There is a manufacture overseas that has a top that would require some modifications. www.banmoco.co.uk
The rear glass is from an UK built Ford- Puma which looks like the new US built escort. The manufacturer informed me that is 3-4 inches longer for the CMC. Since it is fiberglass thats no issue. The top is roughly $700 though shipping would add the the dollar figure. I plan on purchasing one next year.
Joe
Jeepers Joe, nice top!
Larry:
Your top looks quite similar to the one Joe found in the UK (post above) and they both have about the look that I want (in both soft and hard tops).
If you get a production strategy worked out, then contact me, as I'll be interested. Even if it was a "kit" version that required some finish work by me to get the final fit and rear window in would be OK.
Looking at Joe's post, though, it might be an interesting exercise to wander through some local junk yards and find some potential rear windows that might already be curved and would fit the space (or the space could be sized to fit a particular rear window).
gn
Your top looks quite similar to the one Joe found in the UK (post above) and they both have about the look that I want (in both soft and hard tops).
If you get a production strategy worked out, then contact me, as I'll be interested. Even if it was a "kit" version that required some finish work by me to get the final fit and rear window in would be OK.
Looking at Joe's post, though, it might be an interesting exercise to wander through some local junk yards and find some potential rear windows that might already be curved and would fit the space (or the space could be sized to fit a particular rear window).
gn
Joe,
How recent is your enquiry to Banham?
The company sold out to rally sport replicas (www.rallysportreplicas.co.uk) a while ago who dropped the new speedster model because of "fundamental problems with the design which can only be resolved by a radical rethink". And if you drop me an email i'll tell you why that doesn't surprise me having built a banham spyder kit previously....
On the bright side, that may mean they have a roof mould they don't really want though it is unlikely that the new speedster shape is particular close to a regular rear engined replica so it may need a great deal of modification...
I don't want to put you off your idea but once bitten, twice shy!
Simon
How recent is your enquiry to Banham?
The company sold out to rally sport replicas (www.rallysportreplicas.co.uk) a while ago who dropped the new speedster model because of "fundamental problems with the design which can only be resolved by a radical rethink". And if you drop me an email i'll tell you why that doesn't surprise me having built a banham spyder kit previously....
On the bright side, that may mean they have a roof mould they don't really want though it is unlikely that the new speedster shape is particular close to a regular rear engined replica so it may need a great deal of modification...
I don't want to put you off your idea but once bitten, twice shy!
Simon
Simon here's a copy of Paul's note :
SWed, 24 Mar 2004 18:12:30 +0000
Thanks Joe. That hardtop really is a super item! You might find that
it's a little too long to drop straight onto your car, maybe by three or
four inches, although with some alteration (at your end) it ought to be
made to fit. The rear glass is extra, it's from a Ford Puma (current
model), don't know offhand if that Ford model is sold by Ford in the US
under that particular model name or not, but if you check out some
pictures on the web, you'll soon spot exactly what it is. Yes, we can
ship to the US. Preferably, without the glass!!!
Regards,
Paul Banham Conversions
With the top being constructed of fiberglass, modifications are a piece of cake. The other option is making a poly foam core shape and laminating it with glass and epoxy. Once the shape it glassed on the exterior the interior is shaved down to an approriate thickness and then glass over.Now you have my brain workin on building a top .
SWed, 24 Mar 2004 18:12:30 +0000
Thanks Joe. That hardtop really is a super item! You might find that
it's a little too long to drop straight onto your car, maybe by three or
four inches, although with some alteration (at your end) it ought to be
made to fit. The rear glass is extra, it's from a Ford Puma (current
model), don't know offhand if that Ford model is sold by Ford in the US
under that particular model name or not, but if you check out some
pictures on the web, you'll soon spot exactly what it is. Yes, we can
ship to the US. Preferably, without the glass!!!
Regards,
Paul Banham Conversions
With the top being constructed of fiberglass, modifications are a piece of cake. The other option is making a poly foam core shape and laminating it with glass and epoxy. Once the shape it glassed on the exterior the interior is shaved down to an approriate thickness and then glass over.Now you have my brain workin on building a top .
Joe,
The plot thickens!
The range of kits were bought from banham by rsr earlier this year - though it seems that the new speedster may have been sold twice judging by this information on rsr's website!
"We are also in dispute with a company who set up a website to market the ex-Banham New Speedster which formed part of our deal with Paul Banham Conversions and was featured on our website prior to this dispute. They have informed us that they have a receipt from Paul Banham for the moulds."
I've discovered that this other company has a website www.356sports.co.uk and is selling hardtops alongside kits.
"We are delighted to announce that 356 Sports having purchased all original moulds and jigs for the New Speedster from Paul Banham, are now exclusively manufacturing the New Speedster project.
It is worthy of note that we are in no way connected to the current dispute between Rally Sport Replicas and Paul Banham Conversions nor has our purchase arisen from the current dispute"
The plot thickens!
The range of kits were bought from banham by rsr earlier this year - though it seems that the new speedster may have been sold twice judging by this information on rsr's website!
"We are also in dispute with a company who set up a website to market the ex-Banham New Speedster which formed part of our deal with Paul Banham Conversions and was featured on our website prior to this dispute. They have informed us that they have a receipt from Paul Banham for the moulds."
I've discovered that this other company has a website www.356sports.co.uk and is selling hardtops alongside kits.
"We are delighted to announce that 356 Sports having purchased all original moulds and jigs for the New Speedster from Paul Banham, are now exclusively manufacturing the New Speedster project.
It is worthy of note that we are in no way connected to the current dispute between Rally Sport Replicas and Paul Banham Conversions nor has our purchase arisen from the current dispute"
Larry,
Your top is killer! That would look awesome on a speedster. Once you are in production, I would be interested in purchasing a top. I would put one of those mail slot type windows in the rear for a custom lead sled look. Great job.
Your top is killer! That would look awesome on a speedster. Once you are in production, I would be interested in purchasing a top. I would put one of those mail slot type windows in the rear for a custom lead sled look. Great job.
After doing a little search , I have found a company that makes tops for Vette's MGB, and TR6's. I have recieved a reply after emailing them that since there is not a great interest in the top they will not make them. If everyone shows an interest you would most likely see a 356 top. Check out www.smoothline.com. Send them an email showing the interest.
I just put the hardtop back on for the winter and took a quick picture.
seems like fibersteel has tops already, anyone check them out?
Is there an echo in here?
I suppose I should have added lately to my last post,that way no one would be confused
I've emailed the seller of the speedster that's on ebay and has the Carson styled removable hard top ebay item 4500581100 I asked for pricing and availability.
It would be a great start for a hard top that many of us here are in search of.
It would be a great start for a hard top that many of us here are in search of.
Sorry, but I just don't understand all the interest in hard tops for Speedsters - IMO they make the cars look squat and ugly.
It's all in personal preferences. Some like a taller style convertible top and others go for the low line look .
Others like the Speedster bubble hard top look and as mentioned above, some like the low contour lines of this Carson styled top.
Others like the Speedster bubble hard top look and as mentioned above, some like the low contour lines of this Carson styled top.
I got an email reply from the seller "AZ Specialties" re: the black custom street rod styled speedster that was on ebay and now relisted .
I asked about the pricing for the The "Carson" styled hard top that is suppose to have been built by the Boyds gang .....
Geesh only $6,800!
I asked about the pricing for the The "Carson" styled hard top that is suppose to have been built by the Boyds gang .....
Geesh only $6,800!
Henry will do it for around 2500 sound like a good deal now doesnt it???
The guy on the East Coast who was talking about developing hardtops has changed his mind. Too bad, he would have done a great job. I hope others who expressed an interest are proceeding.
This thread is nearly 2 years old. I was wondering if there is any news on the hardtop situation. Have any of the prototypes or manufacturers come onto the market? The UK (www.banmoco.co.uk) URL seems to be dead. Sure seems like there is a lot of interest (or was) in a hardtop for seasonal use. Anybody have any insight?
I don't see the real problem other than a design that allows for a slight forward and aft windshield mounting position i.e forward lip utilizing the same style of windshield bow clips that are on the vert top bows.
On the rear base, a soft rubber gasket to take up for slight variables on the bodies.
Latched at two points using the same female threaded fastener positions that the metal bows pivot on, two additional clasps mounted along the rearward compartment edge or centering pins.
This thread being alive at two years old suggests that there would be a decent amount of interest if, the price were within reason .
Some one needs to do a mold off a tight and even convertible top, locate a willing camper top - boat manufacure that can turn these out.
On the rear base, a soft rubber gasket to take up for slight variables on the bodies.
Latched at two points using the same female threaded fastener positions that the metal bows pivot on, two additional clasps mounted along the rearward compartment edge or centering pins.
This thread being alive at two years old suggests that there would be a decent amount of interest if, the price were within reason .
Some one needs to do a mold off a tight and even convertible top, locate a willing camper top - boat manufacure that can turn these out.
Here ya go
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=333502
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=333502
$795 doesn't sound bad --- anyone ever checked Rusty Buckets out in Atl, GA?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=333502
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=333502
Yuu mean Rusty Tubs.....
I think that Fiber Steel will have their's ready in about 2 weeks.
Isn't that the same time as man landing on Mars?
Isn't that the same time as man landing on Mars?