Hello! I need some tips and tricks to putting a top on my '29 A special coupe. I am about ready to start this part and could use some advise about it. I put a top insert on a '31 coupe but that is an entirely different job than a special coupe. The car is all stock as far as the wood in it goes. Should I use chicken wire as stock or a piece of Masonite in the hole on the top. I have heard both work well. That kind of padding how thick and what type of glue? I figured I would start on the top in the middle at the header and back and work both directions to the drip rail. the rear is the difficult part. Getting the material to go around the rear window opening and getting the corners to lay right is the hard part. any pictures and tips are appreciated.
there is some good info on the Ford barn if you do a search there. for example http://www.model-a-ford.com/proj_3.shtml
I used the search on the 'Barn' and didn't have much luck. So I started a thread over there about it this afternoon. Posted the same pic as above and it was taken down in less than half an hour. I understand it's a restoration site. I would have been fine if I hadn't posted the picture. Grumpy guys over there. Why not pass along knowledge and tips. This top will be no different than one for a fine point restoration. I will try again maybe and not include a picture. [emoji12] I will try and search over there again. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
You're right. I forget to google search it and include the site name. Google does a better job than the search in the site. I forget to do that. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Do you have the trim strips? Those are very hard to find in good shape. I used to have a set and sold them for good money. I might have some more parts if you are still needing something.
Yes I do. They aren't in too bad of shape. The one around the back is shown in the picture above. had to put it on to make the car look right for the Hill Climb. The nails were in bad shape and someone used wood screws every 6" or so all along the piece. same for the drip rails and the piece on the header and the seam between the top and back. Instead of trying to restore the pieces I am going to use the screw holes and put them back on like before. Some people use hideem on the header and the seam. I kind of like the original strips. A little putty and some paint make them look pretty good.
I have had two Special Coupes and used chicken wire on both of them and a 30 pickup with Masonite. I wouldn't use Masonite on a Special Coupe due to the way the top fits, I don't think the Masonite really made much difference on the pickup and will replace it with chicken wire if I ever replace the top. The rail around the base of the top is two pieces, the rail you nail and then a thin cover that snaps over it. Looks like your nails are exposed, do you have both pieces ? My avatar is a 28 Special Coupe I built in the early 90's and sold years ago and I have a 29 Special Coupe I restored in the 80's.
I am no expert but I think I would go the chicken wire route. Most of them that I have taken apart just have batting like they use on a seat and its about 1/2"think but I have no idea what it started out being.
I haven't done one, but I have put the top inset in a '32 tudor (much easier than your project). I would probably think about finding a steel top from a newer car and screw (countersink) that down instead of masonite or chicken wire, then vinyl over the top like usual. My little bro did that on his A pickup. My sedan has "at-speed ballooning", and his pickup doesn't. If you want authenticity from the underside and you are not installing a headliner, lay some chicken wire and cloth down before you place the steel insert.
I have both pieces on the trim strip around the bottom. I used some putty and then painted it. I didn't want to mess it up by trying to take it apart. I don't think the stainless screws holding it on will look too bad. I will use the same screws to attach the drip rails and the quarter window trim in the holes someone put in them. I was thinking about going with the chicken wire as well. I did a top insert on a '31 coupe so I am familiar with that job. But it is a different beast than the 28-29. Even the standards go down to the drip rails on the top. There was batting on this car when I took it apart. I will probably go with that again too. I imagine its about 1/2" thick. I also am going to use something different than the original long grain Copra material. It looks too shiny and to plastic to me. just looks cheesy IMO. I found a roll of several yards of a vinyl that was used on a touring top Gramps did years ago. I have to play with it some to see if I can get it to stretch and lay down right around the quarter and rear windows. I can post a picture of what it looks like tomorrow.
Good idea. I have been vacillating myself on the sedan. I need fill the hole and want to use that funny grainy rubber/vinyl stuff. I like the idea of a solid roof, sort of like a vinyl top. One thing we all have to think about with out As is that if we open the windshield @ 80 mph the air has to go somewhere.
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