Roadster Seat Springs Difference

[Mountain Dew]

What is the difference between the front seat springs of a 28-29 roadster versus the 30-31 roadster? The suppliers have them listed with different prices but no pictures. My 28 roadster has the 30-31 style upholstery on the seat and I'm not sure if the springs are correct. Is there an easy way to tell?

[Marco Tahtaras]

You can hopefully see the details from the bottom, looking through to the top of the spring unit. The '28-29 spring has about four spring wires running fore and aft. These wires have a squared "U" shaped dip about 1/3 back from the front. That "dip" measures about 1" deep by 1-1/2 wide fore and aft in each of those wires (from memory). This is to accommodate the drawn down cross welt on the seat cushion cover on '28-29 Roadsters and Phaetons.

[Mountain Dew]

Here is a picture. Is it 28-29?

[wardkew]

I have my 31 springs sitting right here next to me and it looks different that what you have. I'll post some pics in a couple minutes.

[wardkew]

Here are my '31 springs.

[Mountain Dew]

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Judging from what Marco said about the "U" shaped dip 1/3 way back, I would say I have a 28-29 seat spring with 30-31 upholstery. The pictures of Wardkew's 31 springs don't show that.

[Marco Tahtaras]

What you show appears to be a repro '28-29 spring made by Carlin in Texas back in the 70's. It should be OK as long as the lengthwise tie wires are repositioned to be parallel.

The spring that "wardkew" pictured is the dropped center type introduced in late 1930 to increase headroom. I should add that wardkew's spring is the real deal (original Ford) which is unusually nice for an original open car spring!