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Old 11-27-2011, 12:31 PM   #21
OoltewahSpeedShop
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

"Really didn't think many people were interested in BC's."

Well... looks like alot of people had the same questions. I'm glad we are getting all this info out.

Thanks to all that have replied. Keep the info coming.
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Old 11-27-2011, 01:02 PM   #22
Marco Tahtaras
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

I've been pondering this since it was first posted. First, the full bow and the curved support brackets were never intended to be used together. I've been going through records and cross referencing part introduction dates, etc.

What has made it difficult is that what we see in the pics is OLD so certain assumptions are normal. However I keep looking at the pics and the height and shape of that bow looks very odd to me. The bow appears taller than normal and the corners appear too square. Looking further, the bow does not appear as wide (thick) at the top or tapered as it should down the sides. Now, I finally spotted the clincher! The support braces on all Sport Coupes and Business Coupes were OUTSIDE the #2 bow putting them against the cardboard panels. I believe closeup pics of different areas of that bow would show clearly to those that have restored these models that the bow is not what it first appeared to be.
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Old 11-27-2011, 01:14 PM   #23
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Ok Marco.... Now I'm REALLY confused.
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Old 11-27-2011, 01:47 PM   #24
Marco Tahtaras
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe



In John's '28 Business Coupe above, note the bow is mounted INSIDE the lower corner bracket as well as the upper support brace. The inside of the top is right against the upper brace. The Business Coupes below show the special bow with the curved support brace. Once again the brace is against the inside of the top. In fact in all these cars the inner top panel (covered cardboard) correctly has a small rivet attaching the trim panel to the brace.

Now looking at your pics it appears the bow is mounted to the OUTSIDE of both the lower brackets as well as the curved braces which Ford never did. All this indicates to me that the bow is not original to the car. Whatever was done to the car could easily date back 50-60 years.




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Old 11-27-2011, 02:15 PM   #25
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

The car does not appear to have a rumble seat which would also indicate that it was not a Sport Coupe.
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Old 11-27-2011, 03:15 PM   #26
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

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Marco,
Thanks for posting the pictures and giving your input, I to was confused by the pictures of the curved brackets and full bow mounted on the outside of the corner brackets. Those pictures are going to be a great help to me in working on my 29 BC if you have any more pictures you could share that would be wonderful. my email is [email protected]
Steve
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Old 11-27-2011, 04:09 PM   #27
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

One way or another the tops are a bitch to do correctly.
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Old 11-27-2011, 05:10 PM   #28
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by peters180a/170b View Post
One way or another the tops are a bitch to do correctly.
My top really looked nice when I put it on in 1986 and still looks good from the outside but LB didn't supply water resistant cardboard and coming home from Lake Geneva it was on a trailer and we hit heavy rain. Top leaked enough that the cardboard got wet and warped. It is wavy on the inside. No way to fix it without starting over. I just have never had the motivation to do it. You are right, the tops are difficult to make look right.
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Old 11-29-2011, 09:46 PM   #29
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Ok guys, the original pics were deceptive and had me really wondering what was going on. Here are pics I just took of the roof bow connection. As mentioned before, the bow is supposed to be on the inside of the triangle brackets. The bow is on the inside. That bow is metal on the inside of the bracket. What you can't see with the top material on the car is, there is a wooden slat fixed to it that overlaps the same triangle bracket to actually sandwich it. All this being inside of the actual body line, making the wooden bow line up perfectly. The wooden outside slat is what you guys were seeing in the original pictures. The inside bow is there, just like on John's car.

Clear as mud...? Here's the pictures.

As I said before, I doubt VERY seriously this stuff has been apart since '29.

Let me know what you see....
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 001.jpg (49.7 KB, 126 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 002.jpg (28.0 KB, 112 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 003.jpg (59.4 KB, 122 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 004.jpg (40.9 KB, 106 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 005.jpg (52.9 KB, 116 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 006.jpg (64.5 KB, 120 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 007.jpg (50.6 KB, 108 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 008.jpg (49.6 KB, 109 views)

Last edited by OoltewahSpeedShop; 11-29-2011 at 09:54 PM.
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Old 11-29-2011, 10:17 PM   #30
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

That is fascinating! I'd sure like to know the history but we never will. I can say with absolute certainty that is not original Ford USA production. I also looked up Canadian production info and they were exactly like the USA.

BTW, it appears there are staples in some of the pics. Is that just shadows?
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Old 11-29-2011, 10:22 PM   #31
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras View Post

BTW, it appears there are staples in some of the pics. Is that just shadows?
I may be seeing hand stitching which was not uncommon in the 40's and 50's.
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Old 11-29-2011, 11:27 PM   #32
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras View Post
That is fascinating! I'd sure like to know the history but we never will. I can say with absolute certainty that is not original Ford USA production. I also looked up Canadian production info and they were exactly like the USA.

BTW, it appears there are staples in some of the pics. Is that just shadows?
There are staples, but they are definitely an after thought. Maybe when the top material was coming apart? This car was bought new in Knoxville, Tn. in early '29.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras View Post
I may be seeing hand stitching which was not uncommon in the 40's and 50's.
Not saying it has never been modified, just doesn't look like the top bows have ever been apart. Like you said earlier though, could have been done 60+ years ago...?
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Old 11-30-2011, 08:54 PM   #33
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Cool Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

I'm working on a 28 Canadian Sport Coupe and I notice that the these cars have slots in the "B" pillar and mine only has two countersunk screw holes. No slots and no drilled holes for the top????? any idea's guys.

Also a couple of pictures of the "Black" Canadian emblem and the VIN.

The Light blue on the Firewall is going to go. I think I'm going to paint the car the Dawn Greys. (Lt. & Dr.)

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Attached Images
File Type: jpg A2.jpg (34.8 KB, 87 views)
File Type: jpg A7.jpg (89.7 KB, 74 views)
File Type: jpg A9.jpg (65.8 KB, 73 views)
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Old 11-30-2011, 09:42 PM   #34
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

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Originally Posted by Tinbasher View Post
I'm working on a 28 Canadian Sport Coupe and I notice that the these cars have slots in the "B" pillar and mine only has two countersunk screw holes. No slots and no drilled holes for the top????? any idea's guys.

The Old Tinbasher
I'm guessing those countersunk holes have to do with the pillar wood. You are missing the outer skins which form the outline of the top side quarters.
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Old 12-04-2011, 09:38 PM   #35
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Thanks Marco: Now some more bits to find. The top Brkts took some time to find. If you have these panels let me know!! My cars production date is Oct. 28.

J.Poole The Old Tinbasher
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Old 12-04-2011, 09:39 PM   #36
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Or some good Pictures and I can make them. JP
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Old 12-04-2011, 09:57 PM   #37
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

I have started a Social Group (found under "Community" above) for owners of the 54A Business Coupes. Join in and share information!
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Old 12-07-2011, 10:38 PM   #38
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras View Post
That is fascinating! I'd sure like to know the history but we never will. I can say with absolute certainty that is not original Ford USA production. I also looked up Canadian production info and they were exactly like the USA.

BTW, it appears there are staples in some of the pics. Is that just shadows?
Marco,
Is there a website where I can see the info about these cars? If not where?

Thanks,
Kevin
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Old 12-12-2011, 04:30 PM   #39
Marco Tahtaras
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

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Marco,
Is there a website where I can see the info about these cars? If not where?

Thanks,
Kevin
Unfortunately I don't know of any single source with enough information on these to be real helpful. There may be an old Restorer magazine article with useful info but I haven't had time to dig and see.
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Old 12-12-2011, 04:44 PM   #40
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Default Re: Business Coupe vs. Sport Coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras View Post
Unfortunately I don't know of any single source with enough information on these to be real helpful. There may be an old Restorer magazine article with useful info but I haven't had time to dig and see.
I think it's a Restorer issue from 1969 or 1970 by Mary Moline that has a nice multi-page article. I'm sure it was reprinted in one of the "How to Restore" volumes, but not positive as I don't have those.
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