46 woodie Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Now that LeBaron-Bonney has closed can anyone recommend a supplier for Ford, "Cobra Grain" roof material in 66" width for a 46-48 Ford Station Wagon? I'm waiting for a reply from Cartouche, but have been informed they don't offer Station Wagon kits at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Try the "T" and "A" suppliers. Langs, Snyders see what the have and Hartz. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan315 Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Cobra Grain vinyl is used in many cars... so getting a hold of the fabric should be pretty easy, as long as you can make your own pattern/ pieces. finding someone that can make exactly what you need, is another story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41 Su8 Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Mac's has both long grain and short grain cobra. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 There are several places I can get it in 60" width, however '41-'48 Ford Station Wagons need 66" wide. The material available from Mac's and other T and A suppliers is 60" wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan315 Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 Ecklers Long Grain Cobra Topping Vinyl - 66" Wide $8.95 foot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 Thanks, BearsFan, ironically I called Ecklers yesterday and was told "someone would get back to me", but you beat them to the punch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 I'm restoring a woodie also. Does anyplace sell cobra grain in dark brown? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Wow Tom, that's a tough one. I've never seen it in brown. Once again, with LeBarron Boney gone, finding things that were once "off the shelf" is over. There were several roof materials in brown that you probably could have used, but now? I believe a gentleman that frequents this site was or is in the auto upholstery business might be able to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 I echo what 46 woodie stated, I have never seen brown top material on a woodie in all the years I have been in the hobby ( since 1963) . I have always liked woodies a lot and for over 25 years owned a 1941 Packard "120" woodie wagon I restored and put a lot of miles on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 I have no idea whether they have it or not, but as a fellow Ford wagon owner, I can appreciate your quest. I'd suggest you talk to SMS in the pacific northwest, if you haven't already. Portland, OR, I believe. Sorry no link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 You can dye it brown if it must be brown. I worked on an original early '28 blind back with brown cobra top material. Don't know if it had ever been replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Well, it looks like I'm back to square one. I just got an E-Mail from Ecklers telling me that they do not have the material in 66" widths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 You may want to shoot trimacar a PM and see if he can point you in the right direction. David has done many, many prewar and classic car interiors and tops. I think he is at Pebble Beach this week so it may take him a little while to get back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Try Classtique Model A Interiors. They recently sent us 66" wide black Cobra for a Briggs Steelback Sedan we are restoring. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 Thanks Restorer 32, In their catalog, Classtique has it in 64 and 1/2" width about an inch and a half too narrow. I'll send an E-Mail to them and see if they can provide it in the 66" width. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_Higgins Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 On 8/14/2019 at 9:23 PM, Walt G said: I echo what 46 woodie stated, I have never seen brown top material on a woodie in all the years I have been in the hobby ( since 1963) . I have always liked woodies a lot and for over 25 years owned a 1941 Packard "120" woodie wagon I restored and put a lot of miles on. From 1932 to 1940 Ford used brown top material on their station wagons. Attached is a photo showing the original top material on an unrestored '36 Ford Station Wagon next to a black card for comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 thank you for posting this , still a bit difficult to see the brown do to the haze/dust/ fading (?) but just great to document that it was indeed used. Most of the station wagons I have seen had the top material replaced over the decades even by the mid 1960s! I really appreciate your efforts to show all of us this and let us know what was there when new Walt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_Higgins Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 This was the material present on this car when found in '59 and hasn't been touched since, so it wasn't likely replaced by that point given it's condition is consistent with the rest of the car. The EV8 Judging Standards were the source for the above and go on to state that 1938 may also be green and 1941 to 1948 were black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 The material for the 1941 thru 1946 Ford Station Wagon roof, was "Brown Landau Grain, Deck Material, Ford Spec, M-2600-G, until about mid year 1946. The actual cut off date is unknown. Both brown and black was used from late '46 thru '48. HOWEVER, there is evidence on some original cars, that Black was used sporadically in the earlier years. Also, the earliest known publicity color photo of a 1946 Wagon clearly shows a black roof. If you are having your '41-'42 & early '46 car fine point judged, then I would do it in Brown, just to avoid controversy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 I posted above about brown cobra grain roof fabric. I contacted SMS and they sent me a sample of medium/dark brown long cobra grain vinyl on canvas. Exactly what I was looking for. 65 inches wide roll at $85.00 per yard. If it was 66" wide I could get away without seaming it. This is for the restoration of my 1940 Lasalle Woodie. Info in the National Woodie Club section on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Any trimmer worth his salt could get an extra inch out of a vinyl material, if it's a multilayer top material it may be a little tougher. I've heard SMS often says they have a material, but they actually are holding orders hoping enough demand is there to purchase a large lot of said material. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Hello Trimacar, The fabric backing is actually canvas. Can that be stretched also? If it has to be seamed, how is it done? By stitching? or by heat sealing? How does the seam become waterproof? Your comment about SMS's instock availability concerns me. I have heard that many times about them. Is there some way to verify if they actually have the material in stock? This material is exactly what was on the car. Thanks, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 Hello Tom, other than some member literally going their facility and measuring it, I guess we have to take their word that they have the 66" material. The seams that I have seen are sewn, not heat sealed. Trim might have the answer on how to waterproof the stitching and needle holes, as leaking would concern me also. As for stretching, I have a small piece, left over from a Model A top, about 12"x30" and tried to stretch it and it does not stretch all. Believe me Trim, I've tried by even leaving it in the sun, half the afternoon and that canvas doesn't move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Would it be possible to seam the top material the same way carpet is joined??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41 Su8 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 14 hours ago, Tom Boehm said: If it has to be seamed, how is it done? By stitching? or by heat sealing? How does the seam become waterproof? The seams are sewn. The seams are waterproof the same way a convertible top is. The thread fills the hole created by the needle. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, Tom Boehm said: Hello Trimacar, The fabric backing is actually canvas. Can that be stretched also? If it has to be seamed, how is it done? By stitching? or by heat sealing? How does the seam become waterproof? Your comment about SMS's instock availability concerns me. I have heard that many times about them. Is there some way to verify if they actually have the material in stock? This material is exactly what was on the car. Thanks, Tom Look up how to sew a "fell seam". That's the way most top seams are sewn to give an overlap that is strong and water proof. When on the sides the seam material gets folded over heading down slope to further help prevent hard driven rain leakage. The natural elasticity of the Cobra Grain top coating will close up the needle holes around the stitches. Don't use cotton thread. Most commercial thread is synthetic and "non-wicking". That keeps the top seams from leaking by thread wicking water in through the stitches. If your still concerned about leaks, Armor-All the top after it's done to further protect against stitch hole leaks by having that water repellant seep into the thread hole and help prevent any chance of capillary action. Paul Edited September 1, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Use bonded nylon thread #69, and make sure that it's UV resistant. This thread reminded me that I had some NOS brown topping material. I bought it for a project that didn't come through, so it would be for sale if someone wanted it. It's very wide, at least 66 inches and maybe more, where it's standing it's a little tough to get out, but if any interest I'll move things around and get it for accurate measurements. I could also cut a small sample and send if you wish to see it. Here's a picture, it's a lighter grain than some. It's also slightly lighter in color than the picture shows. It's more than enough to do a wagon, I'm guessing there are 5 or more yards there. Just thought I'd mention it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 I sent you a personal message. I am interested in buying. Tom Boehm 1940 Lasalle woodie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Restoration Specialties, which goes to Hersey has 65" long cobra grain and 80" long smooth grain........... 814 467 9842 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39 wagon Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 I'm restoring a '39 Ford wagon. Is there another layer of material between the slats and the long grain vinyl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 many install a thin pad, to give a nicer finish to the roofing material. not sure if that is correct though............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 Interesting that no one jumped on the brown grained fabric, except for one person. Ended up being 11 yards of brown grained fabric that was 70 inches wide, perfect for woodie tops. Buyer scored a bargain, and I'm happy to have found a great home for it...thanks to the AACA forum... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39 wagon Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 Thanks Mercer09. I would prefer a better look than the cobra backing so a liner will likely be my choice. But I would like to know how it rolled off the assembly line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 16 hours ago, mercer09 said: many install a thin pad, to give a nicer finish to the roofing material. not sure if that is correct though............................ DO NOT USE POLYESTER FOAM. IT WILL TURN TO POWER IN HOT SUN EXPOSURE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 I dusted off my machine and plan to put a new top on my 12 T this winter. Called Snyder's to add it to my Hershey delivery but was told they can not get top material. Anyone know who may have top material at Hershey?????? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Restoration Specialties from PA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 10 hours ago, mercer09 said: Restoration Specialties from PA I will give them a call in the morning Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 15 hours ago, Joe in Canada said: I will give them a call in the morning Thanks I called and they will have it there for me. The mail has gotten so expensive I am trying to get all I can at Hershey. Thanks mercer 09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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