Heh, staying dry is my main goal.
courtenay - I think if somebody really wanted a top made out of a different material than vinyl, but couldn't afford a canvas one, they'd consider doing this. That's part of the reason why I'm doing it. So I can have a top that not many other people have.
But so far all I have to do is trim the main piece, re-stitch it, and seal every seam with tons and tons and tons of shoe goo. But the main point is that IT FITS! I'm excited about that now. I'm -ALMOST- there. I'm debating about trying to make a pattern using this top when I can afford the new material. I'm not sure if I could sell it or not, but I could at least make a pattern and post it online if I could figure out how to measure every portion of it. Even if only one person is able to use it, at least it was helpful for someone.
I also had a random idea I might try if I can find a use for it. I have a nice old 1960'sish soldering gun. One of the tips included with it was an unused flat bar like thing. It heats up, and I can 'weld' the plastic vinyl. The thick stuff isn't too hard, but the thin stuff is rather difficult as it burns rather easily. I might try and figure out how to weld the window to the rest of the vinyl, but then if water got in there it would be trapped.
Custom Rag Top
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baltobernie
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 3466
- Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
- Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Re: Custom Rag Top
The four fasteners that hold the frame to the body are "shoulder bolts". There are a few nuts and bolts on the Spider that are unique to the car and can't be found in a hardware store. These are one of them.
Weld in some nutplates on the bow to replace the sheet metal screws holding the hoisting pull.
Weld in some nutplates on the bow to replace the sheet metal screws holding the hoisting pull.-
gtkid2002
Re: Custom Rag Top
After a re-stitch and some minor trimming, it fit much tighter. It still doesn't fit smoothly at this point, but it's not bad enough to really bother me much anymore. It's nowhere near as saggy as it once was, and the rear window is rather taught.
I sewed the flaps for the window seals on, I might have to make some secondary velcro flaps for it, and I might add another flap to make sure the windows seal better. Other than that, I have to sew on some seambinding and waterproof it, and it will be done.
Then I get to attach it. Oh joyus day.
baltobernie - I couldn't find bolts that fit exactly, and I had never seen bolts like that before, so I just picked up some black hardened metric bolts that were a close diameter. I put some nylon washers inbetween in place of the thin metal ones, and tightened it a lot. It actually seems to close and open smoother than ever, but it takes some tugging if it's rather cold.
Anyways, here's a picture of it with the flaps on.
I sewed the flaps for the window seals on, I might have to make some secondary velcro flaps for it, and I might add another flap to make sure the windows seal better. Other than that, I have to sew on some seambinding and waterproof it, and it will be done.
Then I get to attach it. Oh joyus day.
baltobernie - I couldn't find bolts that fit exactly, and I had never seen bolts like that before, so I just picked up some black hardened metric bolts that were a close diameter. I put some nylon washers inbetween in place of the thin metal ones, and tightened it a lot. It actually seems to close and open smoother than ever, but it takes some tugging if it's rather cold.
Anyways, here's a picture of it with the flaps on.
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gtkid2002
Re: Custom Rag Top
I don't get to attach it for a number of reasons.
It started snowing today. I can't drive it because of the snow.
I started it to meet some friends at a gas station with the top in place.
BAM.
I blew a spark plug out of the head. There are about a 1/4inch of threads left for the spark plug to fit into, and it only goes hand tight. I think a prior owner may have screwed that up, but for now it's going to just be sitting. I got the top and side on, and it leaks air by the windows still, and some other minor things are a bit too big, but whatever. I'll leave it on for the winter to at least keep out more water and snow than the tarp alone could do. But for now this project is kinda dead I'm sorry to say.
I'll try and resume work when the weather lets up. Unless I just go out and buy a top after I can land a job. I'm not just going to let it rot though, I'm going to be putting parts from an old car of mine that I'm scrapping, seats mostly. Then I'm going to slowly convert the interior to black.
It started snowing today. I can't drive it because of the snow.
I started it to meet some friends at a gas station with the top in place.
BAM.
I blew a spark plug out of the head. There are about a 1/4inch of threads left for the spark plug to fit into, and it only goes hand tight. I think a prior owner may have screwed that up, but for now it's going to just be sitting. I got the top and side on, and it leaks air by the windows still, and some other minor things are a bit too big, but whatever. I'll leave it on for the winter to at least keep out more water and snow than the tarp alone could do. But for now this project is kinda dead I'm sorry to say.
I'll try and resume work when the weather lets up. Unless I just go out and buy a top after I can land a job. I'm not just going to let it rot though, I'm going to be putting parts from an old car of mine that I'm scrapping, seats mostly. Then I'm going to slowly convert the interior to black.
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gtkid2002
Re: Custom Rag Top
Well, I'm gonna try and restart this. I've been re-motivated since a friend got a new car. I'm gonna replace the vinyl that I tore with thicker stuff, sew the industrial velcro in place, waterproof it again, try and fix that damn back corner, and stick it on the car.
It leaks air from the corner windows, but not too much. I also need to trim the window sealing flaps. They get caught in the widnows right now. Rather annoying to try and shut the doors with those in place.
Will post updates after they're done from now on.
It leaks air from the corner windows, but not too much. I also need to trim the window sealing flaps. They get caught in the widnows right now. Rather annoying to try and shut the doors with those in place.
Will post updates after they're done from now on.