The Ford Barn

Buford Adamson · 05-04-2018, 03:56 PM

I recently purchased a 1930 roadster and trying find the correct way to put the top down. I have had no luck trying to google the answer. I know this forum will have the answer.

burner31 · 05-05-2018, 08:06 AM

Well, since no one else will answer you, I'll give it a shot Buford.
First off, I'm on my 1st Model A, and it's a fordor, so I don't know anything about roadster's.
I would say...just be careful, go slow, and if it starts to bind up...stop.
Hope this gets someone who really knows to answer you.

Buford Adamson · 05-05-2018, 01:12 PM

Thanks Keith, I did release the top from the windshield stanchions and move the top back about half way. At that point the top started to bind. That is when I stopped, and decided to find out how to let it down correctly.

Buford

1930artdeco · 05-05-2018, 01:42 PM

The joints may be rusty and in need of some lube.

Mike

Jim M · 05-05-2018, 07:03 PM

Should just go back and fold down. If it hasn't been down for a long time some lube at all the joints is in order. Work carefully back and forth and make sure nothing is "bending" or one side moving and not the other which will cause a bind. I have a 29 Roadster and I believe the 30 is very similar with few exceptions. Also make sure none of the cloth top is getting hung up anywhere. Good luck and keep us informed!

Keith True · 05-05-2018, 08:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

First,is it a standard or a deluxe? The standard has a couple of thumbscrews about halfway back that need to be backed off.Also,at some point near the rear where one part crosses another there is a peg that fits into the arm it crosses.I kind of think those pop out when you loosen the thumbscrew.I would have to look,I've done it so many times over the years I don't pay any attention to where those gizmos are,I just do it.

macdonge · 05-06-2018, 04:52 AM

Keith has it right (on a STD, at least). The thumbscrews need to be backed off to the point where the pegs release before the top can retract fully.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

Buford Adamson · 05-06-2018, 03:01 PM

Thanks for all the help. I now have the top down without any damage. The wing nuts and pins in the back did the trick.

THANKS
Buford

rosenkranswa · 05-07-2018, 10:26 AM

One thing to just check, make sure none of the fabric gets creased or pinched as it goes back, that will reduce the life of the top.

dpson · 05-08-2018, 10:38 AM

If you're going to drive with the top down I recommend using a top boot and tie-down straps to protect the top material and keep things from bouncing around.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-08-2018, 04:55 PM

This is an OOOOLD thread, but it reminded me, a Friend installed his '30 Roadster top very nicely, BUT, when they FINALLY got it on the Stanchions, it was SO TIGHT, the doors wouldn't OPEN!!---That's when I "remembered" something???? & LEFT!!---NEVER heard how they FIXED it????
Bill Ghost

05-04-2018, 03:56 PM	#1
Buford Adamson Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lagrange, KY Posts: 26	Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down I recently purchased a 1930 roadster and trying find the correct way to put the top down. I have had no luck trying to google the answer. I know this forum will have the answer.

05-05-2018, 08:06 AM	#2
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Well, since no one else will answer you, I'll give it a shot Buford. First off, I'm on my 1st Model A, and it's a fordor, so I don't know anything about roadster's. I would say...just be careful, go slow, and if it starts to bind up...stop. Hope this gets someone who really knows to answer you. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

05-05-2018, 01:12 PM	#3
Buford Adamson Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lagrange, KY Posts: 26	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Thanks Keith, I did release the top from the windshield stanchions and move the top back about half way. At that point the top started to bind. That is when I stopped, and decided to find out how to let it down correctly. Buford

05-05-2018, 01:42 PM	#4
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,553	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down The joints may be rusty and in need of some lube. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

05-05-2018, 07:03 PM	#5
Jim M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sebastian, FL Posts: 479	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Should just go back and fold down. If it hasn't been down for a long time some lube at all the joints is in order. Work carefully back and forth and make sure nothing is "bending" or one side moving and not the other which will cause a bind. I have a 29 Roadster and I believe the 30 is very similar with few exceptions. Also make sure none of the cloth top is getting hung up anywhere. Good luck and keep us informed!

05-05-2018, 08:13 PM	#6
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,997	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) First,is it a standard or a deluxe? The standard has a couple of thumbscrews about halfway back that need to be backed off.Also,at some point near the rear where one part crosses another there is a peg that fits into the arm it crosses.I kind of think those pop out when you loosen the thumbscrew.I would have to look,I've done it so many times over the years I don't pay any attention to where those gizmos are,I just do it.

05-06-2018, 04:52 AM	#7
macdonge Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Frelighsburg, QC Posts: 166	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Keith has it right (on a STD, at least). The thumbscrews need to be backed off to the point where the pegs release before the top can retract fully. Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

05-06-2018, 03:01 PM	#8
Buford Adamson Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lagrange, KY Posts: 26	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down Thanks for all the help. I now have the top down without any damage. The wing nuts and pins in the back did the trick. THANKS Buford

05-07-2018, 10:26 AM	#9
rosenkranswa Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Malvern, PA Posts: 361	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down One thing to just check, make sure none of the fabric gets creased or pinched as it goes back, that will reduce the life of the top. __________________ Wayne @ Barb Malvern '19 T Speedster '26 T Touring '29 A Roadster '30 AA Stakebed '30 A Pickup '30 A Town Sedan '31 A Station Wagon '38 Columbia Girls bike (WWII) '40 Elgin Boys bike (WWII) '42 Super Deluxe Tudor '42 Willys MB Jeep '43 Willys MBT Trailer '43 M3A4 Hand Cart '43 Harley Davidson 42WLA with sidecar

05-08-2018, 10:38 AM	#10
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down If you're going to drive with the top down I recommend using a top boot and tie-down straps to protect the top material and keep things from bouncing around.

05-08-2018, 04:55 PM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Proper way to put 1930 roadster top down This is an OOOOLD thread, but it reminded me, a Friend installed his '30 Roadster top very nicely, BUT, when they FINALLY got it on the Stanchions, it was SO TIGHT, the doors wouldn't OPEN!!---That's when I "remembered" something???? & LEFT!!---NEVER heard how they FIXED it???? Bill Ghost __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"