1923 Buick touring car top loose

[ted1922]

Is there place I car purchase rivets or bolts to replace the old hardware in my top frame ?everything is good shape but when the top is up the frame hangs down . right now I have hose clamps to keep the frame tight.

[Hubert_25-25]

Try http://restorationstuff.com

They have brass rivets but I think that will be too soft.  The  existing hole may be a little ovaled and may need to be redrilled as well.  Consider using threaded rivets as they have a round head.  Put stainless tubing around them in the wear section where they pivot.   You could also get cap nuts and you could grind off or cut off the hex portion.  Then assemble it using locktite so that it does not need to be hammered together.  You should be able to make it look like a normal rivet.  Post some pictures too please.  

   Hugh

[Larry Schramm]

Pictures of what you have is worth 1,000 words.

Edited April 7, 2019 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[dibarlaw]

Larry is right we need data! The top on my 1925-45 droops a bit in the center. I used some Velcro straps to cinch it up a bit.

 Photo of when I first saw the car.

After I bought the car. I cleaned and redressed the top that was put on in 1980.

[tblack]

Larry...Hiding a truck ???

 

per the top, they should be constructed with padded bags along the sides to give the roof form and support and usually there is fiber strapping under the upper part of the roof attached to each of the bows

[jan arnett (2)]

You might find what you need here.  http://antiqueautotophardware.com/

[dibarlaw]

Tom:

The truck was a 1927 or 28 Chevrolet long box. Very nice. I should have a few more photos but at the time it was shoved tight into a corner. The fellow I purchased the Buick from still had about 6 of his dad's cars to sell. The 28 Chevy truck, the 25 Buick, 1919 TT truck, 64 Lincoln, 56 Chevy 4 dr sedan and a few others. That was in 2016.

 

 After I bought the Buick and drove it out of the garage I could take some better photos of the truck. Original color on the firewall.

 He said that the truck was originally restored by his father in the typical "Forest Green". The Buick was painted by his dad in "Cobalt Blue". He said that her spent one summer wet sanding the dark blue his dad painted it for the finish coat.  He went off to college and in a few years when he returned he found that his father had repainted the truck in the lime green and the Buick in the lighter blue. I used to refer to as "Earl Scheib Blue".