Hotrod folding top,a how too do it tech

Great thread Dana, thanks for posting it.

 

After reading this awesome thread, I decided to start my own top based on your designs! I made the mounting tabs on the lip of the cab removable, bolting through the square tubing that it's made from. I'm not sure of the right angle for each bow, but I'm thinking 45 degrees for the main, and 90 for the smaller one....making just enough peak for rain runoff. I want it to look kinda like a regular coupe roof , but chopped. It is a coupester, after all!

I was also thinking of mounting a visor to the front wood as well, but I need to mock it up to see how it looks. I'm on the prowl for a good original visor, so let me know if you know of one for sale!







I want to do the sides and windows like the Lieb roadster:

 

You could always extend the header a little more over the windshield to give it a visor effect without it detracting from the top too much. Just remember that a visor acts parachute and catches the air, this is going to want to lift the top up at the header. Be sure your hold downs are secure

 

Would putting louvers in it negate that effect?

 

Nice work

 

The visor lip I made on my own,is out front of windshield frame about 1.25in. an just part of header. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/imag1689-jpg.2659148/

 

looks great folded down

 

totally unrelated but what brand tyres on the front

 

front tires= Cornell 1000 p185/75r14,rears 255/60r15 Super Sports

 

thanx

 

To make windows for early hotrods,the way Ford made them is a good start for ideas. This is how the stock side windows looked. { this is a 30/31A but the set up is the same but just a little smaller for 28/29A} They snapped in place a long with a 1/4in. rod around 3ft. long bent in "L" that was put into a hole at the back top of door ,to hold the window as door opened { the "L" goes up from the top of door an then forword along the top of window almost to the windshield in pocket sewed into window. The rear side window also snapped in place. I was thinking that the rear side could be made as part of the door window,this would make one part vs 2 an speed up putting them on if needed. Keep them behind the back of seat.

 

Unimaginable feat, from 'idea' thru prototype framing, layout...Whew!
Saved a bunch of us lots of work, just comprehending your pre-finished job, with so many photos, sketches, and remarks along the way.

Bit of humor: As I scrolled down hurriedly to see a specific, when I approached #24, I came to the end of a revolution on my mouse wheel...and saw the crane lacing of only your easy-up frame!
I said, "Crap...Dana's strayed WAY off on this one..." then scrolled down to see the roadster.
Good humor for the aged, they understand.

Really impressive, (and I've seen it before...my Dad was an awning man, used a mechanical Singer machine, made all the framework from his drawings, cut and threaded and fitted Galvanized pipe, 1/2" & 3/4".
BIG jobs (dep't stores, commercial buildings triple door types, etc.: 1" Galvanized.)
I was 3 to 9 years old then, remember every step. (I used to pull heavy twine thru a beeswax column prior to ALL the stitching, and there were miles of it weekly...)

But you tackled a 'new' job, with light tubing, Poplar strips, canvas... Very impressive.

 

Just adding an odd idea about a hard vs soft rear window,likely some one has done it before,but seeing some plan metal/chromed license plate frames at the parts stores made me think, with two of them back too back an clear plastic or glass between on rear flap of a top,would give a older style hard rearwindow vs a flexible one, if you like hard one. If one would not be big enough,maybe two end to end, or even three standing up side by side.? Making your own framework can be done or buy them.
Many places have a lot of style's,plan looked best in my eye,kind of like ;http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/v...W9fxFMqBNPMeQfl8Mme1V98TtxLhv7T0uehoC2oPw_wcB

 

Very nice job on your top.Do you have any inside pics of how the bows and header are attached to the top?thanks again.Keith

 

At the start of this tech Post#3 an post#12 have some pic's of what you asked,if they don't cover it well enough,let me know an I'll try an fill in more!

 

I did this back in Jan.2014. Here we are in 2017!
For update,its still holding together,. I have not got around too doing any side windows,I guess its not as needed if there's no snow here in Miami Fla. LOL
Thought I'd ask if any more of you all got some extra ideas to add.?

 

By now{6/2/2018} I had thought I would be writing about replacing this top,but its still working well. It has a few stains from unknown things,but other then that, its good after 4 years. I've not made any side windows,and by now I guess its not on my list anymore. Did give those windows some thinking,just never got around too,buying snaps an more Sunbrela.

 

In case anyone was also thinking about making there own side curtains,I see some ideas in these pic;https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/roadsters-with-side-curtains.1103897/#post-12526176
Talking about making our own side curtains,the names of parts needed can be tricky,to even find those little parts. This site has some pic that make it a bit better.
http://www.restorationspecialties.com/Dot-Fasteners_c_214.html?viewall=1

 

Dana, Well thought out & documented, I'm sure this will be a big help for the guy wanting to make his on top.

BTW, is this a self-portrait ? HRP

 

LOL , Idea's got too start some were,ya,kind of me, in two seconds scribble,I also thought it was funny as well ! May of needed more time to add sunglass's.

 

Very nice, I don't know how I missed this years ago, thanks to those who brought it back up. And Dana for doing it!
Just one thought, my boat top folds down like this and has a "boot" that covers it so it does not blow open when not up. It's just a cover that zippers around the top, the problem is that you would have to store it when the top is up.

 

Years ago,I made 4 ,,of 1in. wide straps with snaps,worked,but replaced those later with 4 Velcro black 2sided strips about 1x12in. long,they rap around the pile fast n EZ,plus store behind my seat. The velcro is not as sexy as the sunbrala was looks wise,but faster an can be any size. The top is still great sun shade an OK for light rain,hard rain I get wet,just not as wet if I had none. This pic shows the 4 velcro in place,holds great at expressway speeds/60/70+. Also in pic is the lugagerack that can be added with two big wingnuts and its custom brackets=this dose fold up like you see,but I use it for the wifes wheelchair,just had not removed it,this time, when made a lunch run.

 

Velco was a good idea

 

ton of good ideas... thanks boys.

 

Not planned really,but I have a few times,when it started to rain,put my top up in under one min. and never got out,at a stoplight =reach back an pull Velco hold down straps off, pull header/top up an on to windshield an spin locks to windshield post in place,all from still sitting in car. Like I said,it was not a plan,but turned out,it can be done.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share this info Dana!

I just made a crude copy of your top for my T-Bucket. Mine has zero sewing in it. I used a couple of belts from WalMart to support the rear bow. At least now I have some shade from the brutal Florida midday sun. I just took it out for a test drive up to 45 MPH. it sort up pushes up a lot from the wind. Hopefully it will be ok up to 55-60 MPH. I had to hustle back home to beat a thunderstorm that was coming in.

Maybe when I have more time I will sew up a nice one like yours.

One little useful tidbit I did figure out- in order to drill screw holes into the electrical conduit and not have your drill bit wander around, I took a short scrap of conduit, cut it in half, and drilled a hole in it. Just clamp that piece to your bow, and drill your hole. It is shown in the last picture.

 

First in paper then in convertible top material

 

Here we are 4/2024,so as check in report;; Too my own stock,my top is still holding up,no rips or tairs yet,after 10 years.
A few dirt stains that seem forever now.
I've been over 65 mph a few times/when I know I should of pulled over,an folded it down=but I did not;risky I think n a bit stupid too;but I got away with. By now ,I had thought in 2014,for sure I would needed to replace it.
Yet its still going. Yes ,I keep it in the garage when not running around,mostly on weekends n mostly under 50 mile trips. So if parked out side,life would be way shorter.