The Ford Barn

Bloem · 04-23-2022, 04:05 AM

Hello Fordlovers,

This is my first post on Fordbarn! Together with my father I try to collect all parts for our 28/29 roadster body. We don't have a top with the body. Now I can buy a top for a roadster, but the seller and I don't know if it is a 28/29 or a 30/31 roadster. (The top isn't around the corner, so I can't try it on the body.)

I hope all the Fordbarn knowledge can help us find the answer.

Kind regards,
Jaco
The Netherlands (Europe)

rotorwrench · 04-23-2022, 08:52 AM

The 1928/29 are distinctive in their shape and construction. Each side of the assemblies is hollow on the inside for the wood inserts and slots to act as the tack strips. The more common 1930/31 types are steel with wood attached on the outside for tack strips.

fundytides · 04-23-2022, 10:30 AM

Be careful when making assumptions involving potentially "foreign" made cars and/or parts. I have a 31 Canadian made Standard Roadster and the top is the "28-29 type" with the wood inserts. I am travelling right now and don't have my Judging Standards with me but if I remember correctly this is mentioned in the "Canadian" section of the guide. I haven't purchased a new fabric top yet, but when I do, I will measure carefully and consult with the supplier in case the specs are different for the Canadian top. Got caught in this trap before with rear seat cushion upholstery for my Canadian 27 Model T touring.

Bloem · 04-23-2022, 04:09 PM

Thanks for your help Rotorwrench.

With your input, some extra photos from the seller and online pictures of roadsters, I could determine that it weren't 28/29 nor 30/31 top irons.

The search for top irons continues!

Kind regards,
Jaco

updraught · 04-23-2022, 09:17 PM

The 30/31 deluxe are bits of strap metal and standard are the wood socket type.

Dave Mellor NJ · 04-23-2022, 10:14 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The 28-29 top irons are very close to the 30-31 Standard irons but they're not the same. If you see them together you can see the difference which is in the smaller metal. Chances are if you see a set for sale at a flea market it is the 30-31 standard top that somebody took off to restore a car into a DeLuxe

updraught · 04-24-2022, 03:16 AM

The 28-29 have a scissor action that the standard 30-31 don't.

https://www.macsautoparts.com/model-...8-23104-1.html

https://www.ecklers.com/model-a-ford...8-23105-1.html

d. · 04-25-2022, 07:03 PM

updrauught #5 has it right.
the 30-31 roadster standard irons are hollow with wood top bows.
the 30-31 roadster deluxe irons are strap steel, chrome plated with wood top bows.
there was no deluxe 28-29 roadster...the irons are hollow like the 30-31 standard roadster.

04-23-2022, 08:52 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? The 1928/29 are distinctive in their shape and construction. Each side of the assemblies is hollow on the inside for the wood inserts and slots to act as the tack strips. The more common 1930/31 types are steel with wood attached on the outside for tack strips. Last edited by rotorwrench; 04-26-2022 at 09:01 AM.

04-23-2022, 10:30 AM	#3
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? Be careful when making assumptions involving potentially "foreign" made cars and/or parts. I have a 31 Canadian made Standard Roadster and the top is the "28-29 type" with the wood inserts. I am travelling right now and don't have my Judging Standards with me but if I remember correctly this is mentioned in the "Canadian" section of the guide. I haven't purchased a new fabric top yet, but when I do, I will measure carefully and consult with the supplier in case the specs are different for the Canadian top. Got caught in this trap before with rear seat cushion upholstery for my Canadian 27 Model T touring.

04-23-2022, 04:09 PM	#4
Bloem Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? Thanks for your help Rotorwrench. With your input, some extra photos from the seller and online pictures of roadsters, I could determine that it weren't 28/29 nor 30/31 top irons. The search for top irons continues! Kind regards, Jaco

04-23-2022, 10:14 PM	#6
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 782	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The 28-29 top irons are very close to the 30-31 Standard irons but they're not the same. If you see them together you can see the difference which is in the smaller metal. Chances are if you see a set for sale at a flea market it is the 30-31 standard top that somebody took off to restore a car into a DeLuxe

04-24-2022, 03:16 AM	#7
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,971	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? The 28-29 have a scissor action that the standard 30-31 don't. https://www.macsautoparts.com/model-...8-23104-1.html https://www.ecklers.com/model-a-ford...8-23105-1.html

04-23-2022, 09:17 PM	#5
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,971	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? The 30/31 deluxe are bits of strap metal and standard are the wood socket type.

04-25-2022, 07:03 PM	#8
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	Re: Roadster top irons 28/29 or 30/31? updrauught #5 has it right. the 30-31 roadster standard irons are hollow with wood top bows. the 30-31 roadster deluxe irons are strap steel, chrome plated with wood top bows. there was no deluxe 28-29 roadster...the irons are hollow like the 30-31 standard roadster.