Thread: Opinion on roadster top requested

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Okay, this is something that I don't usually do, but I need an opinion on this side window opening. In the picture with me setting in the car, the rear of the side window opening leans foreward at the top, similar to a 34 roadster. It gives me good vision to the side, and looks kinda swoopy, but I just don't think the foreward slant goes well with the near vertical back side of the top. In the picture without me in the car (I couldn't coax the wife out to the garage for camera duty again), I have made the rear of the window opening perfectly vertical.---It isn't as "swoopy" but I think it works better visually with the shape of this top. -----Opinions??????

And here it is vertical---

Brian, I like the top view better. To me it seems to flow better with the back angle of the top's bows.

Of the two, I like the bottom choice.

If it were mine , I'd bring it forward to the door edge. When I look at the two choices, my mind is asking why it doesn't come up to the door, because that is the logical place it would normally meet a side window or curtain.

In the end, throw everybody's opinion out, and do what you like. This car only needs to satisfy you.

I agree with hotrodpaint .....

For the sake of comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges---well, you get the idea---Here is a picture with the slanted rear window opening without my ugly mug in it.

Hotrodpaint---Visually, you are right on---the top should start immediately behind the door. However, ergonomics being what they are, that space is reserved for my left elbow. I wanted to put a top on without making any concessions to driver comfort, and my elbow comes first.

Well seeing how the elbow wins out .... I would say that the slanted would be my choice.

Brian, I have to aggree with Hotrodpaint, the upholstery starting at the back of the front door does seem to look more like "original" (if there was one). Perhaps you could use a stud fix of some kind to secure it down until yo wanted to stick your elbow there. Like a flap you can tie back...??

Andy

ps Both ways look cool and you are creating a top looking roof.

I'll vote for the straight up and town vertical line.

It matches the verticalness - izzat a word? - of the windshield and continues the theme.

Plus it gives you a rectangular opening that fits well.

If the tops bottom connection to the body is where shown in the pics, looks like you'll have lots of elbow room.
I'm guessing with your arm tipped up to rest on the upper part of the door, you'll get tired of that after a while and bring your arm inside.
Sorta what happens with my 32....

You have the rest of the top nailed down. Really nice proportions to the bow and the straight back side.

Hate to give opinions, but you have asked............so............I like the bottom one the best of the two, but I agree that it would look the VERY best if the top met the door edge, and either went straight up, or if it actually swept back like some original '32 tops were made.

I understand your reasoning of the elbow thing though, and sometimes form follows function.

I'm not normally a top kind of person, because once it's on you will never take it off again, but yours really looks very nice. You've done your homework well.

JMO, Don

Gherkin---too late now. I originally had the plywood that goes around the rear of the cockpit area come right up to the door edge. because I thought that was where the top should end. Then when I sat in the car, I realized that i could no longer set my elbow up on the edge of the body, and that it was uncomfortable. So----I cut about 2 3/4" off the plywood. The top material attaches to that plywood, and can not support itself otherwise.

Well in that case I would just go for the second one, I think that little bit of return looks like just what's needed
but the choice is yours, as always. Sounds like you've got a big descision ahead of you. Measure twice cut once and all.....

The second one fits the car better.

I thought you might have issues with periferical vision, say on a freeway or when you return a wave for an adoring hot rod fan !