1929 Deluxe Roadster - not

[Bronze]

Hi all,
I am writing my first post here in hope of some help. Admittedly This is my first experience with a model A, but i have been searching the forum thoroughly before asking this question. So, I bought a 1929 Roadster, sold as Deluxe, but havíng done my homework i knew there were no 1929 Deluxe. I am not a purist and like the look of the lower cab so i went for it anyway. Did not understand that i would have the top of the frame in my eyes ... But a lower seat will fix that. However i can not fold the top down properly and that bugs me to no end. When it it as far down as i get it it stands at about 45 degrees and take all visibility backwards. I don't know what year the top is, it has no wooden parts, just metal. It does not reach back long enough to rest the back window on the four studs on the read deck, and the bows does not reach the chrome "handles" that they should rest on. Is this a normal result of of a fake Deluxe conversion or do i have a top that is not suited for a roadster, or am i missing something? Like, am i supposed to disconnect anything when folding it down? Trying to attach a few pics.
THanks /Martin

[100IH]

It is a custom made setup to suit the previous owners likes or it was out of necessity because they could not find the correct top bows. I wouldn't spend too much time trying to find where the top assy. came from, they all look alike to me until the time comes to attach it to the body.

[wrndln]

The top irons have been modified. That is why they wont fold down. it appears that the back 2 irons have been shortened for some reason. There should be a mounting loop on the iron that attaches to the plate with a hole in it on the top, front of the quarterpanel. The top irons should look like the original set I have shown in the picture below.
Rusty Nelson

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Bronze

Hi all,
I am writing my first post here in hope of some help. Admittedly This is my first experience with a model A, but i have been searching the forum thoroughly before asking this question. So, I bought a 1929 Roadster, sold as Deluxe, but havíng done my homework i knew there were no 1929 Deluxe. I am not a purist and like the look of the lower cab so i went for it anyway. Did not understand that i would have the top of the frame in my eyes ... But a lower seat will fix that. However i can not fold the top down properly and that bugs me to no end. When it it as far down as i get it it stands at about 45 degrees and take all visibility backwards. I don't know what year the top is, it has no wooden parts, just metal. It does not reach back long enough to rest the back window on the four studs on the read deck, and the bows does not reach the chrome "handles" that they should rest on. Is this a normal result of of a fake Deluxe conversion or do i have a top that is not suited for a roadster, or am i missing something? Like, am i supposed to disconnect anything when folding it down? Trying to attach a few pics.
THanks /Martin

Hey Martin,
Purist or not, I'm a little concerned that you weren't informed , by seller, that your purchase was not a deluxe A and that the top is a 'HOMEMADE' job. You should at least put your general location with avatar. I say this for a number of reasons, but am thinking if you need shade and/or rain protection where you live, I'd just put that top up (if it will go up and stay) or take it off all together.
Wondering what else the seller didn't reveal to you ? If you got this A reasonably enough, for its condition, well I'd just run it while working on it to your liking.



Welcome to this forum. You might tell us something about yourself and/or how you came to be a Model Aer !

[harryc]

your windshield looks like it may have been chopped also--check height.

[Bronze]

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Thank you all for your replies. Updated my details and Avatar as suggested. Apologies for not doing it earlier. I'm in Sweden, got the car from ebay and i am quite happy that i got a reasonable deal. It is solid but has a few quirks, like this Top. I mean it is a good quality canvas top and it is installed quite professionally...why on earth would someone put that much effort using a botched frame to start with. Not blaming the seller he is a dealer who found it and traded it and in no way a specialist on model A.
Rusty, the set you show in your pictures, is that a standard height, not Deluxe? they look similar to mine so then i have the feeling that a previous owner has tried to do a home made Deluxe by chopping it down. The top goes up very nicely and has i tight snug fit, but i might take it off anyway since this car will not be used in rain, and Swedish sun seldom is a problem Will have a look at the windshield, the frame is a bit worse for wear but i actually thought it was a correct Deluxe one, not chopped. Where do i take the measure and what should it be?

[California Travieso]

Bronze,

Welcome to the Barn. I agree with Hardtimes, you can run it with the top on if you need protection from the weather, if you don't plan to drive in bad weather, take the whole top off.

Here in Inland Southern California, I leave the top on my 29 Roadster up as protection from the sun. In the summer it gets 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and the seat and steering wheel get very hot.

If you want an authentic top that folds down correctly, you can buy either a standard or deluxe top from the Model A suppliers. You probably will also need the correct Stanchions since you said your stanchions appear to have been chopped.

Either way, enjoy your car. You'll find a lot of information just by reading the posts on the Barn.

David Serrano

[russcochiolo]

Bronze, Here are a couple of photos that may help. My roadster is a 1931 40-B Dlx. I'm still an amateur with the camera. The pivot points are 9.25" apart and the glass measures 11.5". I think that a previous owner reduced the height of the windshield and posts, then modified the top to fit. My choice would be to return the windshield and top to the original dimensions when time and money would allow. I'd probably take the top off and run it "as is". Russ

[d.]

all 28-29 open cars are STANDARD. there was no Deluxe offered.

[Bob-A]

Originally Posted by d.

all 28-29 open cars are STANDARD. there was no Deluxe offered.

I think, but I'm no expert. Canada built a 1929 "Sport" model roadster:
Fancy paint with colored wire wheels, chrome folding windshield stanchions,
side mounts, etc. A factory built custom. Australia too, I believe offered
these models.

Bob-A

[wrndln]

Bronze,
Yes, the picture I posted is the standard top irons for 28 and 29 roadsters. Like you said, there were no deluxe roadsters made in 28 or 29.
Rusty Nelson

[updraught]

Looks like the bottom of the irons have been chopped off where they rust out.

This looks better
https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/upl...-A-Hot-Rod.jpg

Speedway dimensions say
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1928-...Steel,757.html

Only one size for 28-29 open cars that I know of.

[Bronze]

Ok, So took a measure of the glass height and it is 10", If i include the frame i get almost 12". So I have neither an original, correct Windshield end top which i knew when i bought the car. But it is not a Deluxe conversion either, it is a home made job that is 1,5" lower than a Deluxe. Thanks everyone for helping me to understand this. Now i will take the top off and enjoy the car as it is while i decide if i shall go the original correct way or if i shall stay on the deluxe track. I kind of like that look and the car is far from perfect anyway. On the other hand new top and windshield is a considerable amount of money to spend on something that anyone knowledgeable will call "wrong"...
Anyone has a set of top irons for sale?

[pooch]

Yes, very odd looking roofline.

The irons look original but chopped at pivot.

The back curtain material should meet at the front material at iron.

This is what makes it look so odd,

The sloping back side line is/was a hot rodder's line of which I don't particularly like.

If a person is making a hotrod, it must have stance and roofline perfect to look any good.

And they have just stuffed up the folding mech as the last pic shows just how far it goes down.

With some work and a new fabric top ,it will be fine.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by wrndln

Bronze,
Yes, the picture I posted is the standard top irons for 28 and 29 roadsters. Like you said, there were no deluxe roadsters made in 28 or 29.
Rusty Nelson

Rusty,

I agree they were not originally made by the factory, but Brookeville Roadster (www.brookevilleroadster.com) sells Deluxe Top Irons for the 28 - 29 Roadster with a 2" chop. They also sell the stanchions and windshield.

They are expensive, but they probably have a demand for them from the hot rod guys.

David Serrano

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

Bronze,

Welcome to the Barn. I agree with Hardtimes, you can run it with the top on if you need protection from the weather, if you don't plan to drive in bad weather, take the whole top off.

Here in Inland Southern California, I leave the top on my 29 Roadster up as protection from the sun. In the summer it gets 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and the seat and steering wheel get very hot.

If you want an authentic top that folds down correctly, you can buy either a standard or deluxe top from the Model A suppliers. You probably will also need the correct Stanchions since you said your stanchions appear to have been chopped.

Either way, enjoy your car. You'll find a lot of information just by reading the posts on the Barn.

David Serrano

i take the hole top off my car, i think it looks better with out it