Devon pop-top

Hi. I’m working through restoration of our 1968 van and which has a Devon pop-top. I’ve no idea how the pop-top goes together as it had been taken apart and the fabric thrown away before I got the van and I can’t find any pictures or videos which help me. Any chance someone has a good example of a working pop-top somewhere near me I could come and have a look at please, I’m near Birmingham?

Dave Stairmand said:

Hi. I’m working through restoration of our 1968 van and which has a Devon pop-top. I’ve no idea how the pop-top goes together as it had been taken apart and the fabric thrown away before I got the van and I can’t find any pictures or videos which help me. Any chance someone has a good example of a working pop-top somewhere near me I could come and have a look at please, I’m near Birmingham?

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The earlier Devon poptops up until about 75/76 had a flatish roof sort of arrangement comprising an alloy perimeter secured to an ally plate as a flat roof and the pair are joined by a rubber gasket which seems to be the downfall or hiccup in the plan. The ally plate is riveted to a set of bulkheads which are secured to the alloy perimeter. The spring loaded props are fitted to both sides in the middle of the van as opposed to the much later ones that were propped at each end. The canvas was on the earlier ones was perhaps the very best part of the design as it was crinkle cut and folded / unfolded so easily raising and lowering the roof. Some had a clear section front and rear that helped with light and being able to look out. Replacement canvas are available from several outlets and proud to pop is one springing to mind. A straight canvas instead of the crinkle cut one is a slightly less expensive option. Because these roof have @ little leaking tendency, stronger springs are available to help cope with the extra weight of years of repairs. A Rebuild is usually the best option with a bit of strengthening and a fibreglass cap for the top. Plonk up some pics and let’s see where you are with it. i went for the later styled Devon roof which is a complete fibreglass poptop with the end spring props.


First picture is mine with the later Devon roof and the second two is an earlier 72 Devon that I broke over a decade ago but mostly the same roof that I think you have. You can see the crinkle cut fabric and the windows plus the side on shot you can see a fibreglass ‘Skirt’ around the cut outs upstands and the flat roof raises up on top of that. Sorry the pics are so limited.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,there’s quite a few over on the LateBay too.

Thanks for the info. I took this video of the underside of the pop top roof and the surround mounted on the roof of the van. I think I’ve seen people using gas struts at the front and back ends of the roof instead of the one piece bars that are attached to mine which seems to make sense, or maybe that’s just on a newer version.

I am up in Liverpool but your welcome to come take a look at mine. I have not even popped it up as yet, only got the van end of last year. Mine is a 1972.

Hi, I completely refurbished my 1972 Devon pop top including building a new frame to support 2mm ali sheet center section. Fitted a new bellows and and the wood frame inside the fiberglass support section.
I can post photos tomorrow and you can contact me to chat about it .
Stuart

Stuartk said:

Hi, I completely refurbished my 1972 Devon pop top including building a new frame to support 2mm ali sheet center section. Fitted a new bellows and and the wood frame inside the fiberglass support section.
I can post photos tomorrow and you can contact me to chat about it .
Stuart

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That sounds like some good pics to see. Especially the new bellows / canvas fitting. Did you go fir regular or crinkle cut ?
After 75/76 they went for the complete fibreglass pop top and that’s what I’ve got on mine. Unfortunately they stopped the crinkle cut fabric bellows after the initial 67/75 ones like you have. I know the openings are the same size but have always thought it’d be kinda nice if I could fit the crinkle cut jobbie to the later roof. Does anyone know if this is possible with??? Or does anybody know of any downsides to the crinkle cut ones apart from it costs twice as much? If there’s no issues, I may try and fit one to mine as it’s a complete ball ache trying to fold the fabric up as you’re also lowering the roof on your own. Might be simpler with more peeps.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,If only I had some mates

My earlybay is from 4/1971 Devon and I have the top made of 2 pieces of fiber and a steel rim joining the two, and the canvas bellows already came from VW in Germany and I have the lifting parts made of steel tube and inside covered with 2mm wood
But two people are needed to put it in place

My early bay Devon 4/1971

More photos to follow. Sorry they are not in order .

The original frame fell apart under the weight of the new ali sheet so I had to make a new one. You must use blind rivets and a lot of them !

I fitted new springs from JK and a new seal kit plus a general push on seal under the fibre glass surround. New hard wood frame made to go inside the fibre glass base. This is not a job to be taken on lightly ... think I might have gone for the fibre glass topper kit .fitting the plain white bellows was more and more rivets.
It's a bigger job than I imagined.

Stuartk said:

I fitted new springs from JK and a new seal kit plus a general push on seal under the fibre glass surround. New hard wood frame made to go inside the fibre glass base. This is not a job to be taken on lightly ... think I might have gone for the fibre glass topper kit .fitting the plain white bellows was more and more rivets.
It's a bigger job than I imagined.

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Fabulous photos. This is exactly what I’ve advocated should be done with the Devon pop top of the older style. And exactly as you’ve written at the end. I’d build a raised / curved bulkhead ally frame to fit within the large alloy outer frame and side lifting struts. Then instead of the alloy sheet, glue attach the fibreglass roof cap that’s readily available. I should imagine in that format, it would be slightly lighter than stock too. Celotex ceiling with foamex covering.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,and crinkle cut bellows too