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Hi folks - it's been a while...

I just finished building a VW Bus that matches the speedster, had it featured in a few magazines and then went on a 3,000km road trip towing a trailer through the Rockies.  Amazing trip, but now that the bus is done (more or less) for now, i turned my attention to my neglected speedy.

I have always loved Oly's hardtop that he made.  Part of the bus build included all the metal work, bodywork, paint prep and paint.  i did it all in my garage.  I mention this because the hardtop is metal and requires A TON of fabrication to make work.

A freind of mine was scrapping his mid-60's bug, but the roof was too good to not cut off and save for such a project.

Well, i finally had some free time and so i have started.

step 1: build a jig to hold it

Step 2: drive under and assess fitment options

Last edited by MangoSmoothie.ca
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MangoSmoothie.ca posted:

Step 3: Ask Oly for measuring help

Step 4: Cut the hell out of this thing...

Your fab skills are nothing short of amazing in imagination and execution and a pleasure to view. Making the front of the VW roof fit a Speedster windshield top frame will be a hurdle for sure but I'm sure you'll find a way to make it happen. 

Thanks for sharing.....really a nice inspiration to see such beautiful work. 

Last edited by David Stroud IM Roadster D

making progress.  The jig REALLY helps.  roll the car out of the way and fab standing up!  perfect.

anyway...

Step 7: rough in rear window (21cms tall).  i had to make a bunch of cuts to get all the curves right.

Step 8: check with Oly on my measurements (thanks again bro!).  Bang on.  i am going to make the top slightly taller than his for more headroom (i'm kinda tall).

The good folks at Vintage Speedsters (Aron) are sending me some top bow clips.  i'm still not 100% sure how i am going to secure it on the front.

Chuck Martin posted:

I think Chip Foose did a 356 a few years ago with a VW split window, or maybe it was an oval window.

He spliced an oval window into a coupe, Chuck. As expected, there was lots of controversy within the P crowd. I thought it looked pretty good. I think it would look great in a Speedster hard top as well (the copped down rear window doesn't look "quite" right to me), but what do I know...

FYI- Beetles came with split rear windows until early (iIrc March?) 1953 and the oval was replaced by the big window for the 1958 model year.

PS- a pic and everything! That's what happens when I proof read too many times...

Last edited by ALB

Reminds me of a friend of my brother's who bought a 1964 Corvette Coupe and hated it because of the split rear window - the divider bar was always blocking rearward vision.  

So.... He cut the bar out and finished everything off to fit a 1964 Corvette rear window and he was finally happy.

Until he tried to sell it and prospective buyers all wanted the divider bar in there.....

step 9: double check headroom.  i used a long plastic T-trim that i had kicking around from my bus build.  laid it on the roof and used a heat gun to make it the shape of the roof.  let cool, then taped  a 'tension' arm, and then checked headroom.  lots!

Step10: move to front.  how the frick am i going to make this attach.  started with cardboard at the same angle as the roof (see above).

traced inside to get curve of windshield (/windscreen)

Step 11: cut and transfer to roof.

i added another line (same) 1.5" closer to make sure i got everything right.  easier to trim again than to weld it all.

Top clips are on route (thanks Aron! @VS) 

i am going to start to focus on the front supports that will go down beside the windshield posts.

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