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Whitco Top Thread

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by oldhabits, Dec 12, 2019.

  1. Dec 27, 2020
    Rubicloak

    Rubicloak Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Nevada
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    Interesting, I talked to both Jerry and Mike on the phone two weeks ago Mike said business as usual but that the pre 83 stuff was on hold till 2022. Oh well, guess they just tell you what they want you to hear.

    He said that the biggest problem was coming up with all of the patterns as Whitco junked everything after they closed. No patterns, diagrams, paperwork of any kind was left. He believes that it all went into a landfill.

    This a quote from Mike on Dec 16th.
    "As we have not started the project yet. We are going to chase the OE style top found on CJ5 and CJ 7’s first. They will not mirror the Rough Rider tops but the original AMC style. There are very little differences between the two but we want to try and get as close to original as possible. I hear you in regards to it being frustrating getting information. When they liquidated all the patterns and designs went into the wind. We still have to start from scratch. Sorry we cannot be as helpful as we want. Lots of projects and not enough time to complete. Thanks again for the support!"

    Fingers crossed that they do not shut down and keep this project moving forward.

    I told him I would send him my NOS Whitco Jeep Special Equipment series 2100, model 2105 top to them to scan take measurements etc. He was appreciative and said he would keep my info for future use.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2020
  2. Dec 27, 2020
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I have been loosely following this, and had kept the idea of sending them my (now yours) top if they needed an example. The idea of getting new production tops makes it well worth whatever we can do to keep this idea alive.
     
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  3. Dec 28, 2020
    WestCoastPat

    WestCoastPat Member

    Orting, WA...
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    Nov 1, 2015
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    132
    My new to me was a 1969 CJ5 V6 bought in Salinas, CA. The top I believe was a Witco installed by the dealership. I do not remember any tag on it at all. I still own the JEEP but the only thing left of the top is the Bow Set. Maybe a few pieces of canvas are still around but the JEEP is still in Salinas, CA. and I moved up to Washington State 17 years ago. If the people you are talking too could use a sample piece of canvas and some pictures of the Bow Set I could probably arrange it. Let me know.
     
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  4. Jan 6, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    In response to some of the latest posts on this thread, I again reached out to Whitco. They responded today. Here is the latest word (in reverse chronological order -- earliest email at bottom to latest email at top):

    "Whitco is a brand of MasterTop Inc. (www.mastertop.com) . MasterTop is the parent company and is by no means going out of business. The Whitco Brand is still alive and we are working hard on all MasterTop and when possible, Whitco new products during this crazy time. Our plan is to have the Whitco brand as a restoration products brand (CJ5, CJ7, CJ2a) if and when the products are available. Please be patient with us during these crazy times as we are doing the best we can in getting new products to market. Thanks for your interest and all the best,

    From: Vincent
    Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 11:29 AM
    To: Jerry
    Subject: RE: New message - whitcotop.com

    Ok. But Whitco is not going out of business, yes?

    Vincent

    From: Jerry
    Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2021 1:01 PM
    To: Vincent
    Subject: RE: New message - whitcotop.com

    Vincent:

    Yes, we have stopped development during this craziness. Not sure if or when we will pick it back up again.

    Jerry

    From: Vincent
    Sent: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 1:38 PM
    To: Jerry
    Subject: RE: New message - whitcotop.com

    There is a rumor going around that you folks are shutting down the business. Is that correct?

    Vincent"
     
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  5. Jan 6, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I should also point out that, according to their email as exactly pasted into my December 13, 2019 post, they already allegedly have all the materials that they need to make a prototype of the tops. To wit:

    "From: Vincent
    Sent: Friday, December 6, 2019 12:55 PM
    To: Jerry Hughes
    Subject: RE: New message - whitcotop.com

    Jerry: There is a big demand for the early CJ5 top, even in vintage colors like white. You may want to browse this site and/or post a thread on the subject: www.earlycj5.com

    Vincent
    ___________________________________________________________________

    Vincent:

    We have bought mint (in the box) early and late 5’s. I have the bodies to do the fitments… working hard to find the time to do the development…..

    White crush will definitely be a fabric option.

    Thanks for the heads up!

    Jerry"
     
  6. Jan 6, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I frankly do not understand, whatsoever, what the possible hold up in making prototype tops could be since they already -- allegedly -- have "mint (in the box) early and late 5’s [tops]. I [they] have the bodies to do the fitments" [matter in brackets supplied].

    It just makes no sense to me at all.
     
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  7. Jan 6, 2021
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
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    Keep at them... (y)
     
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  8. Jan 6, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I will Cary, but I don't have a good feeling about this. By the way, according to their website, the person that I'm corresponding with -- Jerry Hughes -- is also the president of MasterTop.
     
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  9. Jan 8, 2021
    OnlyOneDR

    OnlyOneDR Member 2023 Sponsor

    R
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    If they want to do a 3A top I have one stashed with all the brackets/bows that I am not using yet. I could certainly lend it to them. I bought it because it was WHITE!
     
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  10. Jan 9, 2021
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    I don't want to rain on anyones parade but I went through this same scenario with Jerry 4 or 5 yrs. ago. We used to meet in Moab during Jeep Safari. I met Mike James of Quadretec first and he introduced me to Jerry about the time Jerry started MasterTop. This was after going round and round with Bestop for years trying to get a white top for my 75. I offered Jerry a NOS white top for pattern development, and offered TO DELIVER an early 5 tub for mockup/development and haven't heard a peep since. The last time I talked to him was 2019 in Moab. I still believe he is sincere when he says he's not going to forget the old Jeeps but lets face it; he's got a business to run and there's more JK's and JL's on the road than early 5's and flatties.
    Still hopeful...

    FWIW,
    Mike
     
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  11. Jan 9, 2021
    Zoomer

    Zoomer eJeeper (walking)

    Minnesota
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    I wonder if there is some marine top canvas shop around interested in making up a bunch of jeep tops? Seems like if they had a top, especially one they could unstitch, it should be pretty easy to make the patterns.
     
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  12. Jan 10, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I too think it would be pretty easy, especially with a pattern. What I don't know is how the window attachment is done. The original has some kind of swaging or fusing to attach the clear to the vinyl. Not sure how that is done. And I think the tops being made by Classic or Beachwood just sew the clear on. Does anyone know what this process is?
     
  13. Jan 10, 2021
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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  14. Jan 10, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I think so, especially if he is willing to work with you on design and material, (such as white vinyl).
     
  15. Jan 11, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I live in the Florida Keys, and have probably 6 marine canvas/top shops within 10 miles of me. I also have a never-installed (but kinda crispy) mid-'70s CJ5 top up at Hatteras. I've also been looking at Sunbrella material, but would love to find the original pinpoint vinyl with the cotton inner lining, as used originally.
    I'll be waiting a while longer to see if Whitco/Mastertop somehow comes through, but I at least have a backup plan. I really doubt Whitco will make a bright red top I'll eventually need.
    -Donny
     
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  16. Jan 11, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I like the red also. Haartz still makes some colors of pinpoint.
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Jul 17, 2023
    Mark Zanoni

    Mark Zanoni New Member

    Cincinnati, OH
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    I'm reviving this thread in case anyone has heard any more from Jerry at Whitco/Mastertop. Whitco website still using CV19 as crutch for nothing doing and Classic Jeep Tops also swamped. Has anyone found anyone to make a pinpoint vinyl replacement top?
     
  18. Jul 17, 2023
    Rubicloak

    Rubicloak Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Nevada
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    Last I talked to them (6 months ago-ish) they had no plans to bring back the early pre 75 tops.
     
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