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Old 07-27-2024, 12:57 PM   #1
bschulze
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Default Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

Help please:

I've been looking for an early A roadster set of top irons. They are available but at crazy prices. So,

1. Why not convert my existing top irons to a folding top . A hinge plus some additional mounts and bars. A lot of thought and persperation.

As an interum open air solution :

2. Why don't I cut the rear window area of my rigid top out. Similer to the lift up area of a regular roadster. It would look like a regular roadster top with that area pinned up. I like that look, at least for now.

Have you done this? what do you think?

Oviously, I'm not an originality freak. Thank you,
Bob in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 07/08/2024
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Old 07-27-2024, 02:05 PM   #2
cas3
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

On my roadster I pretty much never take the top down as I like it there for sun shade.
I do leave the rear flap buttoned in the open position, as you, I like that. There are lots of jeep tops that have the rear curtain held up by either snaps or straps, I like that idea too
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Old 07-27-2024, 05:40 PM   #3
Ray in La Mesa
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

I made my own collapsable top for my '28 roadster pickup 50 years ago and love it even though it folds down over the front of the bed. I haven't put it down for quite a number of years , as, like "cas3" the wind and the sun bothers my aging body more.
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Old 07-28-2024, 01:19 PM   #4
gdmn852
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

Hello,have a 31 roadster and also rarely fold top down , found it easer just to unfastened and unscrew clamps and remove from cars and top doesn’t wrinkle that way , isn’t very heavy just need to people to handle it .
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Old 07-28-2024, 01:37 PM   #5
Bob Johnson
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Default Roadster Pickup ???

Ford did not refer to the OPEN CAB PICKUP as a Roadster Pickup.


Other questionable names are :
A400 --> 400A Convertible Sedan
AR vehicles --> 1927 or early 1928 vehicles


I am sure there are others.


Bob
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Old 07-28-2024, 03:26 PM   #6
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

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Doctor's Coupe.
M.
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Old 07-28-2024, 04:30 PM   #7
cas3
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

I had a real doctors coupe for a while, was owned by a doctor who was still driving it to work in the 60's the story goes.
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Old 07-29-2024, 12:00 PM   #8
bschulze
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

[IMG]2024-0727-155335.jpg[/IMG]

Last edited by bschulze; 07-29-2024 at 01:00 PM. Reason: cant get pics to work
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Old 07-29-2024, 04:32 PM   #9
gdmn852
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

I would hesitate to start cutting on original metal, Brookville makes a repro body, if similar to the roadster body, you will still have lot of time getting body panels to line up .
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Old 07-29-2024, 04:54 PM   #10
Keith True
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

I don't think he is looking to cut a closed cab to make an open cab,he is looking to either add folding irons to his truck,or cut and redo the center section of his existing fixed fabric top to open things up a little.Original roadster irons are not a good fit on the open cab.Windshield fit is OK,and side to side is OK,but for the rear you have to add a plank across the back of the cab to hold the rear of the top because it is a lot further back than the truck one was.I have seen some horrible cob jobs and ruined original roadster irons from people trying this.
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Old 07-29-2024, 07:31 PM   #11
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

Sorry my apologies, the regular roadsters and even the convertibles I’ve owned had it setup so the rear window, or back light if you prefer, can be opened, the 49 Buick is really complicated, a zipper on each side and 7 twist fasters along top. Odd that one of the upholstery, well only one left, never made an option rear open window, using the roadster as model.
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Old 07-30-2024, 10:47 PM   #12
Ron Blissit
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Default Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible??

I modified a30 roadster top for my 30 open cab pickup.I think it looks great.You have to faricate some thing for the top to rest on when down.If I could figure out how to post pictures I would post some of my top.by the way if you are over 5-8 you are going to have problems getting in and out of the little flower why the top up
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