The Ford Barn

JRShaw · 06-19-2022, 10:27 AM

People: I have a 1931 roadster, and in attempting to put the top on, it seems to be "short" at the back. Top material is Le Barron-Bonny, and the top irons are original 1930/31 Henry Ford steel. We have the top fastened at the stanchions and pulled back and down as far as it will go. The top was in storage for a long time before I got it, and not used by me for a couple of years. ANY thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You
Joel R. Shaw
Fairport, N.Y.

Phil Brown · 06-19-2022, 11:40 AM

Is not the top and windshields on the deluxe open cars lower than a standard
Car ? Deluxe top material on standard top bows ?
How short is the top ?

ronn · 06-19-2022, 12:25 PM

yes roughly 13 1/2 on the deluxe and over 15 on the standard. stantions

Planojc · 06-20-2022, 10:33 AM

Attach the back snaps first with the header off the stanchions, then slowly pull the header down and see if it will stretch into place. Work slowly and it should pull down.

katy · 06-20-2022, 10:42 AM

If it's the correct top it has shrunk. The same thing happens on roadsters and touring cars (phaetons) when the top is left down for a long time.

If this is the case, you need to fasten the top on in every place it should be, then put it under tension to start stretching it, and slowly, over time, keep adding tension as it stretches. May take a long time, up to a year.

gdmn852 · 06-20-2022, 02:21 PM

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Hello, as mentioned the Deluxe and Standard tops are different,with the Standard being taller overall than the Deluxe. Is there any marking on the replacement top to be sure that it is really for your car? Original top would have been black grain material, but that doesn’t mean anything now.Even if it sat unused in a box would not think it would shrink to the point it wouldn’t fit. I had restored a 30 Standard and had the problem the top material didn’t fit, some one had fitted it with a 28 29 top bows that were cobbled up to fit , had to replace top bows .

JRShaw · 06-21-2022, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planojc

Attach the back snaps first with the header off the stanchions, then slowly pull the header down and see if it will stretch into place. Work slowly and it should pull down.

That was a thought that I had also, and it makes a lot of sense. I just wanted to hear other people's thoughts on the topic. Thank You!!

JRShaw · 06-21-2022, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

If it's the correct top it has shrunk. The same thing happens on roadsters and touring cars (phaetons) when the top is left down for a long time.

If this is the case, you need to fasten the top on in every place it should be, then put it under tension to start stretching it, and slowly, over time, keep adding tension as it stretches. May take a long time, up to a year.

Excellent information!! This should prove to be very helpful to me. Thank You Very Much!!

06-19-2022, 10:27 AM	#1
JRShaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Fairport, NY Posts: 133	Standard roadster top question People: I have a 1931 roadster, and in attempting to put the top on, it seems to be "short" at the back. Top material is Le Barron-Bonny, and the top irons are original 1930/31 Henry Ford steel. We have the top fastened at the stanchions and pulled back and down as far as it will go. The top was in storage for a long time before I got it, and not used by me for a couple of years. ANY thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thank You Joel R. Shaw Fairport, N.Y.

06-19-2022, 11:40 AM	#2
Phil Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee Calif. Posts: 510	Re: Standard roadster top question Is not the top and windshields on the deluxe open cars lower than a standard Car ? Deluxe top material on standard top bows ? How short is the top ?

06-19-2022, 12:25 PM	#3
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,794	Re: Standard roadster top question yes roughly 13 1/2 on the deluxe and over 15 on the standard. stantions

06-20-2022, 10:33 AM	#4
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 848	Re: Standard roadster top question Attach the back snaps first with the header off the stanchions, then slowly pull the header down and see if it will stretch into place. Work slowly and it should pull down.

06-20-2022, 10:42 AM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Standard roadster top question If it's the correct top it has shrunk. The same thing happens on roadsters and touring cars (phaetons) when the top is left down for a long time. If this is the case, you need to fasten the top on in every place it should be, then put it under tension to start stretching it, and slowly, over time, keep adding tension as it stretches. May take a long time, up to a year. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

06-20-2022, 02:21 PM	#6
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Standard roadster top question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hello, as mentioned the Deluxe and Standard tops are different,with the Standard being taller overall than the Deluxe. Is there any marking on the replacement top to be sure that it is really for your car? Original top would have been black grain material, but that doesn’t mean anything now.Even if it sat unused in a box would not think it would shrink to the point it wouldn’t fit. I had restored a 30 Standard and had the problem the top material didn’t fit, some one had fitted it with a 28 29 top bows that were cobbled up to fit , had to replace top bows .