Technical Question on roof bows, Do I need them?

In reference to my 29 Model A Coupe. I 'm finished installing the metal roof insert Also ,a lot of other wood in the car I replaced with metal.My intention was to replace the original wooden bows with 3/4 inch thin wall square tubing.A shop owner I was talking to about it asked me why I was putting any roof bows in at all since I now had a metal roof insert. I said for strength and to hold the integrity of the body. Now I'm wondering if I should do it??

What's your take on this? Gene

 

Or is it simply to make it easier for the upholster ??

 

I would put them in to give the body more integrity, otherwise it may flex more. Also you will need something to attach the headliner to..................

 

If the car were mine I would install wood or metal for the sake of structural integrity.

We did this on a customers 34 Chevy that was completely devoid of wood whe we installed a metal roof. HRP

 

Sound familiar Gene?

Great talking to you the other day.

 

I can't think of one car or truck that only has the roof skin with no supports at all. I'd put them in for sure. Actually all panels have some kind of support, the panels alone can't hold the car together.

 

how are you going to attach the headliner?

 

I would think bows would keep the correct shape on the top metal although I might put some kind of deadener between the bows and the metal top.

 

The insert will whomp like a drum. The original bows were curved, I remade mine out of oak but flat to match the insert. I put a bead of construction adhesive between the insert and the bows. I put foil insulation between the bows. It is like being in a tomb. My upholsterer loved having the wood for the head liner

wuga