The Upholstery Forum

I'm thinking of a winter project of making a convertible top to replace my old 20 year old ragtop on a 1961 Sunbeam Alpine.
Any chance The Lucky needle will have a course on this?
Some questions are like what material to use ( good quality material will be about half the cost of the cheapest premade top) - Everflex British Vinyl, Stayfast Cloth, twillfast cloth?
What gauge plastic window - 30, 40?
Any other notes or suggestions I should be aware of?

@John Miller , Aside from wheels this may be one of the biggest challenges even for a seasoned trimmer. I admire you for wanting to challenge this.

If you will do a search on YouTube. there is a video on making a scratch made top by Steve Holcomb for a ‘59 Impala. Steve used a factory rear curtain and scratch made the top.

He does a beautiful job of it and explains the process very well. I think you will find it worth looking at.

I am just finishing up a convertible top and would also consider making it myself, if I had it to do over again. The top fits well and is pretty wrinkle free but I wish it came down farther on the sides over the doors. That can only be controlled if you make your pwn top.

I also wish @John would add a top course but there is enough information out there that you can do it. Especially, if you have an old top for a pattern.

John

Beautiful and encouraging!!!!

Unfortunately I dont have much experience making Convertible tops from scratch. Most people go with the ready made tops available for most cars.
I have seen actual convertible to fabrics for sale at Keystone bros but I dont remember the name of it.

Keep us updated on how the project goes if decide to go for it!

Just to be clear, The top on my car is a Kee brand top. I did not make it, nor, have I ever made one from scratch.. I hope my post was not misleading.

I do believe I could make a top that would, in some ways, fit better, but I would probably not go to the trouble and aggravation to make the rear curtain and/or window.

John