removable top

[isaltz]

hi guys, im ordering my t kit in a couple of weeks. i am getting a short slanted windshield and i want to put a top on it when im on the highway for long periods of time but i want to b able to remove it once i get where im going, does anyone have any ideas? i can go with either a hard top or one that folds, im open for suggestions. i know many yrs back total performance sold one called a carlson hardtop but i cant find it anywhere. thanks for your help!
thanks
isaac

[rbsWELDER]

I have been trying to find plans for a fold-able top for some time. I have not found one thus far.

Mark

[Bill Holley]

There are a few here that have built them.. hopefully one will post..
i have seen on craigslist a few times of the hard tops from jeeps. they are small and wondering if they will help..
some fab will be need to really fit..
as far a using a top with a slant back w/s ?? i hope your not taller then 5'5".. that slant drops the front of top even further then normal.. i suggest getting new w/s brackets for straight up and going with a taller w/s so u won't be hitting your head with top on..

[Dewey Burton]

I agree with Bill..OK...that's a first...lol....I had a chopped winshield on mine and took it off when I built my top...Now I built a foldable top and have only put it down once ...if I built another one , I would use a fiberglass one ...cheaper and easier to remove..just don't leave home without it , it will rain...lol

[rbsWELDER]

Dewey,

Would you please post some pics of your top or some sketches of how it folds?

Thanks,

[isaltz]

well for starters guys, LOL i am only 5'4" and if i have a tall passenger guess she will have to duck, i only plan on putting it on car when i go on long trips, im fair skin and want to keep the sun off as much as possible, wont matter if i get wet, I ride motorcycles, been caught in rain before lol besides, the back portion of the top will b taller than the front. if anyone has any ideas im all ears, i have been thinking of ways to do it, and i may have one, if it works i will let everyone know, thanks, i'll wait for replies

[winfield scott]

here is the SST with the top on. when it is off it fits on my trailer.
Layback windshield.

[Dewey Burton]

I'll try to get to the shop and take some pics today or tomorrow , I am now trying to get the engine put back together for the race car...I've been on the road having fun to much this summer, and got behind..lol

[isaltz]

thanks SS-T, when it comes to putting the snaps on to hold the top, who would do that? the interior person or should i have the body shop that is gonna paint the car? or is that something that is easy enough to do it yourself?

[Dewey Burton]

I stared with a Speedway frame ,which is similar to all the classic tops. I cut the forward tubes about a inch back and pinned a rod inside so that it would fit into the stub that is attached to the header....to remove pull the pins and fold the tubes inward , I have brackets pop riveted to the tubes to hold them in place when folded...then you must remove the header from the windshield frame ...Unzip the rear window and lay it up on the top...this is to keep the plastic from cracking......unsnap around the bottom and roll the top and rear window to the rear as you collapse , the top . It should now rest on the bed ...I had a cover made that closes with Velcro ...This is the way Luggy did his years ago , I' m sure there is a way to put swivels in the tubes and make it fold smoothly but I'm not an engineer just an old hot-rodder ,,,,,,