What to do with that big hole on the roof of your coupe

[Crease]

So I posted a while back asking about how folks had handled their top inserts. I got some really good responses, but decided to go a slightly different route.

I started out with 1/8" ABS plastic sheet and trimmed it to about 1-1/2" larger than the "big hole" in the roof. Then I drilled #10 clearance holes 3/4 of an inch from the edge of the panel, all the way around every 4 inches. Note the vintage trash can I used to support the work.

[Crease]

Layed the panel on the top of the coupe and then transferred the hole locations and drilled the roof.

[BARNETT]

And thennnn.......

[Crease]

Whoops

[Crease]

Damnit Barnett, give me a minute Schulenberg wasn't built in a day!

So then I pulled the panel off and glued on marine grade vinyl. You want to stay away from the edges so that you can get to the holes. I used a clip on edge trim to hold the sides in place.

[BARNETT]

And thennnn...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Crease]

Last you put the panel back on and insert PEM studs into the holes. They grip into the plastic so that they dont turn when you tighten the nuts down (MCMASTERCARR.COM). Thread nuts onto the studs and then push on the edge trim. Tighten up the nuts and your done. Took me about 4 hours all together and cost about 65 bucks.

[BARNETT]

And thennn..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Actually, I saw it the other day, in person, and it looked great! Also, it was water-tight! Now...show everybody your sterile work environment. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Evilfordcoupe™]

I'd have opted for the Trans-Am look of T-tops....

Seriously, that looks great. I will do the same thing, but make it so I can take it off and fold it to store behind the seats.

-Jason

[BARNETT]

Trans Am t-tops...why didn't you think of that, Crease?! Originally, he was gonna run a couple of heart shaped bubble windows, ala 70's van craze...but one of them was cracked. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I guess this white pleated look will work for now.

[stevenjerk]

pretty cool im wanting to make one for my pickup thats removable

[hemi]

aaaahhhhhh.......it looks OKAY....

I'da mounted a swivel-type gun turret for stress-relieving Freeway driving.

[buzzard]

Man, that car just gets better and better. I shall grant this post with 4 stars. Would've been 5 if you were even a decent photographer. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[krupanut]

Great stuff Crease!

[candyman]

You said it is water tight... is it water tight while moving at road speeds?

[lesabre59]

That looks great Crease! Tell Dan you wanna do the seat for his trike now http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Crease]

Thanks for the kind words guys. That's it for my upholstery career, Im planning to talk to Fatluckys about doin the interior once I get the windows in.

[antichrysler]

Nice job!

Did you have someone make the tuck and roll covering or can you buy prefab white tuck and roll marine vinyl?

Looks great.

[fatassbuick]

OSSIM! Good idear.

[Crease]

Thanks

No, I bought the material just like that. I was gonna just buy the regular stuff and then saw the fancy stuff. It runs about 20 bucks a yard, but I thought it was worth it.


Crease
Barons So Tex

[Crankshaft Sid]

Lucky bastards, over here its like 70 bucks a yard...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Crease, where did you get the clip on edge trim and does it come in black. I think im gonna do it this weekend
Paul

[praisethelowered]

Barnett- seriously- do you have any heart shaped bubble windows- I've been looking for some forever? No joke.

[Crease]

low n loud

Yeah it comes in black. I bought it at San Antonio upholstery, but you should be able to find it locally without any problem. I think it was like 2 bucks a yard. Let me know if you have trouble locating it and I'll send you some.

BTW I think I'll cut my radiator down a bit like you did. Mine sits about 2" higher than I would like.

Crease
BArons So Tex

[fatluckys]

[ QUOTE ]
Im planning to talk to Fatluckys about doin the interior once I get the windows in.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's funny, after I saw your work I thought I'd ask you to finish the upholstery in my car. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[BARNETT]

PraiseTheLowered... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif....that's funny as hell...but I don't have any, sorry. Tried Epay lately? Seems like there would be one or two floating around there.

[Nads]

Cool as fuck, a whole lot better than this.

[Crease]

Fatluckys,

Coming soon....Skinnyunfortunatebastards upholstery

"Our quality aint all that good, but we're slow"

I meant to talk with you at the roundup, better never saw you after we checked in on Friday afternoon. I'll track you down one way or another. I've been wanting to head out your way to see what Jason is up to also. I'll have to kill 2 stones with one bird.

Crease
Barons So Tex

[Grumpy]

crease, where'd ya get the pre-pleated material? BTW, top looks great. good job!

[plan9]

[ QUOTE ]
Cool as fuck, a whole lot better than this.

[/ QUOTE ]


nads, now thats a ghetto poo!!

[hiboy32]

I just left the hole. Fits right in with the windows and floor.

[fatluckys]

[ QUOTE ]
"Our quality aint all that good, but we're slow"

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey that's my motto- get your own! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Baumi]

Gunther, a friend of mine from Austria,decided to use a piece of orange tinted plastic to fill the hole. You get nuts sitting in it. It´s like being on heavy drugs and wearing deep orange sunglasses at a time http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifI´m sorry you can hardly see it on the pic...it´s the best I could find. http://members.aon.at/hepcat/demons/12party3.jpg

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Alright, I did it now too. I was sick of getting a sun burn and people asking me how I chopped my coupe as they looked through the hole in the top. Crease's idea worked like a charm.

I will say this though, I used a standard 1/2 inch window rubber as my finish trim and I am going to go for a slightly bigger (3/4 inch) size becasue it didnt seem to lay down as well as I wanted it to. The top is Leatherette (best word ever) and it looks way better than what I had

I also noticed that my car is dark as hell inside now and seems really low. It is a fun weekend projct and I will post some shots after I add some foam and different rubber trim.

thanks for the idea
Paul

[Crease]

Very cool! Makes me real happy that someone found the info of use. I think Im gonna give my radiator the low n loud treatment, really like the way your grill shell sits. Your car looks kick ass, it really sits nice.

Crease
Barons So Tex

[flt-blk]

Crease,
Looks good.

Did you put any bows in the top. Does it sag in the heat down there?
TZ

[Crease]

FLT-BLK

Thanks.

yeah it sags in the heat, but what's that got to do with my top? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just kidding, I've got wood all the way around the hole and then one piece down the middle. I still want to do some tweaking on the wood. I didn't use hardwood and the radius isn't quite perfect. So far no sagging.

Talkin to Antichrysler a while back he's say's your car runs as great as it looks. I'll have to get you to take me for a ride at the drags.

Crease
Barons So Tex