded request)
Hey guys , going to do a tech on mine sometime soon which is of course a unibody and started as a moredoor.
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