Customs Carson Tops and other kinds as well

A history lesson for everyone as well as for me. I will post articles, photos and adds that appeared in magazines. Also photo`s I have taken over the years. I`ll jump around a lot from what I run across in my search. Also will be posting about the different styles of convertible tops as well. The good, the bad and the ugly ones will be posted. First, how about an add from the January 1951 Motor Trend.

 

^^^^ That is probably the only wrap-a-round rear window that looked half way right on a Carson type top; but I still wonder if it would have looked better with a conventional window.

 

An article tidbit that appeared in American Rodder in 98. Als. o an add that appeared in the Motor Trend in November of 1950. I don`t think Houser had his shop in the suburb of Carson. He learned how to make the tops from Amos Carson who he inherited the business from. Or a strange coincidence.

 

Finally a Carson Top thread, why didn't HOTROPRIMER think of this!

 

Forgive me, but I do not know how to transfer pic`s from one site to another, so these are from the periodicals I have on hand. Thanks for posting RICH B. But lets take a look inside. This is a pic from Pat Gahnals book Custom Cars. He said by his research that it was from 1941. At that time, they were doing 10 tops a day. See all the 36`s. I am no expert by no means, so forgive me if I give wrong information. The info I do give is what I have read and will post articles containing the info to back it up.

 

Another article. Is this the Model A with a Duvall windshield? I bet it is.

 

Carson top on my avatar built by Charlie Hall in Tucson Arizona.

 

Do you know what year it was done.

 

I don't know when it was done. It is fairly old because some of the stitches are failing. John

 

Here is an article from the trade publication Auto Trim News. I acquired a bunch of old issues from the Founder Nat Danas in about 91. The top was for the 53-55 Corvette. Would some one post some closeup pic`s of the top.

 

Motor Trend November 1950.

 

March of 54. Motor Trend

 

As far as I know, the only factory-equipped automobiles to ever have Carson tops as standard equipment, were Muntz Jets. Every single car from 1950 through 1953 came with them. Here's a stock one from the early fifties, and my own car, with a three inch chop. I also have a photo somewhere around here of a couple of Jets (owned by two brothers) that the Barris brothers chopped the Carson tops, in the mid to late fifties.

 

View attachment 4171800 This is "An other kind" When I built my Phantom Fordor 33 C400 , I had to design a Top , I read all the Dealer Service Bulletins concerning Model A and Model B Convertible Sedans . Customer complaints about wind and water leaking around the edges and swirling wind in the passenger compartment when driving at highway speeds Etc. so I tried to eliminate as many problems as I could . I created a weatherstrip channel around the roof opening , the weatherstrip fits snuggly against the top when it's up. also designed the top to fit in the package shelf when the top is down, as opposed to hanging off the back of the car as in the A & B 400's. Above the Windshield ,The header is angled upward to deflect the wind , also has rubber strip that pops up when the top is put down which also helps deflect the wind from swirling inside .When up, The top has Flaps sewn into the top with Button Snaps on either side of both Stationary Top Bows , which keeps the top from Billowing at Highway speeds . Works well . I think I accomplished what I planned on .

 

Noticed the address in the ad above; checked it out, looks like the same building in post #4 with a "modern" touch, now 4908.
Shame what people do to buildings.

 

An add from the December of 53 Hop-up.

 

An early add from Motor Trend 1949.

 

It seems "Carson Top" has evolved to mean any roof that comes off but was not originally a convertible.
I've given up telling people my car does not have a Carson Top, but rather a one off hand shaped metal removable roof.

 

A good read from Motor Trend - April of 53.

 

So here`s a pic of a Davis 3-wheeler. Why, because Glen helped in the development of it I read in an article about him. It was in a trade publication I have somewhere. They interviewed his daughter and she said he was a workaholic. When I find it I`ll post it. I have more than a few thousand magazines. But for now, here`s an add for Gaylords. Motor Trend July of 1950.

 

Wonder what the story is on this Carson topped '41 my son noticed in the background of a picture my father-in-law has from a western MN motorcycle rally back in '47.

 

Do you have a pic of the front end of this?

 

An article from Rod and Custom November `97

 

Continued.

 

Thanks Jalopy Joker for the pic`s. As you might know. I`m a custom nut. I took a pic of this car in the early to mid 90`s in Lincoln Nebraska at the Americruize by Rod and Custom. It more than likely has a Winfield fiberglass top. More on that next.

 

I attended a KKOA show in Davenport Iowa in about 89 or 9o. Gene Winfield was there sellin fiberglass Mercury bodies and fiberglass style Carson tops. I have the literature somewhere, but can`t seem to find it. A guy by the name of Teddy Aherns was there also. He had Gene deliver a top for a 46-48 Ford-Merc to him In Council Bluffs as Gene headed home. Ted originally built his Merc(Teddy Bear)in about 77. Time for a change. As you can see. The results came out pretty good.

 

This scan is from Motor Trend July 1950.