Custom Top

Anyone out there have any experience with having a new top made? I was gonna wait on this but something happened that warrants a new top sooner than later. Anyway, I just want to prepare myself for the number that'll hit me as well as any other issues I may need to consider. I'm thinking of having a removable rear window put in as well.
Do other makers tops fit? I mean could I order a top from Carey and just put the snaps in it and connect the header bow? Or is it better to have it done custom?
Thanks

Best to have Cary do it But he will sell you a new top with windows thay you can take to a good local top shop.. There are just not that many of those kinda top shops around any more, its becoming a lost art.

I agree with Barry and will add the caveat that you wait until Carlisle if possible. That way you can look at examples of the top, and Carey can look at your car, and the two of you can determine if a Beck top will fit.

Don't you have an IM? I'm pretty sure that most of the upholstery, carpet and probably even the tops are still available from them (maybe just the patterns - make what's needed).

angela

TOP who needs a top on a speedster if you speed in your speedster you wont get too wet, park under a bridge or a overhang 3/4 inch hole in lowest spot of floor will drain water no problem ! We drive sports cars in these mountains and never use a top

Mickey: I've used Autos International in Escondido for tonneaus and I know they make IM approved tops.

http://www.autosintl.com/

Thanks guys.
As far as me having an IM, it's an older one (1983). My experience so far with getting any info from IM has been they don't have info or records for the older ones so I think I'd run into the same situation with this instance.

Didn't Henry's Dad sell the mold to CMC or something to that affect? I can't imagine the tops are all that different from model to model being that the shape of the cars is pretty consistent.
I was thinking of getting a "raw" top with no header bow and no snaps installed and doing that part myself. Would they be that far off from model to model?

I would think the top from a JPS or Vintage would probably work.
They both have similar frames as the older IMs.

How about this for a nice custom top........

Built in Scotland :)

My guess is that although you can match snaps to current locations, the top itself will be either perfect or more likely baggy or too tight in areas. This would require you to cut or lengthen the top frame bows and probably the side curtains if you have/use them. Might be opportunity to get taller top with more head room and visibility (but less racy look). I suspect starting with a sewn top would be easier to fit than starting with a roll of Hartz Cloth. You have old top for a pattern? If so you could measure others at Carlisle for comparision (should anyone have tops up there - ha, most unlikely right?)

Making a top isn't a big problem. You would need to go to a place that makes them. They would need the old one as a pattern otherwise it will be $$$$$. If they had the old top it would only be a question of how much is this worth. Considering that the new ones cost in the vicinity of $255 for cloth and $380 for Stayfast (Vintage prices). The problem isn't really the pattern but the bow....keep the old bow you will need to use it.

If you were going to have one made why not a nice insulated one.....

just got my top back from upolstery, had the rear window a zipper put in . the zipper is only a few inches wider than the window so it only folds down not out to the side much so it stil has strenght in the bows.also had the flap on the top where the side curtains meet it, we put a v in the curve so it can be tucked up and gives 2 more inches of visibality, without having to move your head down to look out. bill

I'm with Terry- a Vintage top and bow set-up from Kirk will work on pretty much any of these cars. I'd order a stayfast top and be happy.

A 1/2" off in any direction plays havoc with tops and bows, be sure it will work. ~Alan

If you have got caught in the rain you be glad you have a top. Mine is not a perfect one but it,s pretty air tight. in a down poor..

Hey Henry at Im will sell you a top too I have had one of his in hand once during the time when I made mine..

(((Hey He was very good to me))) I would not be afraid to buy one site unsean from him.. If it is one of his cars that's the ticket..