Hot Rods Converting 1928 special to standard coupe roof.

Hey guys, couldn't pass up this 28 special coupe was just to solid. Well I really would like to convert it to a standard roof so I can chop & paint to my likings. I'm looking for insight from someone that's done this before. Will the standard roof pieces bolt onto this car? Any issues? Thanks, Joe

 

Excuse my ignorance, but why is it called a special coupe and what is a standard roof ?

 

My Avatar is a "Special Coupe". Special coupes are noticeable because of the "vinyl roof" look to them having the material like that normally covering the opening of the roof cover the whole roof top down to the belt line in the back. Beyond the looks, when you take off that material you will find a different structure under there that consists of a bunch of formed metal pieces screwed into a wood frame. Figuring ala Henry, maybe this was a way to use up scrap sheet metal? Along the lines that you can do almost anything, making this change will not be easy. When I bought my body, the person who had it marked it up for chopping but then sold it to me. I never asked why he didn't do it. I left the body stock height--but I didn't think I had the know how to chop it or anything else for that matter. Hope the picture helps. Whatever you do--keep the bottom trim band because these are almost impossible to find.

Pete

 

But... doesn't "28 Special" have a nice ring to it? Gary

 

If you do the conversion, make sure to be careful when you strip off the original Special trim strips. Some of them, especially the back belt line, are valuable to restorers.

 

The standard coupe roof will bolt on. Simple once you find a standard roof.

You may need to get creative with what you have and parts from a different make car. I have a roof from a Chevy that looks like it could work with a few cuts here and there.

As others have said, treat the trim at the base of the roof with care. Henry quit making them a few years back, something like 86 years ago.

Neal

 

Nice find...

 

'A ' special coupes, standard coupes, and sport coupes, all used the same lower quarters, the tops were all different. The special coupe top, covered in vinyl had a lot of wood in it, because it was cheaper. I looked for a long time for a standard coupe top and finally adapted a special coupe top corner to complete my coupe. It will bolt on if you can find one. I combined a bunch of 29 parts to complete my coupe. Lower was a sport coupe at one time, upper mostly a standard coupe, except the one corner.

 

Damned that's a nice survivor of a rare car! Of course when you chop it you'll get rid of those kool rare sidemounts too.
No further comments.

 

I think it needs a flathead v8 35 wires juice brakes and left alone far as body but your car do what you like

 

Good luck finding a regular coupe roof

 

My avatar is a 28 Special Coupe that I built in the mid 90's, I also have a 29 Special Coupe that is a stocker. I like them because they are different. They are right that the standard top will fit on the Special coupe body but you will have to find one.

 

Sorry I forgot I was on a restoration site. Hey when I pull the body off you can come buy them from me. They are super rare, so they won't be cheap!

 

My father has a 29 special coupe chopped 4" and new vinyl put back on after it was done. Looks great, & might be easier than finding a coupe roof that's useable.

 

Check this link:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/question-about-29-special-coupe.672903/#post-7475275

Rich

 

Special coupe looks nice. Chopped Special Coupe looks great.

Or do a channel un-chopped special coupe?
Would that make it a special special coupe? Or just plain awesome?

 

You mean something like this?

 

The five window pieces you already have,the back window is from a Tudor sedan. Just cut off at the belt line and you got your piece!

 

Damn that's a cool looking car.

 

Hey man I just pealed the rotten leather off the top and I have some Frankenstein pieces that are super rusty. Going to blast what I have and see what's useable.

 

So? What have we learned after the trip to the blaster?

 

Quarter window pieces and the pieces above the doors are paper thin, Im looking for a standard roof to put on the car.

 

I have found 1 complete roof but they were high priced at $1,600 rocky mountain relics has it if anyone is interested.

 

Buy a repo 32 roof and put it on......really cool look - I know its been done before.....

 

Funny you should mention that cause I've been looking at this and wondering how close it would be.

 

I am building a special coupe also. make sure you take the bottom trim band and the drip rails very carefully No repops of those pieces.

 

30-31 ?? I do have the center panel too. It took a long time to find the pieces, and they weren't cheap ( not $1600. !), but I've got everything but one 1/4 window inside trim.

I was going to un-chop my coupe, but ran out of ambition. Where are you in Mass.??

 

I know if you search there are a couple of threads on here about using the front section/header (one a sedan and one a coupe) and what it takes to make the windshield work against the cowl......also I remeber seeing a pic of a vintage rod with the entire roof swapped...

 

Nope, "Hot Rods" on the menu here - chop away ( just don't let the "Fordbarn guys catch you!)