If you've got the dime...read somewhere about convertible conversions on hardtop Z's..South America? (though you don't specify what kind of car you're referring to). Such a search might be a place to start.

"And my soul, from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor, shall be lifted...."

 

That will be nice to have a Full Glass Roof!!

 

Bob,

Not looking for a convertible, but if people can do that then I might be on the right track because it would involve replacing the whole roof, or most of it. Here's an example I managed to find, not the right type of car but it shows what I'm talking about well enough.

Borini63,

Yes, I'm thinking the full glass roof will be pretty cool. Not looking for a moon roof, but I appreciate the offer. I did figure that the whole thing would be cut out and replaced. It's a lot of custom work. I'm thinking it will take a lot of foot work to find it.

 

If it looks like the car pictured above, sounds fantastic.

You may want to contact a company such as this, who may be able to source a larger piece of glass from a bus....or even cut one down from the car in the picture. Note that some tempered glass can't be cut down.

Scratch resistant Lexan may be an option, with great care after installation.
.02c

 

I'm thinking something like the Lexan would be better. I say glass roof, but really, some type of polycarbonate would probably be better. I'm thinking I should be able to find a company that can measure the real roof of the car and cut it to that exact fit so it would be perfect.

sounds like a cool project.

I'm only spitballing here, but the first thing that came to mind was that its gonna essentially make your car into a greenhouse. I assume you'll probably go for a heavy tint?

Other things to consider... maybe weight - a possibly significant as high as possible off the ground might make the car roll a bit, but i kinda doubt it'll be that significant... possibly looking into building extra support (I'm thinking roll cage) around the roofline so any chassis flex isn't directed into your glass ceiling - you wouldn't want that shattering over you.

Yeah, a tinted roof would probably be the route I would go with it. I'd like to be able to see through, it, but it doesn't have to be completely clear, plus, they may have some sort of treatment they could apply to the glass to block the heat.

And I've read that those types of roofs could be heavier, but it depends on the material used I think. I'm betting a type of plastic would be stronger and lighter than actual glass. I'd also ask about the support structure of the roof at the company designing it.

Check with a local windscreen replacement company. They often have suppliers who can manufacture glass in custom sizes/shapes. You'll most likely have to have them work directly with whoever does the body work.
One potential downside that's worth considering is that the car'll likely get very hot in summer. Just the window in the hatch does me in and it's gotta be an order of magnitude worse having an entire glass roof. So you might want to consider using one of 3M's UV screening tints on the interior. Otherwise, you and your interior will literally bake.

That's a good idea. Any company that has contact with a glass supplier, or a glass supplier itself would be a good place to look.

And yeah, I'll definitely ask about tinting it, one to keep it cooler in the car, and two because I think a dark tint will make the roof look better.

 

sounds like a cool project.

I'm only spitballing here, but the first thing that came to mind was that its gonna essentially make your car into a greenhouse. I assume you'll probably go for a heavy tint?

Other things to consider... maybe weight - a possibly significant as high as possible off the ground might make the car roll a bit, but i kinda doubt it'll be that significant... possibly looking into building extra support (I'm thinking roll cage) around the roofline so any chassis flex isn't directed into your glass ceiling - you wouldn't want that shattering over you.

 

Check with a local windscreen replacement company. They often have suppliers who can manufacture glass in custom sizes/shapes. You'll most likely have to have them work directly with whoever does the body work.
One potential downside that's worth considering is that the car'll likely get very hot in summer. Just the window in the hatch does me in and it's gotta be an order of magnitude worse having an entire glass roof. So you might want to consider using one of 3M's UV screening tints on the interior. Otherwise, you and your interior will literally bake.

 

The famous car designer and customizer Darryl Starbird, was doing these tops in the late 50's & early 60's, remember the 'Silhouette'? Among other designers & cars of the era. He has a museum of some of these cars near Tulsa, well worth the price for admission. The most famous bubble top of all time was the X-9000. It now sits in the Henry Ford Museum in Deerborn, MI.

Bonzi Lon