Customs aren’t exactly common CC fodder, but I shoot them as I see them. And this one did catch my attention, although not enough attention to check out the details of the top (mechanism). Anyway, I’m going to be spare with my words while I get the next chapter of CCCCC together. Anyway, this doesn’t need a lot of explanation; it speaks for itself pretty clearly, except whether that top is real or a fake.
Truth is, I have this nagging feeling that this “top” might be fake; a hard shell that is lifted off. Well padded and disguised of course, and I could be wrong, but…
The interior has been…updated. I like the dash, but modern steering columns I find less appealing.
So what’s the verdict? Real folding top or fake? I would have taken a closer look, but the owner, who (surprise) works in a body shop across the street, was a bit nervous when he saw me looking into his missing rear windows, especially in this part of town. Understandable, but it created an atmosphere where I somehow didn’t feel like asking him about whether the top was fake or not.
Too much of that Bug is removed for me to figure out a year on this model; but the layout looks suspiciously like a pre-Karmann era Cabriolet. They were advertised in Europe around 1950, with rather contrived styling.
I suspect this chopper used those photos as a model. I’m with you; I’m guessing the top is a removable shell. The lines don’t look like they’d work to fold up very well.
Fake, Look at the rear RH corner, there is no mechanism visible. I agree that the folding lines don’t make sense, and the canvas is so thick that folding it would make a big obstruction. The top of the windshield frame is very thin and is not reinforced to support the tension from the canvas top.
I’d bet it was a fake top.
Reminds me of an M & M peanut with half a nut inside.
None of you guys knows what a “Carson top” is? That’s one kool Bug.
I do, but those didn’t show the bows of the “convertible” frame and use convertible top material like this VW does.
It definitely looks like a Carson-style top to me. Carson tops are generally made out of convertible top material, which may be vinyl or cloth. The one on this Bug appears to be vinyl. The builder just didn’t use much padding so you can see the framework a bit. In your second shot, you can see through the windshield that the top is thick and the inside of it is upholstered.
http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Carson_Top
Paul, I concur with your feeling of the updated dash and steering wheel. The gauges seem appropriate; I always find a modern steering column in a custom troubling. It just seems out of place.
A removable hardtop isnt “fake”, its just one solution. Personally, I love it, that bug is hot!
When it comes to bugs, I’ve got both feet in the restoration camp so this one doesn’t do much for me. It’s on the street though, and mine’s in pieces in the garage so +1 for this custom. Two additional questions though:
1 – Where does the cooling air for the motor come from? The stock grille above the decklid is gone and those louvers don’t look like they flow enough air
2 – Is there any genuine horsehair padding in that top or in the seats? It is a required material to get the famous VW interior smell.