One of my bubble tops
11-04-2010, 12:04 PM
#4
Safety Car
Thread Starter
No! I came by an original (green) tint top some years ago and made a mould of it to make more bubble tops and sold 15 ,some were (dark) tint and (clear) tops.
They were so hard to make I decided not to make anymore . Original ones were ether (green tint only 5 made ) or ( clear I think 15 made). I never made a green top to keep them a rare top like mine. The one here is a (Dark) top I sold.
They were so hard to make I decided not to make anymore . Original ones were ether (green tint only 5 made ) or ( clear I think 15 made). I never made a green top to keep them a rare top like mine. The one here is a (Dark) top I sold.
Last edited by 1955 copper; 11-04-2010 at 12:13 PM.
11-04-2010, 12:29 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Roy,
Had you worked with plexi in the past or did you just learn as you went. Did you build that jig yourself? was this in your garage?
Did you try to turn it into a business or was it just a hobby? please tell us more, it is so interesting to hear stories like yours.
I loved seeing the pics can you post others.
Thanks for sharing with us!
Had you worked with plexi in the past or did you just learn as you went. Did you build that jig yourself? was this in your garage?
Did you try to turn it into a business or was it just a hobby? please tell us more, it is so interesting to hear stories like yours.
I loved seeing the pics can you post others.
Thanks for sharing with us!
11-04-2010, 12:56 PM
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
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A guy I went to high school with started making clear plexiglass bubble tops for early Corvettes in the mid/late '60's. Who came first? You? Him?
11-04-2010, 02:48 PM
#9
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Some years ago I met a guy "Bob " in Sacramento Ca. That had a 54 he bought back in 1968 . His fender was damaged and ask if I could repair it . He showed me (as he said a strange top that came with his 54 and dint know what it was ) , It dint hit at first what I was looking at but as we talked it hit me that it was a rare green bubble top Noland showed and talked about in his book. Now I do do my own work but after seeing the top and knowing what it was I asked Bob if I repair his fender would he sell me the top and he said yes.
Then I had the thought of reproducing them and make a little money and met a guy near me that makes canopy's for gliders asking if he could use the original top to make me a mould. Between the two of use we did, and not hurting the original top made a mould . Then using his oven we formed 15 tops , some tinted and others clear . My real problem was fitting , cutting the windows ,adding weatherstripping , and having hardware made for the tops and using my 55 Corvette to fit each one. It turned out being a bear making each one and shipping them mostly over seas a nightmare so I gave up on them. To let people here know many went to Germany, Spain, Sweden and collectors like Bob McDorman, Pro-team ,Duffy's restoration Brothers, each bought one for a his 54 and a 60 Corvette. Yes I realized to make one fit a 56 to 62 I only needed to cut the door window different and they fit nicely, using a friend's 57 and a 60 I have.
Now I see some of those people that bought one are saying there original NOT! 57 to 62 bubble tops were never made back in 1953 as the original's were made for 53 to 55 only. The factory that made them Model builders in Chicago only sold them to a Corvette owner that brought his or her Corvette to the plant for fitting, they did not ship them out from the plant.
Here Is a few pic's of different year Corvettes I made them for.
Any question about them ask me.
By the way in Fl. a 55 copper Corvette also has one of mine on his Corvette and many people think it's my vette NOT!
Then I had the thought of reproducing them and make a little money and met a guy near me that makes canopy's for gliders asking if he could use the original top to make me a mould. Between the two of use we did, and not hurting the original top made a mould . Then using his oven we formed 15 tops , some tinted and others clear . My real problem was fitting , cutting the windows ,adding weatherstripping , and having hardware made for the tops and using my 55 Corvette to fit each one. It turned out being a bear making each one and shipping them mostly over seas a nightmare so I gave up on them. To let people here know many went to Germany, Spain, Sweden and collectors like Bob McDorman, Pro-team ,Duffy's restoration Brothers, each bought one for a his 54 and a 60 Corvette. Yes I realized to make one fit a 56 to 62 I only needed to cut the door window different and they fit nicely, using a friend's 57 and a 60 I have.
Now I see some of those people that bought one are saying there original NOT! 57 to 62 bubble tops were never made back in 1953 as the original's were made for 53 to 55 only. The factory that made them Model builders in Chicago only sold them to a Corvette owner that brought his or her Corvette to the plant for fitting, they did not ship them out from the plant.
Here Is a few pic's of different year Corvettes I made them for.
Any question about them ask me.
By the way in Fl. a 55 copper Corvette also has one of mine on his Corvette and many people think it's my vette NOT!
11-04-2010, 02:59 PM
#10
Safety Car
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=toddalin;1575826481] your new helmet for your swollen ego is almost ready."
Is that a put down for me ? I dont get it!!!!!!!!!
Is that a put down for me ? I dont get it!!!!!!!!!
11-04-2010, 03:46 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
11-04-2010, 06:58 PM
#13
Safety Car
Thread Starter
11-04-2010, 07:54 PM
#15
Safety Car
Thread Starter
[SIZE="3"]Some one asked if I would show a bubble top on a 56-57 , this is the only one I ever did for a 56 to 57 for my friend George[ tho it would also fit a 58 to 59 (same)/SIZE]
11-04-2010, 08:47 PM
#19
Race Director
That is totally awesome, great job and very well done, best and probably better than the others. It makes them look real cool, but I wondered the same, that they might be a little warm in there, under the sun.
11-04-2010, 09:35 PM
#20
Safety Car
