Soft top , What brand is it?

Glad the top mystery got solved.
I would think the cost of producing a lock/latch mechanism like that would eventually kill it.
Maybe there were patent/copyright problems .
So the latch mechanism and the side window roll back were different than the others.

 

The bloodhounds are still tracking--no sight of the quarry yet!

 

Dave as I mentioned before I thought Bestop was still selling a version of this top for the cj6. Jeepermc has some pictures of his on page 11 of his build. If remember correctly I believe Timgr installed one on his cj6 not too long ago. I really liked the top I had - it was called the craftsman (by Bestop) and had velcro in addition to the snaps along the body. The door edges were also padded to help seal to the body. None of that really mattered when we had no shift boots and the clutch and brake pedals went through the floor. It does not seem that people are not too happy with the quality of the cj6 top (called tigertop now) so my dream of shortening one for my cj5 will probably never materialize. I do think however it would be really cool if Tarry could have his top lengthened to fit his cj6...

 

The cj5 tigertop doesn't look too appealing to me. The supertop does seem like a nice top but just looks to new to me - like its meant to be on a jeep yj. Ihave thought of using a supertop and then retrofitting some older one piece doors for a more vintage look but again I am just dreaming and am years from needing to worry about a soft top for my jeep anyways...

 

You must be reading my mind...........Not to say I would use that top on my CJ6 project as first off trying to find the exact same material would probably nix that..........But I have been gathering parts to eventually build a combination hard / soft top for my 6 when finished............and I do see this old top at least serving as a foundation for patterns if needed for the later top that will get built.

 

Cutting BesTop a little slack--at least they're offering tops to the early CJ crowd--can't imagine it's the most lucrative line, and they're providing jobs in the good ole' USA.

I'm not aware if BesTop has anyway set up to take feedback on their products, but I bet they wouldn't be opposed to it--if asked. Again, as noted, there are a lot of employees depending on BesTop for their "bread and butter".

 

Nope ...............they were purpose built................... I've built enough stuff that I can tell the difference between something that was an old part that was now being re-used in a different place. The door parts are all basic flat sheet metal.........simple in design , but yet practical and functional..............the same basic materials and equipment needed to build those were in the shop at Bestop.

Let us not forget if we were to go back 45 years to 1970 and walked into Bestops shop , there perhaps would have been only a handful of people working there making these tops............and more than likely this all started off as a spin off from another business whereby these folks maybe were making there living in the Upholstery business or perhaps even the Canvas business.

Now I'll give credit , where credit is do..........Hats off to whomever at Bestop came up with the Idea , sourced the locking door handles , spring and the S-clip and put it all together......the arm pad would have been as simple as a piece of Nagahyde and some stiff foam stapled to a piece of wood.................. Creative Yes..............but that was the norm then.

The Business Atmosphere , along with the folks of that generation when asked to build a "One Off" item always had an open mind and most times the simple and quick answer was , Sure why not!

I'll bet the Owner or someone else there that liked to tinker , came up with this prototype Door Handle & Door , built a few , maybe distributed them to there dealers as an option and then later dropped the Idea.
Happened all the time.

 

What from the inside opens the latch? Does the armrest serve the purpose by sliding forward?

 

I suppose it depends on how long your arms are. Sorry, I'm sort of good at that type of answer.
My first top was a Kayline, nice top but wasn't 100% water tight. As if any of them are. I made the mistake of trying to put it on in the middle of winter. A nice rip but nothing a piece of canvas and some Tandy Leatherworks rivets and glue didn't fix.
Just sort of wondering, all three brands of tops seem to be from here in CO. Kayline, Whitco and Bestop tended to be companys from around here. Nobody else made them?
My brothers '71 CJ6 has a almomd colored Kayline. Only one I have ever seen in that color. I told him to park it in his his garage.

 

I was typing when Glenn added the above,

The arm rest raise's / pivots up in the front........the pivot point is the center of the door locking mechanism with the metal clip on it..........raise the arm rest and the motion changes direction at the other end compressing the spring and releasing the door striker.........when closing you would grab the metal frame and pull the door closed with about the same force that it took door an average car door to close and engage the striker.

Simple but efficient , worked very well and was a very positive lock in the since of door opening safety.

 

Guess to narrow that question down there's three more questions?

1. Who made soft-tops for Sears
2. Who made soft- tops for Montgomery Wards
3. Who made soft-tops labeled--Panorama

 

Might add JC Whitney to that column , been in Business since 1915................back in the day they sold allot of Jeep Parts through there Catalog. Bought a few trinkets from them , not of any high quality , but just the same there Catalog was always exciting to see it show up in the mail.