Wanted: Information on Doka Canopy Suppliers

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2656

where are you canvasguy ?
would you do these in this shiny rubber raft looking material or could it be done in stay fast convertible top material ? or similar canvas/rubber/canvas bonded material ?

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

The 1st canopy will be a doka, stock height as that is what I will drive once I get one of my very own. There are very few SCs around so that will come later, unless someone lends moi a SC in Salt Lake City to make the SC pattern on. Hint hint!
Even tho Mario lent moi a Doka canopy & hoops to measure, I need to make the pattern on an actual truck setup to get a perfect fit.

Once I have patterns for DC & SC, then custom versions can be made.
Each different type of fabric will require its own pattern, that we make w/ cardboard templates, as the shrinkage rate of each fabric must be accounted for in the patterns although, I bet the rubberized OG fabric doesn't shrink at all? & Sunbrella only shrinks 0.5%.

YMMV

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

1st canopies will be stock OG style, then custom ones later. The Convertible fabric could be a custom version later on, but the fabric is mucho dinero, & will be much more expensive to make, ship as it weighs way more, but it is very possible, depending on how big your wallet is.
Since the hoops are much simpler to manufacture than the Split & Bay window hoops, I will probably also sell those. No idea on prices at this time.

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2656

thanks, I ask because I don't really like the shiny material. maybe you know of other options.

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

There are numerous materials that will be suitable, but the rubberized fabrics like the OG fabric are heat welded instead of sewn, so if we we go to a material that needs to be sewn, it will look different, but that issue will only be of a concern to the vintage nazi types(me!).
I have talked to volks who don't want one like the OG style, but if the vanagon crowd is anything like the earlier crowd, the OG style/details/hardware will be a huge issue, & that will be my 1st focus.

syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject:

I like OG.
Those rubber cups that go over the drop gate buffers look like the tricky piece to get the mitts onto.

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

Yep, 6 on each doka canopy. I think similar ones are out there.

BenT Syncro · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:09 pm Post subject:

Bman · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject: Cool Canopy

Anyone know anything about the canopy on this TriStar? It appears to be custom made and may not be a specific manufacturer, but damn it's cool and I like the cab hieght option alot.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"

2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl

syncrodoka · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:39 pm Post subject:

Yes, it is custom made. Ewokpoacher is the guy that will have the answers.

Bman · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks Syncrodoka, I sent him a pmail.

Here is another shot of that totally awesome Tristar and canopy:

_________________
~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"

2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl

BenT Syncro · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't mind another hard canopy now that I turned my spare Syncro Doka into a trailer. Have Vindic canopy which is not pretty but works great. Anybody have one for sale or want to knock one off in the US? I have a fiberglass guy nearby but it's too expensive to just have him make one. Plus you have to make the steel headache rack and rear legs. I have spare headache rack but not the backend. Somebody please improve on the Vindic and offer for sale for a reasonable price. Idea

_________________
BenT

SyncroGhia · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:23 pm Post subject:

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

That is definitely a custom canopy as it does not use the VW body hardware as far as I can tell from the pic.
That said, I agree that it is a nice canopy!

FWIW, I am finally getting ready to make a Doka prototype canopy this month.
I know you will say I said this last year, but really we are this time. The syncro doka that I have been searching in vain for is still in vain, so I have a client in SFO, not BenT, that I am making a doka canopy for when they bring their truck to our shop in SLC. That said, I am borrowing a nice 88 SC w/ original German hoops & canopy on for fitting before in SLC, so we will hopefully be making canopies/hoops/bows to sell in package deals if needed. At this time, the patterns will be made for a Sunbrella Marine grade fabric which shrinks over time by about .05% so those patterns will also work for later rubberized fabric canopies which we will also make. That fabric is way more expensive than the acrylic fabric, so we want to dial in the sunbrella first.

YMMV,

Mr. BZ

BenT Syncro · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 3:41 pm Post subject:

canvas guy · Samba Member Joined: June 12, 2001 Posts: 127

No, I said I might be making one in the next couple of months, or by the end of the year, or by Spring, or by the next campout, etc-never said THIS MONTH before!

BenT Syncro · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject:

cris torlasco · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

16CVs · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:43 pm Post subject:

Ben

I like you thought that a Vindic needed a headache rack to mount . it actually sits in the rear rain gutter . I have been thinking about removing my Headache bar to gain a couple of well needed inches . It only uses the HB to tie it down . I think you could tastefully make a cable and tie the top down to the canopy bolts on the back of the bed . Although there are 4 down down loops , I think that a cable on both sides would hold it down without issue .
Those rear supports are easily fabricated .
It would be nice if someone could make a copy , It is a very intricate top though . If someone was going to invest the time ,I would make one with the high rear door ,that goes into the roof when opening .It gives you full access to the interior height . Where the low rear door limits the size of an item you can put in the truck .
I think they are a great top ,it would be nice if someone made a new one with fresh Gelcoat and no spider cracks .
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.


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Wanted: Information on Doka Canopy Suppliers
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