1952-59 Ford 54 glasstop inside cover

I know this is a long shot. Does anyone have a pattern for the cover that snaps up inside the top gl***. Maybe a source of one being produced?

 

I have the original sunscreen that came with my car new as well as the original tote bag in which it is stored under the cardboard glove box. However, I don't want to chance loaning them out to anyone for a pattern. However, I would be willing to take a picture of mine and send it to you if that would help. I do know from other members of the former '54 Ford Club that there was an upholstery guy in the Midwest who made a pattern from mine years ago and he was making high quality reproductions. I don't remember his name but maybe another former member of the Club can recall his name and help you out.

 

A picture would be nice. I'm going to contact SMS to see if they make them or sell the pattern. I bought my reproduction door panels from them about a decade ago and they were exact copies of the originals.

 

I know that some antique fabric supplier (maybe SMS) had the correct nylon fabric available in the coral color as a club member here in California bought some of it and used it with the pattern I supplied to have that Midwest upholster make him a new sunshade. I will post a picture of my original sunshade and the tote bag when I get a chance.

 

One of the problems that you are going to have in reproducing the sunshade will involve the snaps. If you look at the "male" side of the snaps on your interior garnish mouldings you will see that Ford used a mini size snap rather than the standard size snap. Years ago, these mini snaps were not available from the usual upholstery suppliers as they were obsolete. Maybe SMS has them. I think that the guy in the Midwest who was making these sunshades was able to find the mini snaps somewhere. I am doing some "detective work" and I may be able to get you the name of the upholster who was making the sunshades for the '54 Ford Club members. Good luck!

 

Thanks, but putting larger snaps into the molding would be relatively easy. The little screws heads are easily stripped, even with a brand new #1 phillips. I would just have to byp*** the one that is riveted in.

 

The upholster who was making the sunshades for '54 Ford Club members is:
Cliff's Auto Upholstery
E6130 U.S. Highway 14/61
Westby, WI 54667
Phone (608) 634-2045
Hopefully he still has the pattern that he made from my original. Alan

 

Thank you sir. Coincidently I'll be in WI for the Oshkosh air show next week.

 

Here are some pics of my original sunshade.

 

Apparently Cliff's isn't open anymore. The message doesn't say the name and no one has returned the call. SMS doesn't have a pattern, had no idea what I want. But I did have a brainstorm. I have the old gl***. I can trace around it to get a large piece of paper the correct size. Carefully press the paper where the snaps are mounted and go from there.

 

Cliff's Upholstery is still in business. Last Sunday night I called the phone number I listed which is apparently also his home number and I spoke with his wife who said he is still in business. She told me that he will be on vacation for the next week so you should call back later. ( I called about 9:30 p.m. WI time so she told me that he was sleeping.)

 

OK, good to know.

 

I finally got ahold of Cliff and went by his shop today. He doesn't have the pattern any more but gave me good instructions for making my own for a DIY project. He also had the clips for the posts above the windshield. He thought he might have some of the mini snaps but couldn't find them. I can get the larger snaps from Hobby Lobby so I'll lose a little of the authentic interior look but I doubt many would notice.