I have some pics of a 29 coupe that I had a look at. I want to know about the body style. It has a padded top and appears to have a moulding nailed / screwed onto the outside of the rear quarter window. I believe I have seen this before but never paid much attention. Is it a "Deluxe" version? I know it's not a sport coupe. Next question then is: What is behind that moulding and under that padded top? What would happen if one wanted to remove the padding and say, chop the top? pics Thanks, Pete
if its like any other model a, theres wood behind there......alot of wood in the inner body of the model a....
It's a "Special Coupe". Behind the top material is a wood framed rear window, and the tin ends just behind the quarter windows, There's also a small curved tin piece above the window. The lower molding between the top material and the piece above the deck lid is ultra rare and hard to duplicate, which is why you see all these leatherbacks with a cheap rubber/fabric trim strip nailed on. Many barn find bodies are missing the wood structure, which leads to an expensive wood kit ($1000...) and a lot of work, which is why you see rough ones made into "coupsters". Those faux roadsters never look right because of the windshield frame and the way the upper part of the quarters look after the roof is removed. I think I'd leave it as it is. The leatherbacks are rare and it's a unique style that will stand out in a sea of steel coupes with 3" chops. I say lower it, with a 4" dropped axle, speed parts on the banger, big 'n littles, and either 16" wires or hubcaps and trim rings. Please don't cut it up....
It appears to be a 5 window coupe that someone put a padded top on.. should be just the metal top under the top..
The Special Coupe has very little metal back there. If you strip the leather off, there is no metal rear window, like the regular coupe, and if the wood is in poor shape, the whole thing gets flimsy and out of shape. Even the tin around the quarter windows is only there for looks. The real stucture around those windows is wood. I know this very well......I have one of these cars in the garage, and the wood is a big project. Take a look at this thread, especially at the first and second pictures, which shows the top with and without wood: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392165 If you try to chop it, you'd better bring along a journeyman cabinet maker, as you'll need more woodworking than welding on that one!!
This should help.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509433&highlight=the37kid&page=2http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509433&highlight=the37kid&page=2
Yes, it is a special coupe. I have one and I converted it to a metal back by bolting on the top from a standard metal back coupe. In Canada they are not rare, the rare 28/29s are the steel back cars. I think in the US the standard metal back cars are more common. The back of the car is wood with tin nailed to it....kind of like how a chevy of the same age would be built. It can be chopped, but it is more of a wood working project than body work.
thats a rare bird - i personally don't care for the look - about the only difference between a std cpe. & a dlx cpe is the dlx has a set of small chrome lights mounted on the cowling - my std has a lot of wood inside the cab
for sure its a speacial. i have one to. im putting a regular coupe roof on mine, but thats becasue there was not much left of the original car.
Pete, These cars roofs differ from sedans, so if you did find a Tudor roof it will not interchange exactly.
Thanks for the info guys. I have some thinking to do now. I would particularly like to acknowledge the insightful (as always) comment from my brother Martin. Pete
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