Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

[Joseph T.]

Roy

Here is a picture of one of the original bubble tops!

The picture was sent to me years ago from the original owners son. He and his father drove their 54 from St.Louis to Chicago for installation of the top.

During the ride home they were drenched with rainwater coming through the poorly fit weatherstip.

They also cooked like a green house when the sun came out..so they later painted the inside of the bubbletop a metallic silver.

If you notice this is the same car featured on page 37 of Nolands book with some later paint scheme but same wire wheels.

It is a long shot..but it could even be the same car I bought years ago and restored..the car I bought had the same english sport mirror...which I still have.

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

I like it, yes my original green bubble top will burn you but the ones I reproduce are UV protected and don't burn you and ( like sun glasses tinted) the ones I've sold are all back east. Can you still contact the guy for info???

Here is a guy in San Diego in 1956 and is now 82 that sent me this pic. of him in a 54 with the bubble Top he later in years sold.

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

How do you like my 60 Corvette I just got and added a bubble Top ( see next pic)

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

And it don't burn you!

[Joseph T.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

Roy

There was a double bubble top I liked better. I think it was prototyped in Tennessee..If I remember correctly...I have a picture somewhere...Joe

Regarding the St.Louis bubble top 54!

The original owners son Harry Mc Williams Jr. could still be in St.Louis. My original article was in the Restorer Vol.11 #1, 1984

[Joseph T.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

Roy

I remember another one pictured in the Blue Flame..owned by Sid Diamond.

[Tom B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

Those tops are very space age looking but I like them. I remember the Restorer article you did. I feel sorry for the pooch in the original picture. No wonder he's panting.

What do you think about the wire wheels pictured? A friend had the same ones on his '54. He took them off of a '55 Bel Air convertible that he bought from the original owner. The guy bought the '55 new and was a Chevy salesman at the local dealer.

Tom

[Joseph T.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

Tom

I think the wire wheels look great! Roy can probably talk more about their availabilty in 54.

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

GM offered them in 53 to 55 Called them Motor Wheels .They were accessories for 53 to 55 Corvette or Car , also was offered for 53 to 55 Buick , mostly seen on their Road Master's. Vary Rare to day to ever see them.

[Tom B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

They look beautiful on that '55. I had the twin to that car (except wires) in my possesion back in 1975, hardtop and all. I took out a '61 270 engine and put in a '55 Bel Air Power Pak for a guy so he could sell it. It also had a 4 speed in it but was very straight, never hit and only had 1 repaint. The original interior was still presentable too. Another one that slipped away but I didn't have the $3600. he wanted at the time. I put the 270 in an engine crate, set it in the corner of my dad's garage and it hasn't moved since.

Tom

[John H.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop

Roy -

"Motor Wheel" corporation was the supplier of those wheels (later absorbed by Kelsey-Hayes, I think).

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Green Tinted Bubbletop John

Your right made by KH and GM called them motor wheels