Original top on a Tudor.
 

Hello,

I'm new to posting around here, but have been reading the forum for awhile now and I've learned a lot. I hadn't had a car, but just bought a 1930 Tudor, so I'll probably be a bit more vocal now.

This is probably a pretty basic question, but I'm wondering about the top on the car. It looks like a heavy canvas and it looks original to the car. All the cars I've seen of show cars have had a heavily grained leather looking top. I attached a picture of mine.

Is this just a Standard Vs Deluxe thing? It seems to be in reasonable condition, and I'm happy with it.

Thanks!

kris

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

the orignal top material was black leather looking material, it was either long or short grained, im not sure about which one is correct, but there are a lot of guys on here that will know

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

is it soft or hard as a rock ? it shold be " black long short grain artificial leather"


the long short refers to just that long grain mixed with short grain lines in the material

-the trimmings were used for tool bags for the car as well

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

My first impression is it's cotton duck material with water proofing applied. Looks like it has a seam running down the center which a Ford top would not have had. I would say it's a replacement.

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

It's pretty hard, like if you soaked canvas in black paint then let it dry. Probably closer to the density of cardboard. It sure looks like canvas because there are tiny sections where the black paint has chipped off and there's a machine made pattern to the material. Also, the rain gutters are still on and tacked up tight.

Maybe somebody replaced the leather with a piece of canvas??

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

I think this is probably correct

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

by the pic it sure does not look stock...
the 30 tudor is supossed to have long grain, i just went through this recently on another thread in which marco helped clarify the verbage in the JS

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

Thanks, looks like I'll need to add a new top to the list. Part of the fun!

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

i just ordered one from lebaron bonney and marcos website has the best tutorial on installing it

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

When you install your new top use lots of tacks to avoid that hop-hop look between the tacks.

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

Here is an original top and what yours would have looked like


http://abarnyard.com/temp/55-b/31deluxe-006.jpg

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

Click on Marco's link below his picture of an original top.
Then click on "Take a tour"
Then go to "The workshop"
Then read his "Installing a top" on a tudor sedan.
That's the best info you can find for your top replacement.

Re: Original top on a Tudor.
 

Thanks Marco, that's the roof I thought I should have. The tutorial on your website really gives a great overview on how to replace it. Looks like something I can attempt myself.