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11-21-2022, 09:44 PM | #1 |
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Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670
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Coupe top question
Can anyone advise if any year coupe came with a vinyl style roof from the factory??
Got one in my shop, but it just doesn't look right
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Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan |
11-21-2022, 10:10 PM | #2 |
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Re: Coupe top question
The 1928/29 Special Coupe had a faux leather covering over the top. There were also the Sport and Business Coupes but they didn't have the D shaped rear quarter windows. The Sport Coupes have landau bars while the Business Coupes did not. The 29 Business Coupe had the slanted oval rear quarter windows.
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11-21-2022, 10:36 PM | #3 |
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Re: Coupe top question
Sport Coupe and Business had more of a canvas roof, not the vinyl.
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Brian SATX |
11-21-2022, 10:40 PM | #4 |
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Re: Coupe top question
What I have in my shop is just a standard 1931 Coupe. I own a sport coupe and have many business coupes. This car has a funny vinyl style top on it.
I was just curious
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Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan |
11-22-2022, 07:51 AM | #5 |
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Re: Coupe top question
Bob,
Mid-28-mid-29 Model A Coupes had vinyl tops that cover down to the middle body reveal, surrounding the rear windows. |
11-22-2022, 10:18 AM | #6 |
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Re: Coupe top question
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11-22-2022, 10:26 AM | #7 |
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Re: Coupe top question
Bob, how about a picture of what you have (in your shop)?
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11-22-2022, 11:53 AM | #8 |
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Re: Coupe top question
There were no Special Coupes in 1931. It may have been that someone made a custom change to the the 1931 in question. A photo is about all that we could make much more comment about.
Vinyl didn't come into use till many years later. The faux leathers for exterior coverings were likely layered. Pyroxylin coated cotton cloth which was embossed with leather grain is what was used for faux leather. Layered type would generally have a rubberized cloth layered with it. The pyroxylin coated cloth is also known as book cloth since it is or was used for book covers. There may still be a source for this type of material but folks don't by hardbound encyclopedias any more so the use of it is limited in the modern era with exception to restoration of deteriorating book bindings. |
11-23-2022, 07:59 AM | #9 |
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Re: Coupe top question
This is my '29 Special, top material extends to the body belt-line. This body style was only produced mid 28-29.
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11-23-2022, 10:09 AM | #10 |
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Re: Coupe top question
Brent's photo is the type of top all 30-31 coupes came with. Rotorwrench's explanation of the material used is correct. Both the business and deluxe coupes all used the same tops which is basically a single sheet of faux leather tacked to the perimeter of the wood roof frame.
The 1931 Cabriolet Brigs body is similar to the coupe but has a retractable canvas top just like a roadster. Check out "How To Restore Your Model A volume 6 ". It gives detailed info on the cabriolet. |
11-23-2022, 10:28 AM | #11 |
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Re: Coupe top question
I am away from the shop for Thanksgiving. I will send a photo when I get back
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Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan |
11-23-2022, 04:11 PM | #12 |
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Re: Coupe top question
About 10 years ago there was a vendor at the Portland Swap Meet that was selling a black vinyl top insert for the Model A coupe. It looked well made and from 10 feet away could easily pass for an original although there was no sign of the usual welting. His sales brochure featured installations on hot-rodded coupes so that was probably his target clientele. I haven't seen his product anywhere since.
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11-29-2022, 06:04 PM | #13 |
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Re: Coupe top question-Update
Here are two photos of the top
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Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan Last edited by Bob from Northport; 08-07-2023 at 05:59 PM. |
11-29-2022, 06:30 PM | #14 |
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Re: Coupe top question
I’am no expert, but that top is butt ugly, it’s going to be pricey to put back to original style
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11-29-2022, 08:05 PM | #15 |
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Re: Coupe top question
It's a shade tree job. It's better than an open roof!
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11-30-2022, 06:43 AM | #16 |
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Re: Coupe top question-Update
Yes, not authentically done but it appears to be serving a purpose. I would suspect the top wood is soft and/or deteriorated and would not hold nails. Maybe the Rood Rail Sides (A-47222 & 47223) offered a little more stability to the tacks for the leatherette??
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11-30-2022, 02:38 PM | #17 |
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Re: Coupe top question
Definitely someone’s fix, but not the way it should be. There should not be any covering on the visor as was done on earlier models. The later coupes have a squarish opening in the framing of the upper body to allow for wooden ceiling ribs,chicken wire, some packing then the vinyl material on top. Hidem welt was used to conceal the edge of the vinyl . These kits used to be available from most of the model a parts sources . It looks like your support framing above the doors may be in bad shape,judging by the nail dents. There is shaped body metal under the fabric on your car that will need some attention , once the covering is off . Hope this helps.
Don |
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