The Ford Barn

SixSquaredFord · 04-04-2025, 10:27 AM

I could use some opinions on what to do with the convertible top.

First some background info:

I have somewhat recently become the owner of my family's 1936 sedan convertible. My great grandmother bought it new. It was then passed to my grandmother and then father before making its way to me.

It sat in my father's garage since 1969. I started working on it in November, and got it running for Christmas as kind of a Christmas present for my father (hadn't run in 55 years or so).

The top is probably 70 years old, but is visually in excellent shape (it's currently up). However, all the weatherstripping has lost all flexibility and will inevitably break if the top is taken down. The fabric may have also lost some flexibility and there is some danger of it tearing too, I would think.

The car had been painted once in the 60's but hasn't really undergone any sort of restoration. There are some paint chips and bubbling, scratches, etc. Historically it was used as a daily driver (my dad says it's on its fourth engine). So, although in surprisingly good condition, it's no show car.

Plans for the car are ice cream stand runs with the grandkids, maybe a few local cruise nights, maybe a local car show, and possibly a parade. It will never again see rain or even a wet road.

So back to the opinion request - Do I just leave it alone since it is intact and in visually excellent condition? Do I take it down and just leave it down forever? Am I being overly cautions, and putting up and down isn't something to b concerned about? Some other option?

The first option of course would be the easiest, least likely to break anything, and would keep it cool when sitting in the sun... but ummmm - it's a convertible.

Thoughts?

04-04-2025, 10:27 AM	#1
SixSquaredFord Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Posts: 16	Need Convertible Top Opinions I could use some opinions on what to do with the convertible top. First some background info: I have somewhat recently become the owner of my family's 1936 sedan convertible. My great grandmother bought it new. It was then passed to my grandmother and then father before making its way to me. It sat in my father's garage since 1969. I started working on it in November, and got it running for Christmas as kind of a Christmas present for my father (hadn't run in 55 years or so). The top is probably 70 years old, but is visually in excellent shape (it's currently up). However, all the weatherstripping has lost all flexibility and will inevitably break if the top is taken down. The fabric may have also lost some flexibility and there is some danger of it tearing too, I would think. The car had been painted once in the 60's but hasn't really undergone any sort of restoration. There are some paint chips and bubbling, scratches, etc. Historically it was used as a daily driver (my dad says it's on its fourth engine). So, although in surprisingly good condition, it's no show car. Plans for the car are ice cream stand runs with the grandkids, maybe a few local cruise nights, maybe a local car show, and possibly a parade. It will never again see rain or even a wet road. So back to the opinion request - Do I just leave it alone since it is intact and in visually excellent condition? Do I take it down and just leave it down forever? Am I being overly cautions, and putting up and down isn't something to b concerned about? Some other option? The first option of course would be the easiest, least likely to break anything, and would keep it cool when sitting in the sun... but ummmm - it's a convertible. Thoughts?