a roof; buy from Scott or have it made?

I think I might want to put a fiberglass top on for day long drives. I got the stock roll hoop and added my own front hoop to make a full cage. (pics in this thread: https://stalkercars.forumotion.com/t169-bolt-on-full-cage) So the top of my cage may or may not be close enough to Scott's for one of his tops to fit well. I have an EM in to him with his recommendation and if he even has a top ready to ship. But I thought I'd ask out here, has anyone had a top made locally in your area?

I'll have to do some homework since I don't know what's involved in a one-off piece like this. But I'm guessing Scott's supplier should have a mold or some time/cost savings set up already done. I'd have to balance that against shipping cost across the country.

Anyway, any insight for the totally clueless? TIA

If you're just looking for protection from the sun & wind, you could try a soft top; I've heard people have luck with shops that specializes in automotive upholstery, boat canvas, or custom Jeep covers.

I have a fiberglass top from Stalker HQ, btw, and I've enjoyed it. I used removable clamp hinges on the roll-bar supports, and the latch hardware is Scott's design with parts from McMaster. I can dig up p/n's if you want.

Mine is also an XL, but if you want me to take any measurements, just let me know.

Thanks 22, I may take you up on that.

I'll first explore a custom made top here in Sacramento that will fit exactly. If I can find someone, I don't think the cost would be too exorbitant

Scott wasn't too anxious to sell me a top, apparently because my cage is different from his design and wouldn't easily fit exactly. I was prepared to deal with adjustments but I'll look locally first.

And a rag top is not out of the question.

I'm in the same boat. Alterations to my car will prevent Scott's standard roof from fitting. I bought one from him because I'm thinking that making the changes required to make it fit will still be a lot cheaper and easier than starting from scratch with a mold for a one off piece.

Brian

Interesting. can you give me a brief explanation (and pics if you took any) as to why your assumptions about making it fit were wrong?

More ideas and input later; need to talk to some bodywork fabricators first.

Thanks.

I am wondering if heat formed plastic might not be a solution. I posted the question over on the USA 7's forum:

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?11059-Custom-formed-plastic

I'm not sure what you mean about assumptions? I have the roof but haven't gotten around to modifying it to make it fit. My thinking is that any method that requires a mold to build is going to be more expensive and time consuming that modifying one of Scott's to fit.

Brian

Oh, I misunderstood. I got the idea that you were not hopeful or were not gonna try to modify it to fit.

I agree that modifying something close is likely easier and better looking than a custom one-off. I sent pics of my cage and Scott said unequivocally his top wouldn't fit. End of discussion. I should have clarified that I'm willing to mess with it to make it fit and would be OK if it didn't look as good as his factory fit with factory cage.

I'd be interested to know what alterations make the stock roof a difficult fit for you. pics in the gallery for your car show a stock full cage. Did you add some additional cross members?

We're on the same page; Let me know how it goes. Thanks.

What Gallery ? The guy that built my car custom made some very nice fiberglass trim pieces around the windshield. Then I added some upper side bars that swing out for better roll over protection. All that prevents the roof from fitting as designed. I thought about making an aluminum roof which wouldn't be to hard but then decided starting with Scott's and changing the front edge would be easier. Today fiberglass mods are easy I don't use the polyester resin that used to make the original. I use epoxy "west system" resin. The cure is slower and the bond is much better than polyester. Awlgrip makes a bunch of epoxy fairing compounds that bond better sand easier and cure slower. Iv'e been able to do some major re construction myself after track damage using these marine products.

Brian

"......What Gallery?..........Then I added some upper side bars that swing out for better roll over protection......"

Berube's build gallery for M-002. He notes on the thumbnail that you now own it. http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20426

OK, mods to the top part of the cage explains it. All I saw was the stock cage.
http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20470

To difficult to explain I'll have to get some pics and post them.

Brian

There is reference to SCOTT who apparently manufactures tops for Brunton. Does anyone has the contact for Scott

Who is scott.Is there a contact number. Iam looking to get a top for my Brunton

Scott is Scott Minehart, who is the kit maker now, taking over the biz from Dennis Brunton. Go to the StalkerCars.com website and get his contact info there. And I'm guessing you haven't been there so you should take a look at the individual owner/builder portfolios in the Gallery page.

FWIW, I had an auto upholsterer make a canvas top for mine. I think it's much more in keeping with the basic/utilitarian look of the car and the 60's era. I had them sew in a stiff piece of plastic so that it doesn't flap which I believe it would after several thousand miles .

Be happy to post some pics if you're interested.

Ted, Thanks for the information. It would be great if you could post some pictures of the top or I could send you my email address.

Thanks.

Here's a few. As noted before, it is a one-off, sized and made for the frame.

well, let's try again to get these uploads to stick.

OK, let's try just one.

OK that worked, how about the rest?

Thank you Ted. Awesome. Since you are in California. I purchased my Brunton from Jim Winston out of San Francisco. You might know my Brunton.