Custom interior, Hardtop

[racydave]

Picked up a hardtop this weekend, also got the new fiberglas dash today. I pulled the seats out and most of the carpet. Also took the soft top off, and do not plan on puttin it back on. I should be able to stop all the water leaks now, and was pleased to see the floor pans looking healthy! Just one dime sized hole. The seat bolts were in poor shape, one pulled out of the lower seat. The interrior all is poor, and I want to pretty her up! I have alot of ideas on what all I can now do. I guess well see what happens! Any off the wall Ideas welcome. Dave

[mbouse]

yer not putting the rag top back on the Spider? Ever?

[mdrburchette]

Aren't you planning to go topless soon? Just wondering why you wouldn't replace the convertible top. I've got a hardtop sitting in the garage but it needs to be reworked. Could you send pics of yours where it latches front and back so I know how it's supposed to work?

[racydave]

Im goin to keep the old top, I need to fab the hardtop so I can take it on and off easilly. There are only 4 mounting spots, 2 on the w/shield, 2 behind doors. I think I could be missin Brackets associated with rear mounts. And with the softtop off, my fab parts might not work w a softtop on. I was thinking about using latches from s/top . talks cheap, pics later.

[racydave]

I thought Id take this back to its birth place. This has been an ongoing project. Seems that I work in spurts and Im feeling froggy now. I started making a console this past winter, and got frustrated. It sat a few months and I did other things. Well I got back on it this last few weeks, and It is coming along. I made a dummie console out of Various items, and plaster. I ended up finishing the plaster with dry-wall mud, and sealing it. Alot of primer and rasping, sanding. Ive got it in a sealing primer now, and am bondoing some smaller spots. It looks like its almost done and ready to install, but this is just the dummie to make a negative fiberglas mold. I have the fiberglas stuff ready, and hopefully will make the negative mold this weekend. My pics are here.http://flickr.com/photos/wwwfiatspidercom/2801698174/

[racydave]

Im shoppin for a new top, but tryin to talk myself into a vinyl one cauz the bucks for kanvas are soo much!

[mbouse]

dave...go vinyl. the rear window is the first thing to go for either top, and it is the same on canvas and vinyl.

save the bucks for the '61

[rlux4]

I know what you mean Dave. Every time I see Ace's canvas top I get itchy fingers that want to reach for the checkbook. The only thing that stops me is a second thought. The second thought is "my wife would kill me".
Ron

[racydave]

Thanks Ron, but now you got me thinkin envious thoughts about Alvons car. Mine ( now ) is red with the same Rosevelts Alvon has. Alvon is a great guy, but a bad influence! Guess Ill need to paint it a different color!

[mbouse]

well dave, i could come down and help. i have an affinity for paint, as you and the resto the board knows.

[racydave]

Mike, Im going to wait untill after FUN, then take her to my buddies shop to do the body work. Then we will take it to the body shop where he works to paint! I think I have decided on a color???

[mbouse]

o.k. if you insist.

i was gonna show you the magic of crackle.

[mdrburchette]

Dave, your console mold is looking good, but when the shifter is installed, will it have clearance for shifting?
Dang, I didn't realize Alvon had a canvas top. I've been debating over getting one for mine. The back glass is fine but the edges are cracking and frayed. I also wanted to see if canvas was more quiet with the top up. Alvon, you'll just have to drive back across the US so I can check this out a little more.

[racydave]

Denise, I know it looks rather large on the bench, but I built the form in the car. If it all copies and fits Ill be very happy!