Thread: New roof for the wife's mustang

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I built Shirley's Mustang II roadster (tube chassis, no top, no door glass) about 10 years ago and she hardly ever drives it for fear of getting caught in the weather. I decided to put a convertible top on it and got this far before I had one of the local interior guys give me an estimate on putting a new canvas top on the frame and he said a miniumum of $2000+ with no guarantees, because it would have to be made from scratch to fit the framework I remade from a jensen Healy I know he is good and the cheapest around from experience.
I now think it would be easier and cheaper to graft a complete sheetmetal roof on it.
I am trying to decide wheather to use a 66 fast back roof, a new 05-08 roof, or build one from scratch. One trouble is I can't seem to find either and old top or the new generation sheetmetal.
Any suggestions?
John

Can you take a better shot of it from the side, show the whole car, maybe outside?

Are you gonna put glass back in the doors?

I will post a a better side shot tommorrow.
I already have the passenger door remade so the glass works.
Since the doors are 6 inches shorter and 5 inches shallower than stock I had to make new curved runners for the glass as well as all new lifting mechanism. I will show some shots of that tommorrow as well.
John

I'm thinking more a 79-86 coupe for the removable hardtop.

here are a couple of shot of the new door latches and the runner as well as the extent that I had to change the upper part of the door for the glalss.

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I'm thinking more a 79-86 coupe for the removable hardtop.

I had thought of the earlier notchback top but I like the looks of the fast back better. I had not thought of a removable hardtop.
john

Removable hardtop would be kewl......Maybe shape one up with some light aluminum or sheet metal.... Could work the metal and finish it, or shoot a mold off it and make a 'glass roof?????

I'm going to tarp my stuff LOL dont need a convertible . 41 great job doing that Ghia up like that . Car looks sweet even i would like to get a drive in it . I thought all top makers cut and sewn there stuff to fit the frame .

Originally Posted by bluestang67

I'm going to tarp my stuff LOL dont need a convertible . 41 great job doing that Ghia up like that . Car looks sweet even i would like to get a drive in it . I thought all top makers cut and sewn there stuff to fit the frame .

thanks, It is a blast to drive. I thought so too but this guy says that typically they buy premade tops and install them, except of course for one off stuff. the biggest trouble with my frame is that there were never provisions for window rubbers so I had to build all of that in. He would have had to cut and sew to match my frame and he had no reference points for anything, which is very labor intensive.
It is a mute point now as you can see by the photo I got happy with the sawzall last night.

for you photo shop guys- here is a line drawing of the original Ghia and a sketch of the current body with a fast back top.
Maybe you can switch some top configuations around to see what looks best?


John

Notice that when I rebuilt it the new body configuration has a 6" longer front fenders, smaller doors , it has been section 5", front wheels moved forward 12" rear wheels moved forward 6", cabin shortened 6" I built two of them at the same time one for racing and one for street. the drag car has no doors.

From the header of the windshield to the back edge of the rear compartment is how far (measured from the highest point), then that point down to the rear decklid (essentially a 90 degree measurement on two planes)......


Bill S.

Bill,
without measuring (will do it tonight) i can guess that it is around 55" long and 16" high

Originally Posted by 41willys

Bill,
without measuring (will do it tonight) i can guess that it is around 55" long and 16" high

Measure it tonight and get me the width at the header panel as well.
My thoughts are to find you a factory hardtop that you can modify like this one from a late model Triumph Spitfire.....




Bill S.

41 unless she has the top with her and help to install your about in the same boat right if rain sets in . When i was looking at this bar work you had installed i seen tee tops , carried in the trunk and easy enough for her to install on her own . You would still get some what of the roadster feel partially open top .