The Ford Barn

fundytides · 10-25-2022, 07:18 AM

I am currently trying to get my top frame ready to install a new top. I have posted this question before but received no information. I have also contacted Ricky at Classic Wood but he couldn't help. So here is the situation. It looks like the wood section of the front bow (header?) has been replaced by a precious owner. My concern is that the size of this replacement header may not be correct and may be too wide creating too much "overhang" above the windshield which would make fitting the new top difficult. Can anyone help with the correct dimensions for the wood. I think the overall length is ok as the clamps fit to the stanchions ok. It is the vertical and horizontal measurements of the wood that I need. Any help would be appreciated.

kurt v · 10-25-2022, 03:57 PM

fundy, you helped me maybe this will help, my 31 roadster header is 49 7/16" long, center width is 2 1/4 wide and forgot to measure thickness , looks like 3/4, i can get it if you need. It tapers down to the ends not much but does taper to the radius.

kurt

fundytides · 10-25-2022, 09:16 PM

Thanks Kurt. Is your car a Standard or Deluxe? I'll measure mine tomorrow and see how it compares.

kurt v · 10-26-2022, 07:46 AM

31 deluxe, i don't know but i would think the only difference would be the height of the windshield.

fundytides · 10-26-2022, 09:36 AM

Unfortunately, a completely different top structure as well. I don't think any of the top components are the same. For example, my front bow (header) is only 42" long (wood only) and the other 2 wood bows are straight vs the curved deluxe ones. Thanks for trying anyway.

Bob C · 10-26-2022, 10:22 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I found this on the MAFFI site. Not sure it is the right bow, maybe Brent or somebody could confirm. If it's right you could order print from The Henry Ford. https://www.thehenryford.org/
Total Records Found: 2
PART NUMBER Part Name PREFIX SUFFIX Notes EI Drawing Date 42055 TOP RIB #1 A
OBSOLETE 3-2660 - 6/3/38 31-16695 1930-07-02 42055 TOP RIB #1 A

14611 1929-11-18

gdmn852 · 10-26-2022, 06:26 PM

Hello, as mentioned I don’t think anything will interchanges from a Deluxe to a Standard top , the Standard top for 30 31 is similar to the earlier 1928 29 , they are more of a steel formed tube design, not sure if pieces interchangeable between those tops . Maybe if someone with a 1928 29 roadster could help out .

Oldbluoval · 10-26-2022, 07:57 PM

28-29 are made of the same design as 30-31 std
But dimension are different. Won’t interchange

fundytides · 10-27-2022, 07:04 AM

Thanks everyone for your comments. reinforces my thoughts that the 30-31 Standard top is unique to that car. Maybe someone with one of these cars can do an actual measurement for me. Seems a lot of the Standards have been converted to Deluxe by restorers so someone with a Deluxe may also have the original standard top frame laying around that they can measure for me.

fundytides · 10-27-2022, 07:55 AM

Thanks Bob for the reference to the drawings. I spent a little while on the site but no luck with the particular bow/header that I am looking for. Very interesting site though

macdonge · 10-28-2022, 05:45 AM

Fundytides: I redid my ‘30 Std top several years ago and kept the original bows. They’re up in the garage loft. Will dig them out this aft, take some pics & measurements and post them for you. Stay tuned.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fundytides · 10-28-2022, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdonge

Fundytides: I redid my ‘30 Std top several years ago and kept the original bows. They’re up in the garage loft. Will dig them out this aft, take some pics & measurements and post them for you. Stay tuned.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks macdonge. All I need is the measurements for the wooden front bow that hangs over the windshield.
Dave.

macdonge · 10-29-2022, 08:45 AM

Here you go. Apologies for the freehand sketch. These are from the uppermost bow in the attached photo. Hope this is what you need!

What part of NB are you from by the way? I was born in Moncton - more years ago than I care to ponder!

Cheers!

fundytides · 10-29-2022, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdonge

Here you go. Apologies for the freehand sketch. These are from the uppermost bow in the attached photo. Hope this is what you need!

What part of NB are you from by the way? I was born in Moncton - more years ago than I care to ponder!

Cheers!

Exactly what I was looking for. Confirms that mine is the right thickness and height, 1 1/2' and 1 1/8". Length seems off as mine is around 42". Also, do you know the purpose of the notch in the center? Mine doesn't have that. Thanks for the help. I live in Saint John.
Dave

Jim M · 10-29-2022, 11:25 AM

I have a 29 Roadster convertible that I put a new top on about 4 years ago. Mine has the two notches is the wood. They are for two support straps that go from front to back to help keep the top from sagging. Hope this helps.

macdonge · 10-30-2022, 07:22 AM

The trimmed sections on either side and the one in the middle are for attachment of the (3) top straps, per pics attached.

Glen

fundytides · 10-30-2022, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdonge

The trimmed sections on either side and the one in the middle are for attachment of the (3) top straps, per pics attached.

Glen

Makes sense. Thanks.

gdmn852 · 11-01-2022, 10:56 AM

Hello again ,you tube had a video on from Lebaron Bonnie showing installation of top on a roadster, chiseling out slots in top bows for the straps, recessed into the wood so they don’t show as bulges on finished top , also make sure the bows have no high spots or irregular surfaces that will show up under the top.

10-25-2022, 03:57 PM	#2
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 353	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood fundy, you helped me maybe this will help, my 31 roadster header is 49 7/16" long, center width is 2 1/4 wide and forgot to measure thickness , looks like 3/4, i can get it if you need. It tapers down to the ends not much but does taper to the radius. kurt

10-25-2022, 09:16 PM	#3
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Thanks Kurt. Is your car a Standard or Deluxe? I'll measure mine tomorrow and see how it compares.

10-26-2022, 07:46 AM	#4
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 353	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood 31 deluxe, i don't know but i would think the only difference would be the height of the windshield.

10-26-2022, 09:36 AM	#5
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Unfortunately, a completely different top structure as well. I don't think any of the top components are the same. For example, my front bow (header) is only 42" long (wood only) and the other 2 wood bows are straight vs the curved deluxe ones. Thanks for trying anyway.

10-26-2022, 10:22 AM	#6
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,755	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I found this on the MAFFI site. Not sure it is the right bow, maybe Brent or somebody could confirm. If it's right you could order print from The Henry Ford. https://www.thehenryford.org/ Total Records Found: 2 PART NUMBER Part Name PREFIX SUFFIX Notes EI Drawing Date 42055 TOP RIB #1 A OBSOLETE 3-2660 - 6/3/38 31-16695 1930-07-02 42055 TOP RIB #1 A 14611 1929-11-18

10-25-2022, 07:18 AM	#1
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood I am currently trying to get my top frame ready to install a new top. I have posted this question before but received no information. I have also contacted Ricky at Classic Wood but he couldn't help. So here is the situation. It looks like the wood section of the front bow (header?) has been replaced by a precious owner. My concern is that the size of this replacement header may not be correct and may be too wide creating too much "overhang" above the windshield which would make fitting the new top difficult. Can anyone help with the correct dimensions for the wood. I think the overall length is ok as the clamps fit to the stanchions ok. It is the vertical and horizontal measurements of the wood that I need. Any help would be appreciated.

10-26-2022, 06:26 PM	#7
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Hello, as mentioned I don’t think anything will interchanges from a Deluxe to a Standard top , the Standard top for 30 31 is similar to the earlier 1928 29 , they are more of a steel formed tube design, not sure if pieces interchangeable between those tops . Maybe if someone with a 1928 29 roadster could help out .

10-26-2022, 07:57 PM	#8
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood 28-29 are made of the same design as 30-31 std But dimension are different. Won’t interchange

10-27-2022, 07:04 AM	#9
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Thanks everyone for your comments. reinforces my thoughts that the 30-31 Standard top is unique to that car. Maybe someone with one of these cars can do an actual measurement for me. Seems a lot of the Standards have been converted to Deluxe by restorers so someone with a Deluxe may also have the original standard top frame laying around that they can measure for me.

10-27-2022, 07:55 AM	#10
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Thanks Bob for the reference to the drawings. I spent a little while on the site but no luck with the particular bow/header that I am looking for. Very interesting site though

10-28-2022, 05:45 AM	#11
macdonge Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Frelighsburg, QC Posts: 166	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Fundytides: I redid my ‘30 Std top several years ago and kept the original bows. They’re up in the garage loft. Will dig them out this aft, take some pics & measurements and post them for you. Stay tuned. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-29-2022, 11:25 AM	#15
Jim M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sebastian, FL Posts: 479	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood I have a 29 Roadster convertible that I put a new top on about 4 years ago. Mine has the two notches is the wood. They are for two support straps that go from front to back to help keep the top from sagging. Hope this helps.

11-01-2022, 10:56 AM	#18
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: 1931 Standard Roadster Top Bow wood Hello again ,you tube had a video on from Lebaron Bonnie showing installation of top on a roadster, chiseling out slots in top bows for the straps, recessed into the wood so they don’t show as bulges on finished top , also make sure the bows have no high spots or irregular surfaces that will show up under the top.