Zippered rear window?

Has anyone investigated modifying the rear window on a StayFast top so it can be zippered open?

I'm sure any automotive upholstery shop could install a zipper. I'm wondering why you might want one because if it's warm enough to open the zippered window it's warm enough to put the top down. I'm just saying...

Carey Hines did mine when he built my car. They first attempted on the stock top and it didn't go so well, so he started over with stayfast and it worked out fine. The zipper runs along the fame so it is supported. My car is in storage where I can't get to it right now or I would send you some fresh pictures. There is a shot or two on my profile, however. To answer Nolan's question, I got it for when I wanted to go on a longer trip in the warm weather and have some sun protection and airflow. I haven't used it yet, however, because most of my drives are around town with the top down and my longer drives have been too cold and or too wet (e.g. Carlisle).

The zippered back window allows you shelter from the beating down sun while allowing more air movement through the cabin.

Plus, with the top up and the rear window zipped down, the top doesn't flap like hell.

John Estes (he's on here infrequently) has an IM with a zippered rear window. He uses his a lot. He's also managed to fit a pair of Volvo power/heated/reclining seats to his roadster. Wicked comfortable, too!

If you have a stayfast cloth-material top, a good convertible top place could install one for you.

If you have the stiffer, vinyl, CMC-style top material, forget it.

I see, that makes sense.

Hmmm, I left my vinyl CMC-style top at a place to put in a zipper. I hope they don't screw it up.

Michael,
Let me know how your zippered window works out beacuse my VS top is ALSO VINYL !!

MY NA6 MX5 has a vinyl roof with a zippered window and that has lasted 22 years.
P

I have a zipperd top, no idea on the material choice of it though, as I've never had it up. Well once, but that was during a massive storm, then as soon as it was up, the storm was done.

OK, so I'm not saying that you CAN'T put a zippered window into a CMC vinyl top, it's just a PITA for whomever is doing the sewing.

Most of the decent convertible top places are running Phaff sewing machines which are pretty rugged, but the real trick is in the needle they must use to pierce the heavy vinyl. The top guy/gal will know all about that. I just remembered that I had seat-top pockets sewn into my CMC vinyl tonneau cover and the guy got that done OK, so I guess that a zippered window would go in as well.

Still, it's a bit of work so I would be interested in how much something like that might cost and I'll also ask at a top place here (the guy is a member of the car club and has a flamed, 32 Highboy) just for comparison.

sorry for the confusion.......gsn

BTW: Phill mentioned his Miata top. Every time I wander through a parking lot and touch a Miata top I think; "ewwwwwww...........That is really stiff vinyl. That's stiffer than a CMC top!" and it is, but in the past 15 or so years I've almost never seen a ratty Miata top, so they must be doing something right!

On my CMC tonneau I had a steering wheel pocket added and a piece spliced in to make it longer.