Standard roadster top question
 

People: I have a 1931 roadster, and in attempting to put the top on, it seems to be "short" at the back. Top material is Le Barron-Bonny, and the top irons are original 1930/31 Henry Ford steel. We have the top fastened at the stanchions and pulled back and down as far as it will go. The top was in storage for a long time before I got it, and not used by me for a couple of years. ANY thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You
Joel R. Shaw
Fairport, N.Y.

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

Is not the top and windshields on the deluxe open cars lower than a standard
Car ? Deluxe top material on standard top bows ?
How short is the top ?

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

yes roughly 13 1/2 on the deluxe and over 15 on the standard. stantions

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

Attach the back snaps first with the header off the stanchions, then slowly pull the header down and see if it will stretch into place. Work slowly and it should pull down.

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

If it's the correct top it has shrunk. The same thing happens on roadsters and touring cars (phaetons) when the top is left down for a long time.

If this is the case, you need to fasten the top on in every place it should be, then put it under tension to start stretching it, and slowly, over time, keep adding tension as it stretches. May take a long time, up to a year.

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

Hello, as mentioned the Deluxe and Standard tops are different,with the Standard being taller overall than the Deluxe. Is there any marking on the replacement top to be sure that it is really for your car? Original top would have been black grain material, but that doesn’t mean anything now.Even if it sat unused in a box would not think it would shrink to the point it wouldn’t fit. I had restored a 30 Standard and had the problem the top material didn’t fit, some one had fitted it with a 28 29 top bows that were cobbled up to fit , had to replace top bows .

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

That was a thought that I had also, and it makes a lot of sense. I just wanted to hear other people's thoughts on the topic. Thank You!!

Re: Standard roadster top question
 

Excellent information!! This should prove to be very helpful to me. Thank You Very Much!!