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Projects roadster tops home built

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by rustyrods, Feb 5, 2016.

  1. rustyrods
    Joined: Jun 14, 2005
    Posts: 364

    rustyrods
    Member
    from Dixon,Il.

    Can I see some home made model"A" and early 30's Roadster tops?
     
    PONTNAK123 likes this.
  2. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1454723379.914073.jpg . Bought the irons, cut to fit, made bows and had a shop cover it
     
    PONTNAK123 likes this.
  3. 41 C28
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,772

    41 C28
    Member

    H 749.JPG omemade bows and header professional trimmer made the canvas.
     
    VANDENPLAS and PONTNAK123 like this.
  4. I made up my own frame, and had my upholsterer pad and cover it. It's chopped 2 1/2".

    [​IMG]
     

  5. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    downloadfile-8.jpg
    downloadfile-27.jpg

    Made the bows and the top. Store bought irons modified.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Feb 5, 2016
  6. rustyrods
    Joined: Jun 14, 2005
    Posts: 364

    rustyrods
    Member
    from Dixon,Il.

    nice job guy's
     
  7. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

  8. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    I'm tryin to make mine and for those of you that have done it I doff my internet hat! making a top that folds back into a predetermined location and doesn't require a set of wrenches, prybars and torches to operate is a whole brand new level of difficulty.
    I Salute!
     
    bct and lothiandon1940 like this.
  9. Even Ford struggled with it when they engineered the '57-'59 retractables.:D:eek:
     
    brady1929 likes this.
  10. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    I steamed them but it was only partially successful. For the steam to work you need green or at least non kiln dried. After i steamed I clamped them on the form then laminated.

    My biggest mistake was not enough arc in the main bow. Looked great flat but when it is tipped back it lost some. The tight fabric flattened it even more.
     
  11. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    If you were to do it again , would you laminate { I was thinking 1/8" thick strips ??} or would you try steam ?? I think you're saying the "top" of the bow needs a crown ??
    dave
     
  12. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    Laminate for sure way more stable. 1/8" is fine but you will need nice straight grain without steam. The stock radius was huge and too buggy looking for my hot rod. When i went to a smaller radius it got difficult. I did both.
    if i lived back east i would find a nice chunk of green oak , riv out some edge grain, machine and steam the strips
    Yes im talking the crown across the top. more arc than you think.

    Im on my third mock up on my touring and getting close . The pic below was the first try.
    100_4373.jpg
     
    Okie Pete likes this.
  13. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Thank you .! I've been "planning " to do this for quite some time , finding someone who's done it sure helps !!
    dave
     
  14. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    Anytime . Just ask. The whole thing was great fun . It was my first try at a top but i have been woodworking for years.

    Another tip is to make the pattern for the fabric out of 6mil clear poly and thumb tacks . Draw your seams with a sharpie , transfer layer to layer , add your hem and good to go.
     
  15. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Same here w/the woodworking , but I've never tried any bending before ... believe me , if I can get off my dead ass & get started , I'm sure I'll have more ???
    dave
     
  16. AeroCraftsman
    Joined: Jul 29, 2004
    Posts: 330

    AeroCraftsman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I cut down a set of Model A standard irons which is a little tricky because they're tapered tubes. I used a deluxe windshield with 32 stanchions, then flipped the header bow upside down so it's "channeled" over the windshield. It'll still fold back if I need it to..
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1454777518.155952.jpg
     
  17. Built these from 3/4" strap and oak. 104.JPG 117.JPG
     
    hfh, Okie Pete and falcongeorge like this.
  18. iafraser39
    Joined: Aug 2, 2009
    Posts: 186

    iafraser39
    Member
    from Warmland

    Mine is made up of strap steel and thin wall tubing. It folds flat and there is no fasteners on the body as it floats on the body moulding. I had an upholstery shop cover it. 20150923 047.JPG 20150923 107.JPG 20150923 107.JPG
     
    hfh, Okie Pete, duncan and 1 other person like this.
  19. Firecat7
    Joined: Dec 11, 2011
    Posts: 269

    Firecat7
    Member

    Just a warning....always keep the roof line over the door parallel to top of door. anything else is just goofy wrong and looks homemade. their are a few fine example on this post. good luck
     
  20. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,804

    Fogger
    Member

    When I bought my roadster 10 years ago it included original top irons and bows. The bows were cracked and unusable. I had chopped the windshield 3" and fit the irons to the body, that wasn't square. I used bows from LaBaron-Bonney and cut and tapered them to get the right contour, took me longer to weld the irons and fit the bows than it took the top shop to stitch the cover. Main reason for the days spent was draping cotton drop cloth over the bows and fitting it all together until I was happy with the profile. LARS 2015.jpg LARS 2015.jpg
     
    rtomss, hfh, Tim_with_a_T and 10 others like this.
  21. RICK R 44
    Joined: Dec 13, 2009
    Posts: 474

    RICK R 44
    Member

    Re worked 70's M G B bowes and covered them myself with marine grade polyester. If you want more pics and info, e mail me at [email protected]
     
  22. 32 Barn Car
    Joined: Jul 2, 2008
    Posts: 663

    32 Barn Car
    Member
    from Oregon

    Original top frame /irons and bows , both cut and shaped for this build.......

    P1010015.JPG

    IMG_4246aabb.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2016
    bct, RICH B, Okie Pete and 3 others like this.
  23. iafraser39
    Joined: Aug 2, 2009
    Posts: 186

    iafraser39
    Member
    from Warmland

    Hi , You emailed me about the cost.
    The upholstery shop charged me $1,100 Canadian which is about $800. U.S.
     
  24. JimmyD3234
    Joined: Dec 3, 2015
    Posts: 616

    JimmyD3234
    Member
    from PA

  25. cory27t
    Joined: Apr 5, 2011
    Posts: 406

    cory27t
    Member
    from US

    I love the top Chris Casny did for his A roadster. I don't know if he had anything about it in his build thread, but I know that he did the whole thing and it looks bitchin. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1454796719.195712.jpg
     
    Tim_with_a_T, Okie Pete, hfh and 5 others like this.
  26. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,341

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    I agree, really good looking top on that car.
     
  27. bobbytnm
    Joined: Dec 16, 2008
    Posts: 1,668

    bobbytnm
    Member

  28. Chris Casny
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,874

    Chris Casny
    Member

    Thanks, here are a few more pics of my top. IMG_0098.jpg IMG_0217.jpg IMG_0266.jpg IMG_0108.jpg
     
    hfh, Tim_with_a_T, Okie Pete and 2 others like this.
  29. ratster
    Joined: Sep 23, 2001
    Posts: 3,588

    ratster
    Member

  30. cory27t
    Joined: Apr 5, 2011
    Posts: 406

    cory27t
    Member
    from US

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