his is high on our list of indisputable facts: roadsters and phaetons look great without a top. Riding fully exposed to the elements can be enjoyable or torturous, depending on the conditions, and if your journey is long enough, you will undoubtedly experience hefty doses of both. Taking on that long-distance trip without a top is something almost every roadster owner does at least once. It’s a rite of passage, an initiation into the coveted “real roadster guy” club. Heck, some hardcore roadster and phaeton tours even prohibit tops.

While some hot rodders opt to go topless multiple times or don’t have a top at all, for others, it seems reasonable to seek shelter. If possible, the decision to have a top on your roadster or phaeton should be made early in the building process as structural considerations are best addressed prior to bodywork and paint. Possibly the biggest challenge is to make your hot rod look at least as good with a top on it as it does topless. We have seen many roadsters where the top enhances the hot rod’s overall look and attitude.

There are numerous options for hot rod tops. If you’re working with an original car, there’s a good chance you have the original top bows. In this world of hammered lids, the stock irons can be modified to create a new profile. Aftermarket universal top bows are also available for 1928-34 Fords, offered in both chopped and stock heights. Work carefully and both can be modified while maintaining the fold-down feature.

The other option is to build your own top bows. While this may seem daunting, using tubing and the proper bending tools can bring this within the reach of many talented home builders. Steel, aluminum, or stainless steel tubing is suitable for the bows, and practicing using electrical conduit is an affordable way to get a feel for the job. If you want to build your own top profile and incorporate a fold-down feature, beginning the design with a universal top kit will help with the proper engineering.

The final choice is a lift-off top. These one-piece units can be purchased in fiberglass, and, generally, most fiberglass body manufacturers offer a fiberglass top. When dealing with cars from 1937 and later, the custom-built lift-off top is often referred to as a “Carson Top” and is generally padded and covered with appropriate top material and often incorporates a headliner. This style top adds a period-correct custom style to the car. The one universal problem with lifting tops is this: What do you do with the top after you lift it off? No problem at home; leave it in the garage. But assuming the job of the top was to provide shelter for long drives, you have to leave it in a motel for the day, and carrying a large one-piece top can be a challenge.

The problem with a folding top is similar. A vintage car folding top is often not particularly attractive in the down position. They tend to hang out the back of the car in a style similar to a horse and buggy. One solution is to build a convertible top well into the body, much like late-model cars. That panel lifts up and the top folds down into it and disappears. The Dearborn Deuce 1932 Ford body incorporates this system, but we have also seen it fabricated into fiberglass roadsters. This is not an option on phaetons as there is no body behind the top.

Whether it’s a folding or removable hardtop, the top’s most important aspect is style. Even before providing shelter, the top must have the right profile to match your car’s style. This profile begins at the front with the windshield height and angle and concludes the same way with the appropriate height and angle of the rear window. In between, the shape of the side view opening is crucial. Remember that the top design can make your car appear fast even while stationary or slow, even when it’s in motion.

Generally, the top should start at the front, with an overhang extending over the windshield frame. This setup achieves three things: 1. It looks very cool, 2. It offers some sunvisor effect, and 3. It creates a seal between the top and the windshield. This overhang should be relatively small; remember that it will catch the wind, so ensure your forward fasteners are substantial.

The distance between the windshield post and the first top bow is important as it affects the top proportions. Generally, this is the largest panel of the roof, with the distance between the rear bow and the center bow somewhat shorter. It’s a nebulous term for sure, but finding the proper proportion ultimately comes down to a keen eye. Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and suggestions and ignore some of them.

The final major decision is the angle of the rear valance panel. This is just as important as the windshield angle. These angles range from vertical fuddy-duddy (is that a word?) to rakish bad boy hot rod. Choose the angle that matches the car’s design. The idea is to design a top that’s in perfect harmony with the overall style of the car.

With the angle of the rear panel established, it is time to choose the rear window. Numerous chrome window frames are available from companies like Speedway Motors, among others. Once again, a small “mail-slot” window looks cool, but it’s also important to consider rear visibility. In a more contemporary build, you can integrate the size and shape of the window into the top without a frame. Having the rear valance panel that holds the window zip out is a great option for enjoying a free-flowing breeze while still being sheltered from the sun.

The final decision is about the top material and color. Traditional cloth is always a good choice, and honestly, in our humble opinion, there are only two color options: black and anything in the white-to-tan family. Have we seen other colors that work well? Yes, but getting that unusual color to look right is more difficult than making it look wrong. Looking at a 3×3-inch piece of lavender cloth might seem OK but take that same fabric in a 3×3-foot swatch and things can get bright quickly.

So that’s our styling tips for convertible tops. This story doesn’t provide all the answers, but it includes many of the questions and simply reminds you to think. While you are perusing our selection of great-looking lids, we will leave you with one final thought. If you think this top will keep you dry, you must have never driven a roadster in the rain.