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Old 12-21-2013, 08:36 PM   #1
wrndln
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Default Phaeton top rest question

I have a question someone might be able to answer concerning 28/29 phaeton top rests. The question is: Was there a grommet originally used to seal the space around the top rest stud and the large hole in the body quarterpanel? I am attaching a picture of the area I am referring to. This is a picture I downloaded from eBay, I think, and is not my car.
Rusty Nelson

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Old 12-21-2013, 10:05 PM   #2
al's28/33
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

No grommet, either you have the top rest installed (screwed in place) or there was a plug in the hole. They were painted black, not body color.
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Old 12-21-2013, 11:03 PM   #3
wrndln
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Thanks, Al for the information.
Rusty Nelson
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Old 12-21-2013, 11:07 PM   #4
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Rusty,

Ours has black rubber plugs about an inch in diameter (that need to be replaced, they keep coming loose).

I cusory look in Brattons and Snyders on-line catalogs came up with nothing, but I bet if you called them they would be able to locate them.

Robert
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Old 12-22-2013, 02:30 AM   #5
Arlen
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

I've looked and looked. Can't find anybody who has anything even close that works for the rubber plug. If anybody has any luck, share the info please.
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Old 12-22-2013, 07:48 AM   #6
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

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I've looked and looked. Can't find anybody who has anything even close that works for the rubber plug. If anybody has any luck, share the info please.
I checked with Metro Rubber in the Twin Cities, and it would cost a couple grand just to make the first short run. I looked at all their plugs and don't see anything close, nor anything that could be modified to work.
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Old 12-22-2013, 11:02 AM   #7
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

The plug is not rubber but metal. My 1929 Phaeton was purchased from the original owner who was very proud that he had never folded the top. I have never folded the top. It has metal plugs that are not flat but just a bit convex.
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Old 12-22-2013, 12:13 PM   #8
al's28/33
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

I use metal plugs also, mine are flat and have a little play as they are not fit to the exact size of the hole. I do believe they were painted black but mine are the natural metal finish.
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Old 12-22-2013, 12:28 PM   #9
wrndln
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

The problem I can see with flat metal plugs is the area of the quarterpanel is rounded a little. Maybe the curvature isn't enough to cause the plugs to look wrong. I do wonder how difficult it would be to remove the plugs once installed. I know you can find metal plugs that are probably pretty close to what the original metal plugs looked, assuming they were metal, like from ACE hardware. A few month ago, I bought a 1/2" diameter metal plug with a slightly rounded top to it from ACE to plug the wiper hole in the front of the gas tank of my 29 CCPU. Someone sent me a picture of an original gas tank plug and the new one from ACE look just like it. See picture below.
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Old 12-22-2013, 12:48 PM   #10
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Al - can you tell me your source for causing you to think the plugs were painted black ? I have not been able to find anything that says the plugs were painted black.

On my '28 Phaeton, I fold the top down about two or three times a year, so my top bow rest-bolts & saddles are in an out quite a few times. I always put the body hole plug in when the top is up - it looks 'wrong' with a 'gapping' un-filled hole in the body.

My plug is metal and is an exact fit for the hole, which I got from a plumbing / hardware store. A good supplied plumbing shop will have scores and scores of different sizes and shapes of plugs - made of different materials - mostly chromed metal. These have the tension-holder tabs - much like the wheel hubcap - and snap in quite easily, and are quite easy to extract when removing. I painted my metal plugs the same color as my body, which I believe is proper, and draws less attention to the capped hole.

Both my bolt and saddle are painted black. I used to have the rubber grommet for the hole in the body, but it was a pain-in-the-but, as it hindered significantly, my screwing and unscrewing the bolt as it was taken out, and again as it was replaced. Working with the top-saddle bolt is MUCH easier WITHOUT the hole's missing rubber grommet.

I should mention that when I have my top up (90% of the time) I always remove the saddle/bolt, and replace the cap in the body hole. Some phaeton drivers do not bother, so for them, this issue is less of a problem.

Last edited by DougVieyra; 12-22-2013 at 01:06 PM.
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Old 12-22-2013, 02:24 PM   #11
al's28/33
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

It was from one of the Model "A" books, either "as Henry Built it" or "Henry's Lady" just somewhere it mentions that the folding top knob was also black. Mine again is bare metal finish.

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Old 12-22-2013, 02:36 PM   #12
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Quote:
Originally Posted by al's28/33 View Post
It was from one of the Model "A" books, either "as Henry Built it" or "Henry's Lady" just somewhere it mentions that the folding top knob was also black. Mine again is bare metal finish.

I consider "Henry's Lady" a picture book, and not a reference book. Years ago it was one of the first Model A books I bought, but soon learned it was mostly a bunch of pictures of painted Model A whether they were "restored" correctly or not.

Does anyone have proof of the plugs being metal?
Every original I've seen has been rubber.
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Old 12-22-2013, 05:54 PM   #13
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

The plugs that fill the holes where the studs go to hold the top rests when they are removed are black rubber, not metal and not painted body color. The correct rubber plugs are available from Restoration Specialtes and Supply, Inc.P.O.Box 328 Windber, PA. 15963 . Phone Nimber 814-467-9842 or 814-467-9282 and Fax No. 814-467-5323 . Dave Mihalko and Family own this Company. Dave Jr. Made a mold in 2003-2004 to reproduce the correct rubber plugs based on some original plugs that came off of my all original Feb. 28 Phaeton, Engine No. 35 ,363 which I was restoring for fine point judging at thst time. You can call Dave Jr. And ask him for the plugs that he made for Ron Geer since I do not know what number they may have assigned to this item since they have a very large catalog. Ron Geer
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Old 12-22-2013, 07:21 PM   #14
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Thanks, Ron. I will give them a call and see if they have any left.
Rusty Nelson
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Old 12-22-2013, 08:24 PM   #15
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

RS&S has a web site, an online catalog, and a PDF file catalog. I have used them in the past.

http://www.restorationspecialties.com/index.html

I have looked through their catalog for these plugs in the past and not recognized them. Not every part is illustrated in the catalog.

Rusty, please share their part number for the rubber plugs when you get it.
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Old 12-22-2013, 08:31 PM   #16
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Jim,
No problem. I sent them a message to them a short time ago. If I don't get a reply by tomorrow afternoon, I will give them a call.
Rusty Nelson
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Old 12-23-2013, 12:19 AM   #17
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Good thread.....I'll be interested in a set myself now!!
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Old 11-16-2021, 06:36 AM   #18
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Did anyone locate these parts? I just purchased a ‘28 Phaeton and want these plugs. I see Restoration Specialties is still in business, so I’ll call them.
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Old 11-16-2021, 05:00 PM   #19
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

Are top rests available from the vendors? Part number please if they are.
My tourer has never had them but I'd like to have them for when I put the roof down.
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Old 11-16-2021, 05:02 PM   #20
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Default Re: Phaeton top rest question

The rest itself is a threaded on one end rod. It has a saddle with a set screw that clamps to the rod. Both are available from the vendors and you could make the rods.
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