Convertible top kit for convertible sedan

Posted by Joe Santana On 2011/5/2 9:52:31

Do you know of anyone who makes a kit?

I know that today I'm paying 10 times what I paid for a cup of coffee in 1971, and 20 times what I paid in 1960, but does that hold true for convertible tops, too?

In 1960, I had a custom top made for $125 in San Jose. In 71, about $350. Now I'm looking at something sililar to coffee nflation for a custom top for the 1940 Duchess 160 conv sedan.

In 1971, the shop that put the last new top on her bought a pre-cut kit from someone, (I thought Bill Hirsch, but they don't make them or don't make them anymore I was told). I remember it was a kit because the snaps were a couple inches off on one side from where they should have been and the shop drilled holes in the top frame rails to use the incorrect positions.

I recently checked with Kanter and Kepich. No luck there. The shop said checked with Hirsch.

If I have to bite the bullet, so be it. Labor of love as you know. Do you know of anyone who makes a kit?