Hot Rods 32 Cabriolet top help needed

My dads Cabriolet project is in the works to get finished. It is missing a handful of parts from when it went into paint though. It has a new stainless set of top irons, but the wood header above the windshield went missing at the body guys. A new header has been found but I will need the latches, as well as whatever connects the top irons to the header. Could probably fab the later if I had any idea what it was supposed to be. Does anybody have any pictures of the latches, any knowledge of other latches that work, or what that connection point loos like?

thanks,

 

2018WescottCatalogMaster.indd (wescottsauto.com)

 

I'd be crawling up the body guys ass. No excuse for losing parts that rare.

 

Everything possible is being done, but in the end we need the parts somehow.

 

The wood header is not a small part. How could they lose something that big ? I agree with Krylon 32.

 

I agree, it had the latches on it as well. I have pictures of it on the car, but only from the front. Still, I don't have it now. I looked at that catalog picture, but am not any wiser as to what this assembly looks like.

 

I would wonder about the accuracy of the Wescott ad as posted, it lists the cabriolet & B 400 as the same windshield, I believe the B 400 & sport coupes are swing out design & the cabriolet is a fixed mount, not that you're in need of either just wondering about the ad being correct.

 

PM @Hamtown Al
He has a very nice one.

 

It's going to look something like this

bit this is a late '31 but I suspect it is similar. The picture in the Wescot catalogue make me think so. There are big pins on the windshield post and they fit into the sockets in the top header. The thumb screw wingnut tightens to hold it down. @Hamtown Al is a '32. I happen to know where there is a B400 of you need more information, let me know as it is a nice original car.
I've been thru it with body shops, top shops....they steal stuff to sell...that's why they can't find it.... sorry but best of luck

 

Looks like the latches have turned up, but no header (they were installed on the header, so no idea about that.)

 

As I understand your shopping list:
1. Latches
No latch but rather a socket that fits over a dowel on the windshield and locks using a thumbscrew. We make the socket and sell thumbscrews that will work. I am out of stock but have a bunch of casting to machine and send to the plater. Per original Ford parts book the socket fits 1931-32 Cabriolet, and the A-400 and B-400.
2. The front arm on the top irons attaches directly to the wood header. See winduptoy's picture. If you are missing the arm contact me, I have an original set of irons for patterns and will expedite making that arm.
3. Header metal cover. You can see it in winduptoy's picture. Oak Bows in Pennsylvania might have them, otherwise not reproduced at this time.
4. Bumpers between header and windshield. There were three. You can see two and the hole for the third in winduptoy's photo. Note there were two different ones used. The early style (which winduptoy's looks to be) has a smaller hole and the bumper snaps into the hole and compresses against the wood (also used on 1931 68-C and A-400). The late style is larger and uses a center screw to hold it in place with the hole in the cover big enough to clear. Both are reproduced and we have them.
5. Seal. There was a sponge seal between the header and windshield, not specifically reproduced so find a weatherstrip that looks to fit.
Karl Wescott