31 Roadster

[GAR64]

Was looking at the 31 Roadster that my father just brought home. Has a rod on the steering column instead of the normal starter button on the floor. Can't figure why someone would do this. Beautiful car. Also, anyone know a good product to clean the top?

[Mike V. Florida]

There was a period accessory called a "sparky-start", that could be what you have.

As for the top,

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...n+roadster+top

[Dollar Bill]

As Mike well advised, I too think you have one of the accessories that allow you to start the motor without using your foot. Since you mentioned a rod by the steering column, I wonder if you have a Duotrol?

As for cleaning your top, I bought a highly recommended kit and did it myself. Top was cleaner but it dried with a lot of water stains that I have been unsuccessful in removing. I would recommend having it professionally cleaned and Scotch Guarded.

[GAR64]

That Duotrol looks like it is both the choke and starter. Apparently this was installed just so you didn't have to use the button. The top is ok but dirty in the corners etc. Lots of time to clean before the Spring.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Dirty top stains come out with a soaking of T.S.P. & WICK it out with a TERRY CLOTH. WICKING is the SECRET, NOT RUBBING!
Bill Clean

[Jeff/Illinois]

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GAR64, a fellow old car enthusiast with a '26 Willys Phaeton once told me to use corn meal, brush it in real good and vacuum it off. Haven't tried it myself but worth a try.

Is your Roadster top a LeBarron Bonney?? The grain looks different from what I recall them being,,maybe it's just the picture.

That is one advantage of a '29 Roadster with a black top!! Or a '30-'31 Standard Roadster!

[GAR64]

The picture above is not mine. This is mine.

[CWPASADENA]

What I believe you have is a Fulton "Starting Lever" or as I have also heard them referred to as an "Up-Start".

I hade one on my '31 Roadster back in the late 1950's when I was going to college.

I now have one on my '30 Tudor that I use for touring.

It only controls the starter, not the choke.

You just pull up on the lever to activate the starter. It just makes starting the car a little easier and I find it more convenient that using the foot operated button.

Chris W.

[Jerry in Shasta]

If you wore number 14 shoes you would understand the need to move the starter switch.
JB

[GAR64]

Actually, I would think anyone who has size 14 shoes would not even be able to get in the car. I know that the seat on the tudor can me modified nicely but not much can be done with the roadster. I can get myself in there but the raising my legs to use the pedals is tough. Was everyone 5' tall back in the day??

[Jeff/Illinois]

Yeah not much room to drag your clod hoppers thru the space between the door sill and the seat riser on a Roadster, I do concur

The early V-8's aren't nearly so bad they made a little more room in them......