new top....hardtop

[DukeBoy]

Well, I started on my hardtop.

[DeXteR]

HALLE-FREAKIN-LUAH!!!!



This one looks promising guys...

DEFINITELY keep us updated with lots of pics. Sure would appreciate some details too!

I'd like to find out what kind of reinforcement you're using underneath and how you plan on securing this once it's completed. Those will make or break the success of your design.

[94_240sx]

I think that the quarter window shouldn't be blocked. It'll look weird from the side.

[Jason R]

I'm digging it so far. good job man.

[DeXteR]

I think that the quarter window shouldn't be blocked. It'll look weird from the side.

Along these lines, I don't think the rear window should be blocked either...



I'm going to go out on a limb and assume rear quarters and rear window will be cut out and added later.

[94_240sx]

Along these lines, I don't think the rear window should be blocked either...



I'm going to go out on a limb and assume rear quarters and rear window will be cut out and added later.

Ah!!! Sorry, somehow I thought he was to going to block the quarter windows cuz it's going to be easier that way.

This is pretty common way to secure aftermarket hardtop.

[DukeBoy]

I'm eliminating the quarter windows because the suck. I am going to cut out the back window and probably use lexan. I might cut out some small quarter windows and put something there, but I still haven't decided yet. I am eliminating the soft top completely. I used the stock frame and latches for the top section. It is supported behind the windows by a piece of angle iron that I welded in and bolted it to the door support. I should have taken more pictures of it when I was working on it, but I was sick for 2 weeks and I'm trying to catch up now. I used that 3-piece aluminum molding that wraps around the bottom of the top/trunk and fiberglassed it together. I fiberglassed it to the rest of the top and I'm hoping it it will come off relatively easily as one whole piece.

[S15nS13vert]

you should have save some $$$$ and buy a coupe

[DeXteR]

you should have save some $$$$ and buy a coupe

No... s13 hardtop convertible is the shizznit. A few have attempted it, but none have succeed to do it in a manor that makes us all drool. It's a dream project for most of us that we'll probably never get around to or motivated enough to tackle.

I like the direction this one is heading.

DEFINITELY put quarter windows in it, otherwise it won't look right. I think your best bet will be to model the original coupe quarter window. Don't do a circle - that'd scream 50's like that retro thunderbird from a few years back.

Just my opinions.

[EDIT]

I just did some digging. This is one of the powerzamcam cars. These guys have attempted this once before. It was a hack job that they threw together quickly to conform to some drifting rules. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done. Hopefully this is your chance to get it done right.

I'm looking forward to seeing some results. Good luck!

[onosqv]

Looking VERY bad *** so far!!! Keep up the good work.

[GoinTopless240]

Looking good... I like.. I agree with Dex... no portholes.. need something somewhat angular to keep with style.... I know you snow boys will need glass w/defrost (plexi gets scratched when ice is scraped off)... man I don't miss that... Keep us posted DukeBoy... like the progress...

[AZhitman]

Dude, portholes or BAN!!!

Nice work, George!

[DeXteR]

Dude, portholes or BAN!!!

Are you serious? You like the round quarter windows?

[voice=Chris_Tucker]Wha's wrong witchu?![/voice]

[red_vert]

looks amazing..

mass production..!!

i'm gonna start saving!

[DukeBoy]

you should have save some $$$$ and buy a coupe

If I wanted a coupe, I would have bought one. But I wanted to have the first drift vert with full cage etc. I wanted something different. Now I'm going for a hardtop for it too.

and this is just sexy...

I just did some digging. This is one of the powerzamcam cars. These guys have attempted this once before. It was a hack job that they threw together quickly to conform to some drifting rules. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done. Hopefully this is your chance to get it done right.

I'm looking forward to seeing some results. Good luck!

The first hardtop we tried making was molded from a coupe roof. We needed it on our other vert for D1 since they required a hardtop.

zerothread?id=246932

[tad_07]

rear quarters are a must or it will look like some funky junk. I'd use lexan for a rear and quarter windows.

[Aguel]

Nice work.

[MadmikeX3]

and this is just sexy...

Wow Im so doing a cage now. Hmmm is there a way to VIP style a cage? Chrome and some Diamonds?

[white90esex]

Man, if I had a vert it totally design some crazy fiberglass top for it!!

Why cant I find a good one near me... im doomed, time to move to cali.

[Uncle Buck]

Man, if I had a vert it totally design some crazy fiberglass top for it!!

Why cant I find a good one near me... im doomed, time to move to cali.

dude my buddy just picked up a vert down in Denver for 2k no more then a month and a half ago....

[YOUNG240SX]

If I wanted a coupe, I would have bought one. But I wanted to have the first drift vert with full cage etc. I wanted something different. Now I'm going for a hardtop for it too.

and this is just sexy...



The first hardtop we tried making was molded from a coupe roof. We needed it on our other vert for D1 since they required a hardtop.

zerothread?id=246932

i think im in love

[red_vert]

Wow Im so doing a cage now. Hmmm is there a way to VIP style a cage? Chrome and some Diamonds?

haha. made me laugh a bit. maybe wood grain texture?

i want a cage welded in. so bad.

[AZhitman]

*ahem*

*I* fully intend to be the only 'vert with a chromed rollbar, kthxbye.

[MadmikeX3]

*ahem*

*I* fully intend to be the only 'vert with a chromed rollbar, kthxbye.

This will make two of us just as long as I can make it look VIPish dont know how but ima try.

[DeXteR]

Polished stainless instead of chrome...

Just a thought.

Any updates?

[DukeBoy]

Sorry for not updating guys. I've been busy trying to get the top smooth. It's not going to be perfect for saturdays nopi qualifier but at least I can attend and finish it later. I managed to take the top off fairly easily last night. It isn't too heavy or too light, but it sure is sturdy. Two people lift it easily w/o struggling. I've been having trouble keeping the resin from running down the sides (i'm not a body guy and my first time fiberglassing), so i've been spending a lot of time sanding and cleaning up resin. Now that it is off the car, I can turn it on its side and fiberglass the sides and back a lot easier/smoother. Still a lot of work to be done, weatherstripping, cutting out the back window. But it's coming out good. I will post more pics soon.

[MadmikeX3]

Polished stainless instead of chrome...

Just a thought.

Any updates?

I may just wrap it in suade or some velvet or the infamous Loui Vuitton

And sweet we need pics!

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I can't wait to see more pics. I'm glad to see somebody at least attempting this.

[DukeBoy]

Here's some more pics. I didn't finish yet, just painted it to look halfway decent so I could attend an event on Saturday. I'm going to sand it down again and try and smooth it again. I'm going to get my paint/body friend to come down and help when he can.

[onosqv]

Looking really slick man! Can't wait to see it w/ the windows installed, haha.