The Ford Barn

skidmarks · 10-03-2019, 06:57 PM

1948 ford convertible.

Between the dash and the garnish moldings, is there a narrow piece of stainless trim? Like a small bead around the edge?

Another question, was there an accessory gas door lock or was that a JC whitney piece?

Sod Buster · 10-03-2019, 07:14 PM

Not sure bout the dash piece but the locking gas cap door should be original, I guess some people stole gas back then also.

Bill · 10-04-2019, 08:17 AM

For sure on a 48 wagon there is a piece of stainless trim between the dash and the windshield garnish mldg. Conv. should be the same. It's held in place by a fabric inserted into the stainless. The fabric pretty much disintegrates over time and inserting new fabric into the stainless is pretty much impossible. Besides being an attractive piece I think it may serve as an anti squeak device.
The fabric on mine was toast 40 years ago the stainless is still perfect. It sits on a shelf in the garage... Bill

skidmarks · 10-04-2019, 08:54 AM

That's the way it was described to me, but the disintegrated material he thought was rotted metal. Maybe its rust attached to the fabric remains. I haven't seen the piece in person yet.

Sounds like chances of restoring the piece is pretty slim.

Darrell S · 10-04-2019, 01:13 PM

Looking at a picture of a 48 convertible dash online that trim looks like stainless fender welting. Would that be the same material?

flathead48 · 10-04-2019, 02:20 PM

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There is a SS trip piece, you probably could make it out of SS fender welt.

supereal · 10-04-2019, 02:55 PM

We used stainless steel fender welting from C&G (800) 266-0470, part number 48-16070-SS. It costs $3/foot, and you can order just the amount you need.

skidmarks · 10-04-2019, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supereal

We used stainless steel fender welting from C&G (800) 266-0470, part number 48-16070-SS. It costs $3/foot, and you can order just the amount you need.

How was it size wise compared to the original?

Bill · 10-04-2019, 05:02 PM

If you want have a look at car #427 on todays BJ auction list. it's a 48 conv. Shows a good pic of chrome fender welt used in place of the factory SS trim. Its double the size of the original and appears to wrap up around the garnish mldg. The factory piece ends where the turnup begins on the garnish. Use it in a pinch if you must it's not as attractive as the original.
A solution is go to an upholstery supplier and get a piece of very small diameter "piping". It's very pliable and you may be able to rattle can spray it chrome color. Just a suggestion... Bill

4dFord/SC · 10-04-2019, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

A solution is go to an upholstery supplier and get a piece of very small diameter "piping". It's very pliable and you may be able to rattle can spray it chrome color. Just a suggestion... Bill

Along this line, you might be able to use the windshield welting from 1940. Don't know if it's still available, but Roy Nacewicz had it.

Gary in La. · 10-04-2019, 07:21 PM

On the '46-'48 convertible the chrome welting goes all the way around the garnish. There were small clips that covered where the 2 ends meet. These are almost impossible to find as is the original size stainless welting. I talked to Bob Drake years ago at a Grand National meet about making these but don't think it ever was done. The fabric almost always is deteriorated to the point of being powder.

supereal · 10-05-2019, 12:48 PM

The original stainless trim is a bit smaller in diameter, but the welting looks good when in place. I did have to make clips where the ends meet. As usual, finding most parts for open cars is difficult. It took me months to track down a window regulator for my '47. When I got the car, someone had installed a window regulator from a closed car. The convertible regulator takes nine turns to raise or lower the glass, instead of half that for open cars. The windows are very heavy due to the frames. Even so, we had to disassemble the regulator so we could rebuild missing gear teeth. I have owned the car for 23 years and have a shelf of trophies for it. I love the car but it is now for sale.

10-03-2019, 06:57 PM	#1
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	1948 ford convertible garnish molding question 1948 ford convertible. Between the dash and the garnish moldings, is there a narrow piece of stainless trim? Like a small bead around the edge? Another question, was there an accessory gas door lock or was that a JC whitney piece?

10-03-2019, 07:14 PM	#2
Sod Buster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 134	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question Not sure bout the dash piece but the locking gas cap door should be original, I guess some people stole gas back then also.

10-04-2019, 08:17 AM	#3
Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 469	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question For sure on a 48 wagon there is a piece of stainless trim between the dash and the windshield garnish mldg. Conv. should be the same. It's held in place by a fabric inserted into the stainless. The fabric pretty much disintegrates over time and inserting new fabric into the stainless is pretty much impossible. Besides being an attractive piece I think it may serve as an anti squeak device. The fabric on mine was toast 40 years ago the stainless is still perfect. It sits on a shelf in the garage... Bill

10-04-2019, 01:13 PM	#5
Darrell S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everett WA Posts: 346	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question Looking at a picture of a 48 convertible dash online that trim looks like stainless fender welting. Would that be the same material?

10-04-2019, 02:20 PM	#6
flathead48 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 1,110	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There is a SS trip piece, you probably could make it out of SS fender welt.

10-04-2019, 08:54 AM	#4
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question That's the way it was described to me, but the disintegrated material he thought was rotted metal. Maybe its rust attached to the fabric remains. I haven't seen the piece in person yet. Sounds like chances of restoring the piece is pretty slim.

10-04-2019, 02:55 PM	#7
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question We used stainless steel fender welting from C&G (800) 266-0470, part number 48-16070-SS. It costs $3/foot, and you can order just the amount you need.

10-04-2019, 05:02 PM	#9
Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 469	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question If you want have a look at car #427 on todays BJ auction list. it's a 48 conv. Shows a good pic of chrome fender welt used in place of the factory SS trim. Its double the size of the original and appears to wrap up around the garnish mldg. The factory piece ends where the turnup begins on the garnish. Use it in a pinch if you must it's not as attractive as the original. A solution is go to an upholstery supplier and get a piece of very small diameter "piping". It's very pliable and you may be able to rattle can spray it chrome color. Just a suggestion... Bill

10-04-2019, 07:21 PM	#11
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question On the '46-'48 convertible the chrome welting goes all the way around the garnish. There were small clips that covered where the 2 ends meet. These are almost impossible to find as is the original size stainless welting. I talked to Bob Drake years ago at a Grand National meet about making these but don't think it ever was done. The fabric almost always is deteriorated to the point of being powder.

10-05-2019, 12:48 PM	#12
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: 1948 ford convertible garnish molding question The original stainless trim is a bit smaller in diameter, but the welting looks good when in place. I did have to make clips where the ends meet. As usual, finding most parts for open cars is difficult. It took me months to track down a window regulator for my '47. When I got the car, someone had installed a window regulator from a closed car. The convertible regulator takes nine turns to raise or lower the glass, instead of half that for open cars. The windows are very heavy due to the frames. Even so, we had to disassemble the regulator so we could rebuild missing gear teeth. I have owned the car for 23 years and have a shelf of trophies for it. I love the car but it is now for sale.