Glen Houser an eployee of the Carson Top Shop invented the what we now call “Carson Top” in 1935.
Original designed to fit a 1930 Ford Roadster.
However soon the shop used the same style on later model cars.
The Carson Top Shop was owned by Amos Carson who had started the Car upholstery shop in 1927.
He died in 1942 leaving the shop to Glen Houser to thank him for his work, and especially the creation of the very popular “Carson Top” who made the shop, and Amos a lot of money.
This photo taken inside the Carson Top Shop shows a series of early 40’s built custom cars that where at the shop to recieve the famous padded top, and possably a full interior. The Carson Top Shop for sure had a lot to do with the then popular styles in custom cars. De Soto bumpers, set in licence plates. And ofcoars the chopped non folded padded tops... Carson Top.
In the mid 40’s the shop turned out an avarage of 15 completed tops a week. All the work was done in the house. A stock car could drive in and – the in the building – metal shop (Jarrett Metal Works) would chop the top, and perform other minor metal work. Then the upholstery group would set to work building the frames for the top and three days later a complete Carson topped custom could drive away.
Bob Houser the son of Glen Houser mentioned that over 5000 Carson tops where produced by the company.
