1931 Chevrolet Cabriolet Front Top Bow

[Dave39MD]

There is a 1/8 of inch gap between the front of the front top bow and the metal piece that attached to the bottom to hold the windshield weather strip. 

 

My question is what fills this gap? Was the bow covered in material and then the top attached?  Was this metal piece put on after the top material? Perhaps the wood has shrunk or the po sanded it but it is a very consistent gap.

 

The car had an Army canvas top so all remains were gone when I bought it.

 

I will attach a few photos to help explain,

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Edited September 12, 2020 by Dave39MD (see edit history)

[chistech]

Hi dave,

if I remember right, both the front edge and rear edge have nail holes for tacking to the wood. The front edge gets a windlace nailed on the front side even with the metal and then the rear gets covered with a piece of interior chip board covered with cloth. Here’s some pictures, I hope they help. 

Edited September 13, 2020 by chistech (see edit history)

[Dave39MD]

Great pictures Ted, thank you!

 

Looks like the metal is nailed right to the bow without spacers/filler or top material. If I have too much gap I may be able to take 1/8 th out of the groove moving the metal piece back in the front , then adding wood or something appropriate to the the flat back side.

 

Thanks again

 

Dave

Edited September 13, 2020 by Dave39MD (see edit history)

[chistech]

Hi dave,

my header was a recreation by Bill Cartwright at KC Wood. I believe it’s one of his most expensive pieces as it’s pretty complex in nature. As good as his was, I found some of the inletting on the ends was too deep and if you close in some pictures, you can see wedge shaped pieces of ash that I glued in to level the ends to the correct depth. I never let bill know and totally forgot about it until looking at these pics. I will give him a call and let him know his pattern is slightly off and he needs to fix it. Of course these pics are of my 32’ Olds DCR but the roof, right down to part numbers stamped, are identical to 31-32’ Chevy. 

Edited September 13, 2020 by chistech (see edit history)

[Dave39MD]

That is a nice piece he made. The more I think about moving the metal piece I realize I can't because of the  relationship to the top of the windshield. Maybe with something to fill in the gap and the multi layers of top and hidem , you wont see it.

 

Thanks

 

Dave