The Ford Barn

adavis · 09-17-2013, 03:19 PM

I'm going to be installing a new top wood kit in my '31 coupe and would like to know if anyone has a suggestion on where to purchase this. I know that almost every model A parts supplier has them, but is there a difference? Is one maker better than another? I searched the forum but didn't really find a true answer to the question. Thanks.

KGBnut · 09-17-2013, 04:50 PM

I just did the roof in my '30 Coupe. I got the wood kit from Bratton's and was very pleased with it.

One piece of advice... I used Les Andrews Book (Vol II I think) for the instructions. Very good and highly recommended. However, he, and every other set of instructions I have seen tell you that the windshield header will need to be fitted, but don't make it very clear what that means, or say how to do it.

I popped mine in... Hey! It fit! Lucky me.

Two days of work later I was taking the whole thing apart to do it again.

So, I will do you the favor no one did for me.

Carefully fit the windshield header. Put the door headers in position with the windshield header. Check how it meets the curved metal of the roof. Push that metal into its finished position and check again. Open and close the doors to see how the drip-rails clear.

Put the header cover in place and check its fit against the windshield frame.

Put the visor in place and check its fit against header cover (remember, a piece of welting needs to go in here), and the front of the curved metal of the roof.

You will likely need some help, or a bunch of clamps, or need to temporarily screw some pieces in place. Maybe some of all of these.

For me, I ended up sanding all along where the visor meets, and did a lot of shaping at the corners to fit to the roof metal. I had to take off a bit of the door headers also.

I was ultimately very happy with my results, but, boy, do I wish I had done all this before I bolted the whole thing together the first time.

Best of luck!

Ken

Super88 · 09-17-2013, 06:14 PM

I was very happy with the items I received from Classic Wood, 1006 North Raleigh Street, Greensboro, NC 27405, (336) 691-1344.

They don't have a website so you have to order the old fashioned way by phone, but they were very prompt to call and my order was shipped quickly.

adavis · 09-17-2013, 08:05 PM

Wow thanks KGBnut! I'm sure that just saved me a big headache.

Jim Johnston · 09-17-2013, 08:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ditto on Classic Wood in Greensboro, NC. I got my Tudor wood from them - top rate.

09-17-2013, 03:19 PM	#1
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 289	'31 coupe wood kit source opinion? I'm going to be installing a new top wood kit in my '31 coupe and would like to know if anyone has a suggestion on where to purchase this. I know that almost every model A parts supplier has them, but is there a difference? Is one maker better than another? I searched the forum but didn't really find a true answer to the question. Thanks.

09-17-2013, 04:50 PM	#2
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 931	Re: '31 coupe wood kit source opinion? I just did the roof in my '30 Coupe. I got the wood kit from Bratton's and was very pleased with it. One piece of advice... I used Les Andrews Book (Vol II I think) for the instructions. Very good and highly recommended. However, he, and every other set of instructions I have seen tell you that the windshield header will need to be fitted, but don't make it very clear what that means, or say how to do it. I popped mine in... Hey! It fit! Lucky me. Two days of work later I was taking the whole thing apart to do it again. So, I will do you the favor no one did for me. Carefully fit the windshield header. Put the door headers in position with the windshield header. Check how it meets the curved metal of the roof. Push that metal into its finished position and check again. Open and close the doors to see how the drip-rails clear. Put the header cover in place and check its fit against the windshield frame. Put the visor in place and check its fit against header cover (remember, a piece of welting needs to go in here), and the front of the curved metal of the roof. You will likely need some help, or a bunch of clamps, or need to temporarily screw some pieces in place. Maybe some of all of these. For me, I ended up sanding all along where the visor meets, and did a lot of shaping at the corners to fit to the roof metal. I had to take off a bit of the door headers also. I was ultimately very happy with my results, but, boy, do I wish I had done all this before I bolted the whole thing together the first time. Best of luck! Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

09-17-2013, 06:14 PM	#3
Super88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Corner of WI Posts: 169	Re: '31 coupe wood kit source opinion? I was very happy with the items I received from Classic Wood, 1006 North Raleigh Street, Greensboro, NC 27405, (336) 691-1344. They don't have a website so you have to order the old fashioned way by phone, but they were very prompt to call and my order was shipped quickly.

09-17-2013, 08:05 PM	#4
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 289	Re: '31 coupe wood kit source opinion? Wow thanks KGBnut! I'm sure that just saved me a big headache.

09-17-2013, 08:23 PM	#5
Jim Johnston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 106	Re: '31 coupe wood kit source opinion? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ditto on Classic Wood in Greensboro, NC. I got my Tudor wood from them - top rate.