In reassembling my dad's 24 touring (we are almost done!), I have a question about the touring top.

Right now, there are several, about a dozen or so, nickel plated or stainless screw connectors for lack of a better word that go around the outside of the car, near the top of the sheet metal in the back. The top has metal grommets that fit over the connectors and you twist the connectors to fasten the top firmly.

My question is this, are these connectors original or have they been added in the past? Also, what is the wood tack strip for around the top of the body behind the back seat? I couldn't find any pictures anywhere that shows much detail of the top.

Pictures of what is correct would be great.

Thanks for any help,

Larry

My 16 Touring has the same turn key Military type gromets for the top. so does my 18. these are original.

the wood strip is to attach the lether seat coushen to the car. and should not be seen when is done.

I'll try to take some pics Mark

Mark,

Pictures would be great! Thanks for the info.

So the wood strip right behind the seat attaches to the seat?

send me a pic of the strip and the back of the seat

mark.ounan@us.army.mil

The strip you refer to is called a tack strip. Even modern convertibles use them. It mounts to the body and then the back seat upholstery goes over the strip and is tacked to it. The top material then goes over the upholstery material and is tacked to the tack strip. I use a modern plastic tack strip on my cars and then use stapples instead of tacks.

The fittings you describe are original and they can serve three purposes. On some cars they anchor the cornor of the top, they are also what your side curtain attaches to and they are used when you put a boot over the lowered top. Have a nice Hereshey day.
Jan

Here are the pics
I hope you can see them. the wood strip is compleetly covered by the leather seat. and will not show at all

the seat is rolled over and tacked to the outside of it and then the top fasteners are screwed to the wood thruogh the seat materal.

More pics of top

I too appreciate the photos as I am trying to sort a 1919 Touring. I have similar type fasterners along the sides and two up front but the top itself is tacked in.

So my questions are if that is correct for my year.

I also noticed your touring (Big Mark) that you have top saddles. I have been told by several that in 1919 saddles were not available. Did you add yours? I would like to add some to mine, but don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on these topics.

Mark, thanks so much for the pictures, it does help. My fasteners look just like those. I don't suppose you know anyone that makes repos, I could use one or two new ones, but I may be able to repair the ones I have.

I don't have an up close picture of the back right now, but here is our car.

Larry,
You might try an automotive upholstery shop, a shop that specializes in convertible tops or a marine supply store.
I just checked and found four brass swivel fasteners from my '16 only one of which is probably correct for your car. The other three are somewhat smaller.There are also seven original brass screws. If you want them, I'll be happy to send them to you.
Bill

The same fastner is used on later model T and model A. You can get them from a Ford suppler or a marine supply house as mentioned earlier. You can also get them from renovators supply and McMaster.
Have a nice day. Jan

Go to page 3241 in the McMasters Carr catalog and you will find what you need.

http://www.mcmaster.com/