Custom Converible Top Shops N. CA

Hi All,

Does anyone have a shop in Northern California with someone that can make a convertible top from scratch?

It seems that 99% of the shops just buy tops from one of the "top companies" and then fit them to the car.

My problem is that there is no pattern for my car. Well, that is not exactly true. There is some patterns, however, they are not correct.

So, I need someone to make a pattern and then sew up a top from scratch. It also seems that most shops do not have the correct machines to sew the correct seams on tops for cars from the 1930's and 1940's.

Any leads would be welcome.

Thanks, James

 

What kind of car? Chopped , different bows?. I ask because I do that stuff. I'm in Oregon now but spent many years in business in Modesto. Probably know someone with more info from you. Jack

 

Maybe give Sully's Tops a try, he's in Fresno, 800-451-3998.

 

Hi Jack,

I have a 2nd series 1949 Desoto which is a "true" 1949. The 1948 Models were held over by MOPAR until mid-1949 for some reason.

This car, along with the Chrysler Windsor, was the first year (or 1/2 year really) that MOPAR went from a gl*** rear windows to a plastic one. In addition, the rear window completely zipped out. It used a standard "horse shoe" zipper and also had a second zipper along the bottom.
<O
An other item on these tops was the fact that along the belt from the rear window back, until the belt line started up toward the trunk, the line of the top dropped down a bit. Therefore, the belt line has a step in it and is not a direct curve all the way across the back deck.

The problem I am running into is that most of the manufactures "back in the day" took shortcuts to be compe***ive on price and "streamed lined" the top patterns omitting the original factory details. Now we come ahead to today and no-one seems to have true original pattern hence why I need someone that can do a top from scratch.

I am looking to do a black on black Haartz top as close to the original as we can get. I plan on using this car as a daily driver and never sell it as it is a family car.

Any help would be great. Best, James<O

 

O.K. ,let me do some checking with some friends and suppliers. I'm going to do a 48 town & country for a guy soon. Jack