Devon pop-top

[Dave Stairmand]

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?

 

[ozziedog]

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?

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.

 

[Dave Stairmand]

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.