Hi, I am hopefully near the driving stage of my '32 Ford roadster project, and the time has come to start thinking about the top. I bought an old but never installed set of stock height reproduction top Irons but I need the wood bows. Also, I have a 2" chopped windshield on the car and I need to chop the irons to match. I want the top to look right, and still be foldable. does anyone know a decent place to get a good deal on the wood bows, And, does anyone know of a diagram or instructions, or a how-to photo on how to chop irons the right way to look good and still fold?
I got my chopped irons and wood bows from Superior Products, the company that bought Gertz. I have chopped several sets of stock irons over the years and they all folded. Just takes a little time studying to get the look. I cut a little then clamp everything together and get out the cheap masking tape to check the shape.
I chopped my top myself. The rear bow was simply slid down the frame and cut off at the bottom. The angle of the rear window curtain was important to me so I set that first. I don't like the vertical rear curtain on a 32. The only cutting and welding was done on the horizontal piece coming from the front wooden header. When the rear bow is leaned forward, the horizontal piece needs to be shortened. It folds.
Check with LeBaron Bonney. They sell a complete top chopped 2", so they might sell individual pieces.
Cool thanks for the replys, Tommy that top looks perfect! any ideas on where to get a good deal on decent wood? was the front horizontal piece the only steel that was modified? how much is the windshield on that roadster chopped?
2" I don't know about the top bows. There may be only one company that supplies all the vendors but I don't know.
I am looking at modifying my stock height bows also and need to know what to use for rivits/shoulder bolts for the bows, any ideas and where to obtain? Mike 503-622-3639