So you’re in the market for a new convertible top for your car. What are the benefits of a Carson top? They’re padded, non-folding, chopped tops that are made by hand and cost an arm and a leg. You may be wondering how to make one. But before you dive into the process, there are a few things you need to consider first. Here’s how to build a Carson top:
Carson tops are removable, non-folding, padded, chopped tops
A removable, padded, chopped top was one of the first types of custom vehicle tops and was created in 1935 by the Carson Top Shop in Southern California. It quickly became a popular option for chopped cars in California and the US. The design was also popular in the Southern and Northern California regions. Here are some facts about this style of top. The name “Carson Top” is derived from the Carson Top Shop in Carson, California.
The Carson Top Shop was a shop that specialized in custom and hot rod work and soon became popular with the general public. It also saw a market for these types of tops on sports cars, and ordered a top for his 1930 Ford Model A convertible. After the top was popular, he expanded his business and created special jigs for cars and other customs.
They are built by hand
If you own a convertible car, you might be interested in learning more about a unique type of convertible top – a Carson Top. They are made to fit a wide variety of foreign and domestic cars, and their craftsmanship is unmatched by any other brand. During their peak production years, the Carson Top Shop was producing up to fifteen tops per week. Today, they build tops for every type of vehicle, from vintage sports cars to contemporary SUVs.
The original construction of a Carson top involved salvaging convertible top parts, adding additional steel stock to strengthen the superstructure, and forming side window frames. In addition to the frame, padding and cotton batting were affixed to the base. A top fabric was then shaped, using fine pebble-grain Haartz cloth and Nitrite-treated material. After assembling the top material, the seams were hand-stitched on a worktable, and the resulting top resembled the car’s original top.
The original Carson Top Shop was located in Southern California. The padded top was first used on a chopped custom in 1937. Once the custom became popular, the top was widely copied throughout Southern and Northern California and eventually across the US. Although the first top was made for a Ford Model A convertible, most modern cars now sport a Carson top. While the original top may have been made for a stock-height car, today, they’re mostly used on custom cars and hot rods.
While a Carson top is a challenging project for most people, Guildner’s approach is surprisingly easy. The basic building process is not rocket science, but it requires plenty of patience and eyeballing. A patient garage builder can pull one together in a weekend, but an experienced upholsterer will likely need a few more days of training. And it’s a good idea to have the car inspected by an upholsterer before the top is installed.
They cost a lot
The basic design for a Carson top is similar to that of a tin can. The only difference is that it is built by hand with electrical conduit and wire mesh. Guildner says that the process isn’t rocket science, but it takes a lot of eyeballing. The result is an eye-catching top that catches everyone’s attention. The top costs between $800 and $1,500.
While the first Carson tops cost $125-$175 each, they eventually started to become very popular. Some celebrities commissioned them, including Clark Gable (‘The King’s Speech’), and even Clark Gable himself ordered one for his Jaguar XK-120. In 1948, Houser hired a young man named Robert Houser to help him with the business. He began by welding frames for the tops.
Glen Houser and Amos Carson had a passion for hot rods and custom cars. They also saw the potential in the sports car market. After receiving the order from the renowned actor Clark Gable, the shop soon saw an increase in business. In the late 1930s, the market for Carson tops began to decline and the top shop moved to a new location. The last Carson top to leave the shop was one built for George Barris in 1965.
The first Carson tops were built in California. The car owner could select a design that would suit his taste and personality. The top’s framework is formed from metal stock and welded together to form a strong, rigid frame. The frame is then bolted to convertible brackets. The interior of the top varies greatly depending on the individual, and can match the car’s interior or even be made from glass or other materials.
They are a convertible top
The Carson Convertible Top is a non-folding, padded, and upholstered car top that is removable. It was invented in 1935 by Bob Houser, who worked for Amos Carson in his Los Angeles top shop. While the first Carson Top was probably made for a Ford Model A convertible, they are now most commonly found on hot rods and custom cars. The interior of a Carson Convertible Top is usually made of leather or suede, and many models even came with rear window designs and coordinating fabrics.
The original part on the Carson Convertible is the diamond-shaped back panel, which incorporates the inner framework. The new top also features a template for the rear window, which opens wider than the old one. This design will make your car look much more luxurious and add to its value. This car will look fantastic with a custom-made convertible top. While you’re at it, consider the following upgrades. Here are some ideas for how to modify your own car’s convertible top.
Before choosing a Carson Convertible Top for your car, check the condition of the windows and the interior upholstery. For instance, a 1953 top will set you back $200, but a 1950 or earlier top may only cost $175. If you’d like to customize your car’s top, you can also consult an encyclopedia on custom cars. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of custom car tops, you can check out Kustomrama.
The 1940s Ford Sedan Convertible with a Carson Convertible top. This car has an incredible history and is still available today. It was owned by Melford Robbins, a famous Hollywood actor and singer. The car is still around today, thanks to the American Hot Rod Foundation. You can find similar vintage cars for sale at local car shows. There’s something special about the vintage look of a classic car. You may even find a perfect fit for your car.
They are made by Glen Houser
The Carson top is a classic custom car accessory, and is made by Glen Houser. Glen Houser created this style of top back in 1935. The padded top was named for the French couchbuild cars of the time. The original top is missing, but there are several replicas on the market. Glen Houser’s design is considered the first padded top. The padded top is a necessity for any custom car.
In the mid-1930s, Glen Houser, a native of Nebraska, moved to Los Angeles to work with Amos Carson. He took over the business when Carson died in 1942 and expanded it into a custom upholstery shop. By the late 1940s, the business was no longer as successful as it once was, and Houser began to add his name to interior tags. See Glen Houser’s interior tag below.
The Carson Top Shop was Amos Carson’s upholstery shop, and it was located at 4910 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. He moved from Salinas, California, where he had operated a pool hall. Houser began to build the first non-folding padded smooth lined top for a 1930 Ford Model A convertible. Within a few years, he was making tops for hot rods and custom cars.
The Carson Top is almost completely new. Fastened to the body by two bolts in the rear and the convertible bow in the windshield, the top is formed over a frame of metal bows. The front bows are then welded to the front convertible bow. The top is then covered with several layers of fabric or jute. Cotton or a variety of other fabrics is used for the outside material. The buttons and flap are covered in faux leather.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.