OK, I'm back from my self-imposed exile.
The top is the absolute bomb. Seriously. You sir, are the man.
You should dry sump that dude, and exit the exhaust through the body on a slash-cut through one of the rear fenders behind one wheel or the other (like the exhausts on a WW2 fighter). Then fab up a skid plate, and you can you can actually DRIVE it all slammed out like that.
Stan, What a terrific idea!
I can visualize that 3" slant cut exhaust tip protruding from a fabricated oval port as clear as day...I'm sure Oliver can too!!!
I grew up in the "Aerosmith" generation.
I'm lucky I can visualize my fly in the morning.
Can anyone tell me where I can get some more mushrooms?
Mitch,
We gotta meet for lunch one of these days...
Mitch
One of my favorites Back in the day, that, & Mescaline, Oh boy, that really takes me back..
I don't remember the 60s. 
Fabulous Freak Brothers!
Oliver, your car is creating quite a stir!
I don't remember the 60s.
Yup. You were there...
DAVE???? DAVE????
...uh, Dave's not here, man.
Welcome back, Stan!!
Glad you have decided to come back, Stan. We (you know who we are) were getting lonely without you.
Oliver, Only a tiny percentage of car nuts have the dual capacity of dreaming a spectacular project, then actually building it themselves. You are one of those very few. I salute you! Keep up the magical work, and PLEASE keep sharing your journey with others.
Oliver, can we get the measuring point at which you made your cuts? Maybe a how to list...
I'm really digging this look!
Oliver, It appears you've eliminated (smoothed over) the fore'n aft ridges (bumps) just above the window openings on both sides of the VW top.
Was this dolly'n hammer body shaping, or primarilly filler?
Remember, when you go into production I want a sun roof fabbed into mine!!
thanks dudes ! Carl its all steel & ye dollyied at front screen end with just a lil bog 
the weld marks at front r where a light tube is fitted to hug the screen for rubber seal 
://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd468/oliver365/temporary-45.jpg[/IMG]
Impressive Oliver...very impressive!
I see where the fore n' aft ridge above the drip rails has been flaired into the spliced-in bottom of the rear window configuration. That's going to be a nice visual touch.
Approximately how much of the front of the VW top clip was cut away?
How did you determine the compound curve mating of the roof to the windshield frame?...(I think I see a magic marker scribe line running across the the front of the roof just shy of the actual cut) did you initially use a stiff template as a mock up?
...and, what do you have up your Scot's plaid sleeve for windows???
Jeez, Oliver, I've got a million questions. If you'd prefer a PM for explanations...carlberrystudio@yahoo.com
Exceedingly cool. I've seen a lot of hardtops. I paid an exorbitant amount of money i10 years ago to have a Fibersteel glasspar top fit to my car. I've not seen anything this well thought out, ever.
My only concern is how you plan to do the side-windows, but I'll bet you've got a plan for that as well. I'll just keep checking in an cheering you on.
WOW !!
The best top I've seen to date 
I gonna take Tuff out right now, I'm inspired
thanks again ! ye know wot I would love to make yez all one & bring them over to your cool country
I personally prefer the public rather than PM explanations of how this is being done....it's quite an accomplishment and one heck of an inspiration.
i want to shake your hand oliver - you have fukin nailed it!
that is so bad-ass that i am honestly considering copying you.
such clean lines, yet classy and agreesive. i love the drip trays
i would love to see the front underneath to see how you did that?
oh - and i have a Q on your rear suspension: Are you running IRS?
I am IRS and just came back from the garage after lowering my rear another 1.5". i only have ~1cm between my CV joint and the frame. Did you notch yours?
again - Excellent job my friend!
hope this helps Mr Smoothie
will take some pics today underneath 
thanks again ! ye know wot I would love to make yez all one & bring them over to your cool country
This whole build is just so mindblowingly rad, dude. I just wanted you to know that....
thanks again ! ye know wot I would love to make yez all one & bring them over to your cool country
I live in So Cal , you get here, i have access to VW tops, I have a shop, I'm sure we can get enuff orders to have a great work & play situation - all in favor say
Who wouldn't want one? My brother madede a lot of money back in the 60s making fiberglass tops for Austin Healy 3000s---ran ads in one of the car mags. There is a huge market out there for a good top for Speedsters and I would sure be interested in one.
Mango--I'm surprised you haven't made one yet but it looks like just a matter of time!
!
toothbrush,check,overalls,check,passport ,check ,plane tickets ,check see yoooz soon hahaha
am thinkin of doin "wind up" windows for practicality 
& "slide in" rear side quarters & thanks for all the praise guys
!
"wind up windows" ??
Are you kidding us Oliver??... Are you blowing smoke up our butts??
The best engineering minds in our most respected universities, and hundreds of back yard wrenchers, have been trying to retrofit wind up windows to these speedsters for decades!!...There's going to be a long line behind me at your door if you pull this off.
I'm thinking rear side glass slide into a gasket type seal (plexiglass 1/4 ") with a flat gasket mounted on leading front edge to allow door glass to lay against like most modern convertibles
The way the front pillar is part of your design, the stock VW channel should work.
Just my 2 cents
BTW - just use the 1 piece glass VW kits
Carl ....... yur right ! i must of been on crack when I said that 
I tried today .....
no folkin way ... well to look right any how 
plan b
No Oliver, it wasn't crack
You were on the high that comes from dreaming!
Dreaming of POSSIBILITIES!!!
Your rear side windows look right, IMO...and it's also my opinion that your 'plan B' will knock my sox off too. I hope to hell that you've got these templates and cut dimensions down on paper... and how you determined how to measure and cut the compound mating curve on the turtle deck and the windscreen corners.
In case you missed it, Jack Crosby stated that his brother made a lot of money fabricating and selling hard tops for Healeys.
BTW, which one of the background extras in Mel Gibson's Braveheart do you most closely resemble?
the one in the kilt
Haaaa! Well played, Sir!
