making a top for the hapster

[hapster]

Here are some pics of the last couple of days work in the garage.
I was lucky enough to get 15 yards of really good vinyl material 55" wide. I plan to make seat covers after I finish this job.



http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/thee_Hapster/removable_top/


http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/thee_Hapster/removable_top/fitting up the material/

 

[Gastrick]

Looks good hapster. I took the liberty of posting one of the photos from your alblum.

 

[eyesore]

Too cool for school... please keep us posted.

ISore

 

[hapster]

updated pics, almost done with top

Here are some pics of the last couple of days work in the garage.
I was lucky enough to get 15 yards of really good vinyl material 55" wide. I plan to make seat covers after I finish this job.



http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/thee_Hapster/removable_top/


http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/thee_Hapster/removable_top/fitting up the material/

 

[hapster]

finished it. same link on photobucket

 

[racer93]

That top sets your rod off. I have to be honest when I first looked at your bug, I thought eee ok it looks alright, but now that you started that style top,... it just puts your rod in a whole new catagory of COOLNESS.

 

[Shea Laking]

That thing's crazy-cool!

I love that it doesn't look like "just another cut-off Bug." The top's a sweet finishing touch, too.

Regards,
Shea

 

[hapster]

Well after my first attempt at the removable top I am going to make Tuck and Roll seat covers and door panels for the hapster.

I had some trouble with fitting the top material under the sewing machine so I found a commercial machine on Craigs list for $50, table, motor and all. Great right? Only if you know how to sew at 200 MPH!

The machine itself has a nice area to fit the material so I looked into reducing the speed of the machine with belts and pulleys. That cost way too much. I then spotted a speed reducer made just for what I have to the tune of $150. The wife said to get it. But then I saw a replacement motor that cost the same that hooks right up and is variable speed! and is 3/4 hp instead of 1/2 with free shipping. So I bought it.

So. I a few days I will continue this thread with drawings of my design for tuck and roll buckets and interior.

And I will be making another top after the seats are done now that I know a little more of how I want it to work.

If you got pics of any tuck and roll, let me see!

 

[hapster]

Almost forgot I am in the middle of molding the rear fenders into the body and filling the holes. I also ordered a couple of two tube bumpers to play with to see how they will look and am looking for a couple of nicely shaped cycle fenders to attach to the front. It's getting there.

 

[hillbillysurf]

The top gives the car a whole new cool look. Chopped top look instead of top being cut off. Good job and your doing it yourself ! Cool

 

[hapster]

holes filled and fenders molded in

 

[hapster]

holes filled and fenders molded in also front view

 

[hapster]

missing back view

 

[Bonehead]

Cool top!

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Looks good man. You gonna bring it to the Thaw Out next weekend?

 

[hapster]

latest look

Haven't done that much, but now that I have moved I hope to do more than drive it. Although I do enjoy doing that! I am thinking of spraying it with red iron oxide primer and then painting a worn door logo on the sides. Some day I really would like to paint it nice but I still want to do the interior and a new top. I have an old singer commercial machine and table now and plan to really work on it this winter. I am open to any ideas as far as the primer job. I am intrigued by the fake rust paint too.

 

[donsrods]

If you use regular primer you won't have to try for fake rust, you will get it automatically as regular primer is like a sponge and moisture goes right through. If you use epoxy primer (catalyzed) you can leave it forever and it is just like paint as far as blocking moisture.

Don

 

[hapster]

If you use regular primer you won't have to try for fake rust, you will get it automatically as regular primer is like a sponge and moisture goes right through. If you use epoxy primer (catalyzed) you can leave it forever and it is just like paint as far as blocking moisture.

Don

Well I was going to cover any bare metal (there isn't much) with the rust-o-leum rust converter then spray it with the red iron oxide but I probably would be better off with epoxy. I do garage the car and plan on painting it in a year or two.