trimacar Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) I know that we often don't like discussing modified cars, but this is interesting. I've made clear tops before, to go OVER the new tops on Classic open cars for protection. Don't think I've ever seen a clear convertible top in the altogether. Edited February 16, 2021 by trimacar (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3macboys Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Ever been in a greenhouse on a hot sunny day? There's not enough A/C in the world to keep cool under that but it definitely has the "Hey look at me" thing going for it. Don 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 "a trimmer's nightmare, but cool" Cool?!? Anything but as soon as the sun comes out from behind the clouds! About like those Plexiglas lift-off hardtops for convertibles that appeared briefly just after WWII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Cool in the "hood" maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, 3macboys said: it definitely has the "Hey look at me" thing going for it. Which is what it's all about in the donk and bubble world. Gotta give that crowd props for craftsmanship though. Not my thing, but there's some high quality work on most of those cars. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That looks cool...I bet has great visibility. But I can't help but think of how it's going to look when it turns yellow and starts cracking after a few years. Also, it reminds me of the clear plastic coating some people used to put on couches. I don't have fond memories of them 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Agree, in hot weather I keep the black shade over the roof vent. Just too hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That CLEARLY (pun intended) outdoes this one: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3885577/1969-buick-skylark/ Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Recommended for anyone wondering what a DONK is.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I think Billy hit the nail on the head about the top material. I don't think the clear material holds up well to sunlight with yellowing and cracking. Wasn't there a Ford product that had a clear top that was a bust because of the extreme heat in the cabin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 To me that top is an 'umbrella'. Put it up in the rain, when not raining leave it down. No worries about the excess heat that way. This has me thinking, I may change the top on my wifes mustang 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 1956 Ford Crown Victoria ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 10 hours ago, padgett said: 1956 Ford Crown Victoria ? Actually, I believe it was the 1954 Ford SKYLINER. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Thank you. Never had a Ford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Seems I read the GM Firebird concepts with their clear canopies were very hot inside in high temps. Lincoln Futura too before it became the Batmobile. Was waiting to be called in to my chiropractor's office just before noon. 39° ambient by the truck's sensor but dang if it didn't get hot in that truck in bright sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Now if the individuals with this clear top in OP picture really wanted to “impress” someone, they should have the seats and all other interior covers (seats, etc) along with drivers/passengers outfits, including undergarments, done in clear also. 😳 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 😳😯😬😖🤯 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 We had a 9000 mile '31 Cadillac V16 Limo in the shop last year. Someone, apparently in the 1950's or 1960's, covered the seats and door panels in that clear plastic so popular then for sofas. It did an excellent job of preserving the original interior. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Restorer32 said: We had a 9000 mile '31 Cadillac V16 Limo in the shop last year. Someone, apparently in the 1950's or 1960's, covered the seats and door panels in that clear plastic so popular then for sofas. It did an excellent job of preserving the original interior. I remember when that was fairly standard dealer installed "accessory". My dad did that on his '55 Chevy. Especially good with three kids to keep the rear seat clean. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 9 hours ago, TTR said: Now if the individuals with this clear top in OP picture really wanted to “impress” someone, they should have the seats and all other interior covers (seats, etc) along with drivers/passengers outfits, including undergarments, done in clear also. 😳 Look for a 1968 Quasar Unipower!! https://www.cardesignnews.com/ccotm-quasar-khanhs-unipower-city-car/38485.article Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 9 hours ago, rocketraider said: Seems I read the GM Firebird concepts with their clear canopies were very hot inside in high temps. Lincoln Futura too before it became the Batmobile. So does a Messerschmitt. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 On 2/17/2021 at 9:13 AM, 46 woodie said: I think Billy hit the nail on the head about the top material. I don't think the clear material holds up well to sunlight with yellowing and cracking. Wasn't there a Ford product that had a clear top that was a bust because of the extreme heat in the cabin? And also , as I recall, the 1954 Mercury "SUN VALLEY" option, where the front half of the roof was glass. There was a zippered headliner to somewhat offset the "Broil Factor". Ford did offer the option in at least 1954, as well as an option with the Crown Victoria in 1955, but not sure if it survived into 1956 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 And then there was the 39 Pontiac: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Like some people- pretty on the outside but ugly beneath the skin!🙀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 17 hours ago, Marty Roth said: Ford did offer the option in at least 1954, as well as an option with the Crown Victoria in 1955, but not sure if it survived into 1956 1956 was the final year, until the moonroofs of the 1970's. Craig 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan G Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 My dad often told how he owned a '55 Ford convertible. His father worried about him rolling it and insisted he trade it in on something safer. Dad bought something Pop-Pop felt was even worse, a "glass-top" Ford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 On 2/18/2021 at 1:47 PM, rocketraider said: Like some people- pretty on the outside but ugly beneath the skin!🙀 All cars are! Beauty is only tin deep! Window regulators weren't designed to look pretty!! Craig 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 When you bought a car in the fifties the states would sell your name to fingerhut so the could solicitate your business for seat covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I agree with some of the other folks: If I'm going to bake to death in a car, I'd prefer it be a '54 Skyliner. 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I think I've opened the full length skylight in our Lincoln Nautilus a couple of times for the grandkids. I cannot understand why anyone would purchase a clear top in a car if it didn't come as a package deal. Like setting under a heat lamp on a clear day and nothing to look at on a cloudy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I painted the removable sunroof in my Fieros (several) black. Mostly a roof vent anyway. Tempted to do same to CTS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 If that clear top is made out of the same material as the plastic windows it would scratch very easy and of put down frequently it would not look good very long. I have been installing tops for over 30 years and never seen one before now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Agree, I think its one of those things that looks good the second it rolls out of the shop. Then it starts going downhill from there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Edit: Not that it looked good to begin with 😕 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 I did not know it was made in large enough pieces to make into a top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 It's clear vinyl - no issue with making it in upholstery widths, except there is no supporting scrim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 On 2/21/2021 at 5:41 PM, padgett said: I painted the removable sunroof in my Fieros (several) black. Mostly a roof vent anyway. Tempted to do same to CTS. Paint it white. Black absorbs light, causing it to heat up - white reflects light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 Car was black. Once sun was blocked AC was fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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