1922 Studebaker Touring car top material

[1922bigsix]

I want to have a new top made for my 1922 Studebaker EK but am unsure what material to use. The old top is not of any help because it is not original. I would like to hear from anyone who has a car with an original top or knows what was originally used on these cars.

Thanks

Tom

[studeboy]

This doesn't help with materials but according to the parts book the tops were available in two colors Black and Khaki. I've never seen a khaki top but they are listed in the parts book.

[trimacar]

Your car probably had some form of Pantasote, either fabric by that name or some competitor. This was a woven fabric with a construction of 4 layers, with the outer layer having a water (and other liquids) resistance that was excellent for the time.

There are various replicated Pantasote fabrics available. The only issue that most people may have is that replicated Pantasote has a strong resemblance to vinyl, and that's basically what it was back then...a semi-gloss coating that sealed the top material.

Eric Haartz has been a friend to the old car hobby, and handles the specialty toppings that keep some of us trimmers hopeful. He recently did a replicated Pantasote material with a whipcord (striped) backing, and went above and beyond to supply me with enough material to do four cars. You might wish to contact him.

Great reading is this link http://www.haartz.com/en/consumer_info/glossary/glossary.asp

All that aside, I really like Stayfast material (or Haartz cloth, see the article!) for cars of the 20s and 30s, it's nice to work with, and gives a nice fabric look that doesn't crease when the top is down (the whole purpose of a convertible, right?). It might not be perfectly original for some cars, but very few people or judges object, and it can look wonderful if the padding on the bows is correct....

[studeboy]

Dridek was the brand of cloth used by Studebaker according to the parts book. According to trimacars excellent link this was made by L J Mutty co of Boston from 1915 to 1930.

[1922bigsix]

Dridek was the brand of cloth used by Studebaker according to the parts book. According to trimacars excellent link this was made by L J Mutty co of Boston from 1915 to 1930.

Thanks to all for the helpful information. Tom