Kirkham soft top

BMK · #1 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 02:40 PM

Hi guys,

Has anyone made up hood bows or a complete soft top for a Kirkham?

As we get hit with some very wet and cold winter days in Australia, I am keen to have a top in my boot/trunk.

Any pictures or ideas would be great - to see how you clear roll bars etc. material used etc. etc.

Thanks in anticipation.

Steve Cassani · #2 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 03:05 PM

A post on the subject, a few months old...

Soft Top for CSX / Kirkham CSX 4000

BMK · #3 (**permalink**) 06-18-2012, 02:41 PM

Steve

Thanks for the link. I did look through the "Threads" and "Posts" and missed it.

Thanks again.

Bernie

Steve Cassani · #4 (**permalink**) 06-19-2012, 07:29 AM

I face the same problem, putting together sources for materials and parts that can be assembled into a top for a Kirkham slabside. Here is a source for good quality top material:

The Haartz Corporation - Cloth Convertible Topping

I'll ask these folks to build side-curtain frames from the specifications I provide:

https://www.europaspares.com/product...S___CSSS_.html

A lot depends on the ability of local craftsmen to fabricate a custom top and side curtains when the car is available to them. There are a couple of shops in Montana whose work crafting interiors and tops for hot rods is first-rate. I don't know yet how interested they will be in building weather gear for the slabside, or what they will charge for the project. I prefer making the car available to a local fabricator to sending measurements to a shop out of town. That way we can discuss the advantages of lexan vs plexiglass, top and liner materials, all that sort of stuff. And the builder will have the exact angle of the windshield to the body and the locations of the ferules in the doors. These I believe are critical to building a top and side curtains that work on a replica at least as well as the originals.

BMK · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2012, 12:24 PM

Tnx for the links and the feedback. I want to use the older style grain vinyl and it is good to see it is still available. Absolute Pace the east coast distributor of the Kirkhams for Australia contacted me and told me - "my guys will talk to their guys and it will all be sorted for you". Mmmm now I know why I went to Absolute Pace. Tnx again guys. Tnx Craig at Absolute Pace also. Bernie

B.M.B.C · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2012, 02:17 PM

Gerry Hawkridge at Hawk Cars has a hood and weather gear for kirkham 289 .

Steve Cassani · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2012, 03:57 PM

B.M.B.C. gives news better than any I have ferreted. Thanks!

BMK · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2012, 10:10 PM

Tnx again. Gives me options and ideas as to how I can do it.

fordracing65 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2012, 04:26 AM

You can't go over 60mph with a soft top on, why the hell do you want a soft top in a cobra, it's hard enough keeping these car under 100mph.

B.M.B.C · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-2012, 08:16 AM

Thanks. Gerry has a couple nice hardtops available too.

hinoonaz · #11 (**permalink**) 06-18-2015, 10:46 PM

Okay, I bite ! Why can't you go over 60 with a soft top?
Gary

fordracing65 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-18-2015, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinoonaz

Okay, I bite ! Why can't you go over 60 with a soft top?
Gary

It will come off in the wind, I have seen them rip right off the car like an umbrella in a wind storm...they are cool for cruising, I think the Superformance soft top recommends staying under 55mph to keep it on, I had mine up to 70mph with it on when I had my SPF and it was ready to fly...

1795 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-19-2015, 02:46 AM

Then I guess you have to go with an ERA, had the car at highway speeds with the soft top and no pulling or lifting.

fordracing65 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-19-2015, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1795

Then I guess you have to go with an ERA, had the car at highway speeds with the soft top and no pulling or lifting.

Exactly, until it flies away with no warning...

JBCOBRA · #15 (**permalink**) 06-19-2015, 07:52 AM

I cruise at 80+ all the time with the SPF soft top. Just open the back window some to depressurize. I think I hit over 100 few times, because I totally forgot the top was on..doh

DanEC · #16 (**permalink**) 06-19-2015, 10:13 AM

I haven't actually tried my ERA soft top out at much over 60 but I think it would be fine on the highway as long as the side curtains are on. Without the side curtains in I don't really want to go much over about 40 in it - too much buffetting, shaking and lifting, especially if there is some wind also.

fordracing65 · #17 (**permalink**) 06-19-2015, 12:39 PM

Just carry a go pro with you guys going fast, it will make for an awesome video with a soft top flying into traffic behind you, lol...