72caddy Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 One of these located at the top rear outside corner of the 1919 Touring body. I suspect they have something to do with fastening the bottom top boot straps? or have something to do with folding storing the touring top? Could someone comfirm or clarify the use?Also attaching a photo of my new top bows Took me a long time but they fold an stack with the outside rear edge right at 0 degrees. Didn't paint them because my wheels are also 'natural'. Don't have the heart to put 1000 staples in them right now. So no top in the future. Need my top saddles mounted, gas guage, front bumper....and drive it again. It has not seen the road for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Those bows do look nice. My 25 has a fitting like that in the same area so I'd like to know what it's for also. Who made the bows? Or did you refinish originals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72caddy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I had the bows steam bent and then had to do the fitting myself with wood chisels, rasps, and a power sander. I won't mention how much time I have in it...to embarassing, but I did learn alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Nothing to be embarrassed about.. They look great and there's the satisfaction of DIY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vergil Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Haven't seen one quite like that, but my '16 has a post there for attaching the saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72caddy Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) Here is a better view. I think many thought the same thing. In this photo you can see the relationship between the top rest post and this bolt/mount Edited January 12, 2012 by 72caddy (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vergil Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I see it now. Mine has the same but long ago covered with upholstery. My guess would be that it is there to hold down straps from the rear top bow. Mine has the straps but they are fastened more to the right into the wood. I would also like to know more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Redelman Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 There is a triangular shaped metal piece sewn to the two main top supports (fabric which runs from header bow to the back of the body) which are installed before the top material is installed, these straps locate the bows and also removed the stress from top material and tacking strip when the tops were raised and lowered more frequently back then than today. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72caddy Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 So these were for fastening the top 'webbing' to the rear of the car? That would allow for adjustment for squaring-up the top and getting the tension just right. It is funny that you can see the string and some of the straps that I was using to do the same thing!Like vergil my existing top webbing was just stapled directly to the rear seat back wood. Just overthought it, I guess. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Redelman Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I took a look at the old original top from my car today and found that the two straps in the back don't run to the front and are made of heavier material than the other straps which were just made of top material turned inside out. I posted some pictures of the parts and you can see that mine were repaired at some point in the past. In the pictures you can see the three straps that are connected to the rear bow.Your bows look great along with rest of your touring, I wish my car looked this good. I'll be looking for a new rear bow when I restore my top along with some other parts. Hopefully we can make the Anniversary in 2014. If I can help with any dimensions or questions just let me know._____________Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Suttle Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Those bows do look nice!I had to have a header made for my '24 roadster.I found a company here in Albuq. that makes stair bannisters.They used 18" oak strips, steam bent them and then laminatedthem together. I was skeptical at first, but it made a nice solidassembly. I noticed the Ford boys offer laminated bows for some ofthe V-8 open cars, so that took the edge off the hesitation to usea laminated header.It is in place, solid as a rock, and yes, lots of chiseling, shaping anddrilling to get it right, but I, too, learned a lot about how tops weremanufactured in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 A good friend of mine made a jig years ago to make DB top bows using 1/8" strips and laminating them. He loaned the jig out, and unfortunately it is still in possesion of the borrower, it has been said several times that the lender can pick it up any time. Both are very nice people but don't ya think it should come home on it's own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I guess I forgot to get to my point. The laminated bows work very well, just like laminated beams in a building. Quite strong and never have the tendency to want to return to it's original straight state like a steam bent bow tries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72caddy Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 When I was searching for someone to make the bows the laminated bows were intriging but at 4x the cost and not knowing if I was in over my head I went with steam bent.Regarding the jig, as long as ownership is clearly established and the owner is ok with the arrangement, then it should be fine. Sometimes you have to retrieve your stuff. It's an awkward situation but it is easier to just get it over with instead of it eating at you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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