Roadster Top

[GordonC]

Hi,

Does anyone know if the folding top irons from a 1929 roadster could be used on a 1931 roadster? I doubt it would be a bolt on but has anyone used them and what modifications were needed? Thanks.

Gordon

[darrylkmc]

GordonC,

Here is a link to a thread that I started regarding '30-'31 Phaeton Top Dimensions. Basically the answer applies to both the Phaeton and Roadster.

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51230

To Quote Marco Tahtaras:

"They are dimensionally different at both the front and the rear however. I can't help much on the dimensions but if the top bows are complete you can check the distance between the clamp brackets that mount to the top of the stanchions.The '30-31 top will be more than 2" wider at this point and that dimension you can get from your car."

Darryl in Fairbanks

[GordonC]

Thanks Daryl. Doesn't seem to be a wealth of information in this area. Appreciate the help.

Gordon

[darrylkmc]

Gordon,

I know what you mean, I do see '30-'31 Standard Roadster Top Irons for sale periodically but I have yet to see an original set of '30-'31 Standard Phaeton Top Irons.

Darryl in Fairbanks

[Larry Seemann]

The basic answer is that it would be harder to adapt '29 top irons to a '31 than it would be worth. It would make more sense to get '31 top irons.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Originally Posted by darrylkmc

Gordon,

I know what you mean, I do see '30-'31 Standard Roadster Top Irons for sale periodically but I have yet to see an original set of '30-'31 Standard Phaeton Top Irons.

Darryl in Fairbanks

Check with Jim Sinclair for Phaeton top bows. He had a nice original set at the Model A swap meet this summer.

[waltere]

29 body is about 2" narrower than a 30-31. I believe it would not be worth the trouble.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by GordonC

Thanks Daryl. Doesn't seem to be a wealth of information in this area. Appreciate the help.

Gordon

There won't be much info as they are so different. The '28-29 bows are much nicer with the more elaborate scissor mechanism but I've never heard of anyone going through the trouble to redesign one.

It's an interesting task adapting/resizing top bows to look right and also fold properly so the proportions are proper with the top both up and down. I don't recall what the top bows were from that we used but when I was just out of high school I helped re-engineer them to properly fit the '29 Duesenberg below. A few years later I redid the interior. I wish they would have had me redo the top covering someone else had done as it didn't match the caliber of the car.

As a side note, that was a GREAT car to drive!

[Bob-A]

Marco,

Was the Duesy super charged? I believe the SJ {super charged J model}
Duesenburgs did not come out untill 1933. But the factory would retro fit older models. The outside exhaust was standard on the SJ models, but could be bought as an accessory for the normally aspirated J's. Also,
what was it like to drive??

Bob-A

[GordonC]

Thanks folks. I suspected it might be more work than it would be worth but needed to hear it from folks with more experience than I have.

Gordon