Hardtop Project

john4337 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2023, 12:23 PM

Thought I'd post an update. I ended up adding some more glass, then filling and blocking it down with 80 grit. its not completely symmetrical, but I'm not sure it was when I started. Plan now is to lay down some high build primer and block it some more.

DanEC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2023, 05:45 AM

Well, if it’s not completely symmetrical that will just be in keeping with the rest of a typical Cobra body.

john4337 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2023, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Well, if it’s not completely symmetrical that will just be in keeping with the rest of a typical Cobra body.

My thoughts exactly

john4337 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2023, 04:37 PM

I'm in a holding pattern awaiting arrival of the primer and new gaskets, so I moved on the the relocation of the wind wings. I plan on building side curtains so the clamp mounts needed to go. A buddy of mine had some mounting hardware so I went at it. Drilling the sidebar is nerve wracking, because, unlike fiberglass, there are no do overs. I got the top mounting block where I needed it and used the full wing assembly to locate the bottom block.

john4337 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2023, 04:05 PM

Well, at least it’s all one color.

john4337 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2023, 03:51 PM

Well, I’ve sanded down to 180 and filled some small defects. The gaskets I ordered arrived, so I wanted to see if they’ll work out. I clearly have to do a bit of glass work at the anchor points behind the doors, but I knew those cuts were a wild guess

PDUB · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2023, 10:04 PM

it is coming along nicely!

indianamoon · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2023, 05:19 PM

Very impressed with what you have been doing. Not sure I would've taken on as much as you. Great job, keep it up. BTW, nice color on your car

john4337 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2023, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indianamoon

Very impressed with what you have been doing. Not sure I would've taken on as much as you. Great job, keep it up. BTW, nice color on your car

Thank you!

I'm not sure I would have had I known what I was getting into.

I'm looking forward to seeing how your top turns out.

PDUB · #10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2023, 11:01 PM

Looking really good, John!

john4337 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-14-2023, 07:02 PM

After a lot of thought, I decided to farm out the paint. Mike at Spotlight Customs knocked it out of the park. He generously gave me an A+ on the prep work. The last photo shows the test panel used when I built the car 12 years ago.

PDUB · #12 (**permalink**) 07-14-2023, 09:12 PM

Nice work!

john4337 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-31-2023, 05:55 PM

Time for another update. I decided i wanted a more finished look than a spray in finish, so I took a run at headliner.

I primed the inside and scuffed with 150 grit to (hopefully) give the adhesive something to grab

For material I used this, perforated textured vinyl with 1/8 foam backing to help hide my uneven fiberglass work. I ordered 3 yards.

In it goes. I ended up using 3 large sections, and a smaller piece at the windscreen. Lots of compound curves in there.

This is the windscreen section. I used a length of rope glued in to create a bead and to get the curves I needed.

Next the windows go back in. They didn’t go back anywhere as easily as they came out.

I apparently changed the shape of the back window opening enough to cause issues, so I made a pattern and trimmed the window some.

Once it was back in, I tucked the material behind the window gaskets, and made some beading to cover the seams, ending up with this.