In 1953 Mr. William Chaffee, president of Model Builders in Chicago, first got involved in building the tops at the request of Eugene Kettering, chief engineer at GM's Electro-Motive Division, who wanted one for his early ‘54 Corvette when he realized that head room and visibility was limited with the soft-top. Who got those bubble tops? Well, Eugene Kettering for one, others went to Dwight H. Green (Governor of Illinois), R. H. McWilliams (president of Royal Crown Bottling Corp. of St. Louis), GM's Chevrolet Division, and many other VIPs of the day. Chevrolet actually had one top installed on a Corvette for testing, but the top never appeared as a factory option. Twenty of the tops made were clear, and 5 were green. Only one green is known to exist today. Quick facts: The tops were NOT made by Bell Helicopter Three different tops were offered aftermarket by three different companies: Plasticon, Scottop from California, and Model Builders from Chicago Illinois. The original cost was $500.00 back when the Corvette was under $3000.00. Any of these tops found today are rare indeed! Only one clear and one green are known today. First produced in 1954, these original bubble tops are now 50 years old.