New Camper Top Availability

I'm wondering if there would be any interest in new pop-up camper tops? I have been coresponding with Sportsmobile on wether their Penthouse top would fit 60's Econolines. It regretably won't, nor can it be modified to fit the vintage vans. I sugested they might be missing a potential market segment there is after all 1500+ members here on VV alone.She was unaware there was such a large group of vintage vans fans around. Chime in with your thoughts(as if anyone here needs encourgement in expressing yourself) . Thanks

Many new ideas are to do the vans like the old fabric VW camper tops- should be nice as there are some companys building these .Happy vannin

Hate to burst your bubble, but no for me and my vans....

No burst bubbles here, not sure it is something I would do. It was just one of those stray thoughts I had when I ran across their website & checked to see if they were still making them to fit the older vans. Was a little surprise they no longer did, but more surprised that a company that has been making the camper popup tops for vans since the early sixties was unaware of the large number vintage van owners.

Not that many camper vans left... Only speaking for myself but I wouldnt even consider cutting my top off of any of my vans to put a camper top on them if they gave me one & installed it for free with a lifetime warranty.... I don't think that you would find to many vintage van owners that has a van without on already on it that would want one...

I am sure that a good customizing shop can make a replacement top or repair the one that you have on your van. There is a van customizing business in Chattanooga Tn that specializes in customizing vans named Choo Choo Customs that has customized vans for Chevrolet & Ford motor company for years that you could contact about possibly making replacement tops for the vans if you came up with enough orders for it to be worth their while.

Mine had a camper top. Looked like what is called a freeway traveler but I always questioned if it was an aftermarket addition. It was wooden framed but the wood was not visible. The whole top was covered in aluminum sheet. Lots of caulk keeping it all sealed up. When this opened it raised only at the front and had canvas on each side. Anyways, I always thought the one on mine looked hideous. So, when I took over the van from my dad that was the first thing I took off. I just loved the shape of the original van. But the thing is I loved the whole Idea of it being a camper van also without the top so bulky. So at first I played with the idea of having a flat top that lay flat at the same level as the roof but would lift with hydraulics to keep the original shape of the vans. They were just ideas. The hole in my roof is currently just patched but is eventually becoming a custom ragtop. Althought I do have a complete spare roof in the garage just in case. I would never convert a solid van though,but, if I had come across an original travel cruiser first generation Chevy I'd leave it as is. Those do look pretty nice...Its something different.
-66BeachCruiser

I agree totally with you if I had one with a camper top & would love to have one I wouldn't even dream of taking the top off of it.... The hydraulic top idea would be cool and I am sure it could be done....

As an old VW Westy (pop-top) camper guy I have to say I really miss being able to pull up about anywhere, pop the top, have an open bed and be able to stand up and stretch my back. So, I'd be a good candidate for doing same to mine if I could afford. Thanks for the heads up.

One thing is for sure is, with a camper it's far easier to drive yourself to drink...
As for the camper tops, almost any canvas repair, tent repair type place can tackle that kind of job. We have one here that does really good work. They do vinyl tops too.

The older Alunimum camper tops for the earlys are hard to find=the ones that pop-up in like 5 seconds. My chev has one & I also do have a spare-very early style- I do believe to be a early 61 model as its windows are cut in an elongated form-not rectangular like on mt 67 chev den2 van.

Twinpilot001 wrote:The older Alunimum camper tops for the earlys are hard to find=the ones that pop-up in like 5 seconds. My chev has one & I also do have a spare-very early style- I do believe to be a early 61 model as its windows are cut in an elongated form-not rectangular like on mt 67 chev den2 van.

Ahhhyesss, I guess I assumed this was about canvas, metal would be a whole other thing..
I like those metaltops. I've never seen one in person though.

cant find a pic, but have seen some that are fiberglass and "almost" look stock but it was on '70's vans.when closed, it only raised roof line a couple inches. as much as i would like one, i think it wouldnt look right on the first gen. at least not for the look i want.

My thoughts were really more in line with a complete top, such as is offered on the Sportsmobile products.
http://sportsmobile.com/1_penthouse-top.html

I would suggest that you contact that company & try to get them to start manufacturing them for the A, G & E vans. Maybe if they got enough pre orders they might consider manufacturing them... Most all company's in this economy might be willing to expand their line of tops offered.... That's how M1D got the ball rolling on the disk brake conversion kits for the 1st & 2nd gen vans I think??? Just a suggestion... I know of I owned a company that sold the tops I would consider it with enough orders...

ya, thats similar to what i meant. some earlies could pull it off. 4x4 or lifted for sure, but i am going for more of a hot rod look, and think the roof line is important. i wont evan install a vent for that reason. sure wish i could have both.

That's were this tread started, I stumbled across their website, wondered if they still made tops for the older vans(they don't), wondered if there would be any interest if they did.My take on the tread so far is; no interest from those who have vans with uncut roofs, & maybe some interest from those who already have a big hole in the roof.