The Ford Barn

Bob from Northport · 11-21-2022, 09:44 PM

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

rotorwrench · 11-21-2022, 10:10 PM

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.

Brian SATX · 11-21-2022, 10:36 PM

Sport Coupe and Business had more of a canvas roof, not the vinyl.

Bob from Northport · 11-21-2022, 10:40 PM

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

jb-ob · 11-22-2022, 07:51 AM

Bob,

Mid-28-mid-29 Model A Coupes had vinyl tops that cover down to the middle body reveal, surrounding the rear windows.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-22-2022, 10:18 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ford used a Leatherette material which was basically a rubberized leather. Does your vehicle look like this??

katy · 11-22-2022, 10:26 AM

Bob, how about a picture of what you have (in your shop)?

rotorwrench · 11-22-2022, 11:53 AM

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.

kbinde2 · 11-23-2022, 07:59 AM

This is my '29 Special, top material extends to the body belt-line. This body style was only produced mid 28-29.

CT Jack · 11-23-2022, 10:09 AM

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.

Bob from Northport · 11-23-2022, 10:28 AM

I am away from the shop for Thanksgiving. I will send a photo when I get back

ursus · 11-23-2022, 04:11 PM

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.

Bob from Northport · 11-29-2022, 06:04 PM

Here are two photos of the top

Big hammer · 11-29-2022, 06:30 PM

I’am no expert, but that top is butt ugly, it’s going to be pricey to put back to original style

rotorwrench · 11-29-2022, 08:05 PM

It's a shade tree job. It's better than an open roof!

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-30-2022, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport

Here are two photos of the top

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??

Don S · 11-30-2022, 02:38 PM

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

11-21-2022, 09:44 PM	#1
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	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 __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan

11-21-2022, 10:10 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	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.

11-21-2022, 10:36 PM	#3
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: Coupe top question Sport Coupe and Business had more of a canvas roof, not the vinyl. __________________ Brian SATX

11-21-2022, 10:40 PM	#4
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	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 __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan

11-22-2022, 07:51 AM	#5
jb-ob Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 640	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
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,520	Re: Coupe top question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ford used a Leatherette material which was basically a rubberized leather. Does your vehicle look like this?? __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-22-2022, 10:26 AM	#7
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Coupe top question Bob, how about a picture of what you have (in your shop)? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

11-22-2022, 11:53 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	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, 10:09 AM	#10
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	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
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	Re: Coupe top question I am away from the shop for Thanksgiving. I will send a photo when I get back __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan

11-23-2022, 04:11 PM	#12
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,375	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.

11-29-2022, 06:04 PM	#13
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	Re: Coupe top question-Update Here are two photos of the top __________________ 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
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	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 __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

11-29-2022, 08:05 PM	#15
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Coupe top question It's a shade tree job. It's better than an open roof!

11-30-2022, 02:38 PM	#17
Don S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Penticton British Columbia Canada Posts: 244	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