The Ford Barn

luckyal · 05-09-2013, 05:20 PM

My 1929 Roadster Pickup has a top that lifts off instead of folding down. I see many around that do fold down. Were there two different tops available or is the folding top an after market accesory. Even though I think mine is the original, the fold down would seem to be far more practical. With my lift off you either leave it at home or let it flop around in the box !
Thanks !
Al

1931 flamingo · 05-09-2013, 05:43 PM

I believe the 28-29's were non-folding. Others more knowledgible wil add to this I'm sure.
Paul in CT

Chris Haynes · 05-09-2013, 05:45 PM

Yours is original. LeBarron Booney Company makes the fold down top, which is more practical.

Mad Mac · 05-10-2013, 12:52 AM

I think the original was not meant to be folded down and not meant to be removed either. I still have an original board from my '29 RPU which was bolted onto the rear cab panel at the top of the seat. The top canvas was nailed permanently onto that board with tacks. The hood bows didn't fold down and it was meant to stay put.

lookin-backtexas · 05-10-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

Yours is original. LeBarron Booney Company makes the fold down top, which is more practical.

Chris: You are partially correct (except for spelling LeBaron Bonney). The original top was fixed, meaning it didn't come down like a Roadster top would. LeBaron Bonney makes reproductions which will fold down however they are not original.

Mad Mac's posting is more correct: "I think the original was not meant to be folded down and not meant to be removed either. I still have an original board from my '29 RPU which was bolted onto the rear cab panel at the top of the seat. The top canvas was nailed permanently onto that board with tacks. The hood (think he meant "top") bows didn't fold down and it was meant to stay put."

If the top were able to be laid back, there is no "top rest" in the bed of a pickup.

Fred

Bruce · 05-10-2013, 12:15 PM

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The LB top comes in a big box. It is set up for your truck. Lift it on and snap it down and then fold it down. Top down motoring in a truck! And the top will always be right behind (not left behind) when you need it. If Henry had done it right 80 years ago, he could have charged $200 more for the "Open" Pickup. The additional $$ for the fun factor.

Itchy-Pit · 05-10-2013, 12:51 PM

Had to chime in; 1926-7 Roadster pickup beds differ for this reason. 26 bed pockets were where most are today at the front of the box. Problem made putting the top down impractical and not possible with side boards on. 27 even more funny - moved the pocket forward about a foot to accommodate a top to be folded down with side boards on the bed. Though I have never seen one with side boards and the top down. I would guess Ford got tired of all the complaints - and went with a non folding top for the Rpup's.

28RPU · 05-10-2013, 02:34 PM

Can anyone post a photo of the folding LeBaron Bonney folding top? I tried to look at their web site but its not very friendly to navigate and could not find it there.

Mad Mac · 05-10-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookin-backtexas

The hood (think he meant "top") bows didn't fold down

That's that terminology thing again. In NZ we call the top bows "hood bows". There is ample scope for further trans-pacific confusion in describing a mud-guard ("fender") hand-brake ("emergency brake") bonnet ("hood") and boot (trunk") and there are other examples. Sometimes I think we live in a parallel universe!

lookin-backtexas · 05-10-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Mac

That's that terminology thing again. In NZ we call the top bows "hood bows". There is ample scope for further trans-pacific confusion in describing a mud-guard ("fender") hand-brake ("emergency brake") bonnet ("hood") and boot (trunk") and there are other examples. Sometimes I think we live in a parallel universe!

Or what we might call "Kiwi-ese".

Come to think of it, how did you guys ever come up with calling the top bows "hood bows" and not calling the top itself the "hood" - wouldn't it make more sense to not call the hood the bonnet but rather the top the bonnet? Therefore, they would be "bonnet bows" since that's where most ladies would wear a bonnet.

Geday,
Fred

Mad Mac · 05-10-2013, 04:34 PM

Logic plays no part in it!

lookin-backtexas · 05-10-2013, 04:40 PM

Sort of like when a friend of mine bought a new Jaguar for his wife as an anniversary present and paid extra to get the "Leaping Jaguar" hood ornament - said it was actually called the "Bonnet Leaper."

Fred

Joe K · 05-10-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Mac

I think the original was not meant to be folded down and not meant to be removed either. I still have an original board from my '29 RPU which was bolted onto the rear cab panel at the top of the seat. The top canvas was nailed permanently onto that board with tacks. The hood bows didn't fold down and it was meant to stay put.

My father's story of his 28-29 RPU confirms this. Of course that didn't keep him from pulling all the tacks and removing the top. He thought the truck was much cooler this way to go get ice cream on a summer Saturday night.

Joe K

Rich in Tucson · 05-10-2013, 09:47 PM

I might be interested in the Lebaron-Bonney folding top for the open cab pickup if it was of the plain jane truck style and did not try to look like the Deluxe Roadster style top. I guess you push what you got.

JTW · 05-11-2013, 09:02 PM

A folding set of bows from a 28/29 roadster can be modified to make a folding set that fits on the soft top pickup (RPU), I had the measurements off a set that had been done but can't seem to find them tonight.

Chris Haynes · 05-11-2013, 10:50 PM

I guess I will have snaps where the stock top is nailed to the hardwood. ;-)

Mad Mac · 05-11-2013, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I guess I will have snaps where the stock top is nailed to the hardwood. ;-)

Yes, that's what I did and it works well. And while you are doing it, consider putting a roll-up flap for the rear window.

JTW · 05-12-2013, 06:12 PM

Couldn't find the measurements, but here is a couple of pictures of a set of original Rdstr. bows shortened up to fit on a pickup(hotrod), but the body is standard size.

luckyal · 05-15-2013, 09:44 AM

A bolt on replacement foldable top from Lebaron Bonney is $ 2200 dollars plus tax and shipping ( $ 2500.00 ) ......wow !
Al

Tom Wesenberg · 05-15-2013, 03:39 PM

Wow is right.
I never fold my top down anyway. If I did I'd have rain or the hot sun on me.

05-09-2013, 05:20 PM	#1
luckyal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: wherever I am today, whatzit matter Posts: 431	Top on my " Roadster Pickup " My 1929 Roadster Pickup has a top that lifts off instead of folding down. I see many around that do fold down. Were there two different tops available or is the folding top an after market accesory. Even though I think mine is the original, the fold down would seem to be far more practical. With my lift off you either leave it at home or let it flop around in the box ! Thanks ! Al

05-09-2013, 05:43 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " I believe the 28-29's were non-folding. Others more knowledgible wil add to this I'm sure. Paul in CT

05-09-2013, 05:45 PM	#3
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Yours is original. LeBarron Booney Company makes the fold down top, which is more practical. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

05-10-2013, 12:52 AM	#4
Mad Mac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 366	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " I think the original was not meant to be folded down and not meant to be removed either. I still have an original board from my '29 RPU which was bolted onto the rear cab panel at the top of the seat. The top canvas was nailed permanently onto that board with tacks. The hood bows didn't fold down and it was meant to stay put.

05-10-2013, 12:15 PM	#6
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The LB top comes in a big box. It is set up for your truck. Lift it on and snap it down and then fold it down. Top down motoring in a truck! And the top will always be right behind (not left behind) when you need it. If Henry had done it right 80 years ago, he could have charged $200 more for the "Open" Pickup. The additional $$ for the fun factor.

05-10-2013, 12:51 PM	#7
Itchy-Pit Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near Salinas,CA Posts: 271	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Had to chime in; 1926-7 Roadster pickup beds differ for this reason. 26 bed pockets were where most are today at the front of the box. Problem made putting the top down impractical and not possible with side boards on. 27 even more funny - moved the pocket forward about a foot to accommodate a top to be folded down with side boards on the bed. Though I have never seen one with side boards and the top down. I would guess Ford got tired of all the complaints - and went with a non folding top for the Rpup's.

05-10-2013, 02:34 PM	#8
28RPU Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South central Tenn Posts: 375	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Can anyone post a photo of the folding LeBaron Bonney folding top? I tried to look at their web site but its not very friendly to navigate and could not find it there. __________________ Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.

05-10-2013, 04:34 PM	#11
Mad Mac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 366	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Logic plays no part in it!

05-10-2013, 09:47 PM	#14
Rich in Tucson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 374	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " I might be interested in the Lebaron-Bonney folding top for the open cab pickup if it was of the plain jane truck style and did not try to look like the Deluxe Roadster style top. I guess you push what you got.

05-11-2013, 09:02 PM	#15
JTW Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Owls Head Posts: 257	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " A folding set of bows from a 28/29 roadster can be modified to make a folding set that fits on the soft top pickup (RPU), I had the measurements off a set that had been done but can't seem to find them tonight. __________________ Driving old Fords since 1947

05-11-2013, 10:50 PM	#16
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " I guess I will have snaps where the stock top is nailed to the hardwood. ;-) __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

05-15-2013, 09:44 AM	#19
luckyal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: wherever I am today, whatzit matter Posts: 431	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " A bolt on replacement foldable top from Lebaron Bonney is $ 2200 dollars plus tax and shipping ( $ 2500.00 ) ......wow ! Al

05-15-2013, 03:39 PM	#20
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Top on my " Roadster Pickup " Wow is right. I never fold my top down anyway. If I did I'd have rain or the hot sun on me.