Hubert_25-25 Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 With all the snaps in place and the window installed, I was finally able to tack and staple the back curtain. Everything laid into place and lined up. Because of the stitched bottom of the panel, the base is stapled first, then everything is pulled up. You stretch the top middle and work to the outsides. The inner curtain and window straps are tacked first. This panel is tacked near the top of the rear bow. I used stainless staples for ease, but drove tacks at the end of the rows. Nothing like a finely tailored suit! This top covering only has 2 snaps on the rear sides. I felt that I should have added these snaps last, as they also locate where the top sits. I felt if I added them last, I could have fine tuned their location better. I find it easier to secure the front of the top first, and then tension and staple at the rear, but I was afraid of getting off the marks. so I stapled the back first and then tensioned at the front. This row of staples is near the rear of the last bow. I started the tensioning in the middle front and work outward on each side. What is left are the 2 front corners. I had to stop and look at old notes on how these corners are finished. I start by making a mark on the side of the top. It 6" back from the front of the first bow. This is where the hidem will stop. We are making the front drip edge of the top. This side fabric is pulled around the front , and slightly up, and the finished edge stops at the top seam. This is tacked in place and the upper excess fabric is trimmed. The top side of the fabric is then pulled over and stretched to hide this cut line. The upper fabric is tacked near the bottom of the wood bow. The excess top fabric is now trimmed off. Hugh 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 Looks very nice! Front corners are tricky and require thinking and planning, but pulling them tight is key to sides being taut. Coming along quite well. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 Thanks David. You are a great teacher. I finished installing the hidem last night, but I needed to paint the hidem end caps and install them this morning. There are 3 bands of hidem to put on the car. This car desparately needed a top bring it back to its old glory. Hugh 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Looks fantastic. Nice work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickTom87 Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Amazing ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Fantastic looking top. Quite a work of a craftsman. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 13 hours ago, Hubert_25-25 said: This car desparately needed a top bring it back to its old glory. Beautiful -- the owner is going to love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27donb Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 You can definitely bounce a quarter off of that top, it's so tight! Beautiful job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Looking good Hugh, great job and documentation of the process. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kikta Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Nice work Hugh ! Looks great 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieBuick Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 Hugh, Great work and thankyou for the knowledge... Norm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 13, 2023 Author Share Posted November 13, 2023 Thank you all for the kind words. I wanted to also include a link to the first top that I did because there are additional details in this document that may benefit someone as they are going thru a top replacement. I may put some other links in later as well, as a person also has to know how to fold a top (always unsnap the gypsy curtains first), and these tops really should have a boot cover to support the rear glass so that this does not bounce against the spare tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 8 hours ago, Hubert_25-25 said: ...and these tops really should have a boot cover to support the rear glass so that this does not bounce against the spare tire. Is that part of this project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 13, 2023 Author Share Posted November 13, 2023 This is a link to how to fold the top, and how to make a top boot. The owner of this Buick is not anticipating to fold the top at this time. The car needs the interior refinished and some mechanical items resolved first. This car will also need "top rests" which are available thru Myers Early Dodge and made by Vintageandclassicreproduction.com. Then there are the top rest pads and the leather straps from antiqueautotophardware.com I did also write instructions on how to make side curtains which is another nice addition to have for the car even if they are time consuming to install. Hugh 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted January 11 Author Share Posted January 11 Adding these photos to this thread because it show what a difference a new top makes to the appearance of these mighty Buicks. Took the car out for a drive and was arriving home at sunset. I really need to get started on the upholstery. The last 2 photos are of the third top that I have now completed. This is a 1910 Metz. Once you get the hang of making these tops the work starts to find you. Enjoy the photos. Hugh 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Beautiful work and great photos! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kikta Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Very nice Hugh! Keep up the great work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27donb Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Looks great! "Before and After" 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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