Phaeton top irons are exposed.

[TomOKC]

I recently purchased a 1929 Phaeton and now realize that the horizontal top irons drop below the canvas about middle of top.

I can put the irons together using a strap and the top looks fine then.

Any suggestions?

[Tom Wesenberg]

I have a picture of my top irons on my 28 Phaeton, but from what your picture shows, I don't think the irons are folded all the way out. It has also been a problem that some tops aren't made as wide as they should be, and this leaves some of the irons exposed.
I'll look for my picture.

Here you go. Check out Marco's picture in #7 and my pictures in #9.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...+top+wesenberg

[Bob C]

Found these pictures on an old thread.

Bob

[Synchro909]

I agree - those irons are not extended all the way. What is stopping them?
I've even seen a zip tie used to hold hem in the extended position.

[TomOKC]

Have not figured out why they don't extend.
Disconnected the front bow so the canvas is pulling so tight to prevent extension of irons. But no change doing that.
We can use zip ties or strap to force the close the gap and the top then looks correct.

[jm29henry]

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Try putting the, together and tighten the wing nuts

[Tom Wesenberg]

Soft tops should be stored with the tops in the up and locked position to prevent shrinkage problems.
Could your top have shrunk while in long term storage in the down position?

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Soft tops should be stored with the tops in the up and locked position to prevent shrinkage problems.
Could your top have shrunk while in long term storage in the down position?

That's what I am thinking.
Some materials (usually the cheaper ones) will shrink especially if the trimmer used the fabric straight off the roll. It is pulled tight when winding it in the factory and it relaxes after it comes off the roll for a day or three. A good trimmer knows to cut a piece of material a little long and leave it for a while before sewing it all together. I wonder how experienced the maker of this hood was.
Storing with the hood erected helps resist shrinkage.
The wrinkle in your hood indicate that it has been stored folded. If you leave the car in the hot sun (we have plenty at the moment) with the hood up and TIGHT, you might have a win.

[TomOKC]

It requires zip ties even when the front bow is removed from windshield.
This should relax the top, I would think.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by TomOKC

It requires zip ties even when the front bow is removed from windshield.
This should relax the top, I would think.

As I happen to state in another one of your threads, it is likely the upholstery is installed incorrectly. The first picture above originated from me, and is of Jim Cannon's Phaeton during final fitment. I likely have more pictures of that car, -or of other phaetons we have done, ...and Marco had quite a few on his site when he was doing the late Davey Lopes' phaeton, but I am not sure pictures are gonna help you much. Again, I suspect the top cover was either sewn incorrectly, -or installed wrong which has the bows in a bind.

BTW Tom, welcome to Fordbarn!

[rogerkb1936]

couple years ago a friend had a 28 phaeton with the same problem. original top bows all in good condition. nothing we could come up with would fix it. so, we did a half assed repair by welding in 3" section of similar sized metal about over the back of front seat on each side. this of course had the effect of lifting the bows so the sides would be hidden by top fabric. he had to have special longer top made by le baron and it looks fine. after thinking it over afterwards I came to the conclusion that it was caused by a sagging frame. a sagging frame would have the effect of pinching the top assy together, causing the top assy to be lower. makes sense to me.

[Synchro909]

From what I've read on this forum, the chassis is most likely to sag at the rear engine mounts which are at the front of the scuttle. If the bend is there, I can't see it moving the top of the stauntions backwards. I have a 29 Phaeton on which the chassis has sagged very badly but the hood fits OK. Can't say the same for the bonnet.
I'm with Brent. The hood was badly made/installed. I also question the quality of the material used or maybe the front bow is too long.

[RUNNERBUN]

What keeps the irons pulled up in position is the straps/webbing inside the back of the Hood. See the pictures attached. If you are missing the straps or they have streached badly that will result with your symptoms. When doing a hood those straps are the first thing you do and they are pulled as tight as possible.
If you have the straps in place you can try standing behind your car and pull down hard on the rear bow. If the hood irons lift up into position you have found your problem.
I have a photo album of a top which I did on a friends Phaeton in my personal profile. Just click on my username and go to my public profile to see the rest of the Pics.
The back of the hood should stand in a near vertical position. If the back on your car is leaning forward then that will also indicate where your problem is.

[Tony Hillyard]

RUNNERBUN,

Have you ever fitted side curtains (side screens) of a Standard Roadster? I am just trying to finish fitting a new top (despite the terrible instructions) I then plan to fit the side curtains. I plan to make a video for Youtube on the side curtain installation to help other 'A' owners.

But first I have to work out exactly what special tools are required for the various fittings. Plus to find out all the little fittings I need.

Getting useful information on this is a real nightmare!!!

[RUNNERBUN]

Hi Tony, I haven't done a Roadster Top but the side curtains on a Phaeton are very similar in construction. I'm not sure if original style fasteners are available but you could try the suppliers such as Snyders or Brattons. They did stock original fasteners some time back.
I have been using the Lift the Dot fasteners and snap fasteners which do the job quite nicely but are not for the fine points car. If you do a Google search for images "Lift the Dot fasteners" you will get plenty of pics. These fasteners are readily available from local upholstery shops.

[Tony Hillyard]

Thanks RUNNERBUN,

I have bought the original style fittings but can't work out some of the special tools. The lift-a-dots I have used before with great success.

You would imagine it was in the suppliers interest to make it clear all the fittings required for a kit plus the special tools - plus some decent instructions.