CharlesBuick Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 I recently bought a 25-25 Buick Tourer. It doesn’t have any canopy parts so I need help to try to find Socket Assemblies ,Hoops or people that may manufacture these parts. Any help on this would be appreciated, thanks Glenn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 Glenn: From the terms you are using I assume that you are not anywhere me in the USA. I had my socket assembly and Bows (hoops) made by a gentleman in OHIO. I did check with a concern in NZ. or Aus. They gave me an estmate of $2,300 AU. for the sockets. Of course then the cost of shipping to the USA. 3 years ago the sockets and bows cost me a bit over $550.US. I still have not gotten around to building up the proper top assembly. My car still with the too tall, cut down set from an older larger Buick. Possibly from a 1921 or 1922 model 45. One of the several weld points. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thank you for your help. Do you think Mel Draper would be the best contact to obtain a set of sockets and bows ? Unless your ones are for sale ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Charles: It has been over 3 years and I still have not gotten around to installing the bows to the new irons. Mel Draper is located in Jeromesville Ohio. I was able to pick up a very rough set of 1924 model 35 4 cylinder sockets. Still, the sizes of the individual sections did not match what Hugh Leidlein sent me as far as dimensions. Mel was able to use many of the cast parts salvaged from them. otherwise the cost would have been much more to get those pieces fabricated. Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 Larry, I am located in New Zealand. Shipping is an issue but it is ok for me if I can locate some assemblies to work with. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) Glenn, Welcome to the forum. That is a good looking Buick. In the future, please make all communications on the "Buick Pre War" website for fastest communications. I just happened to see this one. Read through the following link and it will go step by step on making a top. Start with getting bows and sockets. Work on getting or making all the hardware and installing it on the car before even thinking about doing the canvas. There are many small pieces. This takes you to October 11th. On November 12th is another link within which has more details on making the canvas top. - I have made drawings for every part of a Buick 1925-25 for the entire top assembly. I may have to email those to you for better clarity. That is, if you are going to make them or try to find them in New Zealand. - I did recently receive a 1923 model 25 top socket set, but I have not had the time to verify it's application for your car as the body style change was 1924. The box containing 2 socket assemblies measures 38x8x8 and weighs 28 pounds if you want to look into the cost of shipping them from Lake Jackson TX 77566. - You still need 4 wood bows. I have the drawings for those. - I need to document the dimensions on these top sockets before they leave me. - I do not see the top rest brackets for the corners of the rear seat so you will need to make those as well. - Also note that your windshield is different than mine so modifications will need to be made. - Below is the cleaned up version of the 1925-25 Buick top sockets. Hugh Edited November 27, 2023 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) Hugh: From Glenn's photo the windshield would pose a significant problem as the upper windshield frame is highter than the stancheons. I have given him the contact of a fabricator in Aus. The 1923-35 socket set would be sized much differently than our 1925-25. As I had found out from the 1924-35 set I used for Mel Draper to make the set I have now. I did record those sizes before they were dissembled for some of the parts to be incorporated into my new set. Edited November 30, 2023 by dibarlaw spelling (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted December 6, 2023 Share Posted December 6, 2023 This is the socket set that I have from the 1923 Buick model 35. You can compare these to the top sockets above that are correct for a 1925 model 25. Only two dimensions are the same. The 1925 model has a lower roof line than the 1923 model as that is the progression tops were going at the time. What is probably most important is the 2nd photo here showing the height of the sides of the top socket assembly when the sockets are stretched out. This one reads 22" when horizontal from the bottom of the frame above the doors to the door tops. This number is around 19" on the model 25. Hugh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted December 6, 2023 Share Posted December 6, 2023 Hugh: Very similar to the rough 1924-35 set that I used to have Mel Draper make up the 1925-25 set. Again it was just a bit shorter on the length of the rear socket. Referenced by your 1923 rear socket length of 28", the 1924-35 is 26 5/8". Pivot point for socket 3 for 1923 is 16 1/2". 1924 is 15 1/2". There are a few of the other component dimensions which are close. But the combined assembley would result in a lower overall top. Just wish at the time we could have made good contact with the fellow who was selling these. He never would return calls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpirate Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 I have a complete top assembly off of a '27 available. Is it the same, or close enough? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 One cannot tell unless the top is stretched out into its up position. Also this is the style for 1926 and newer tops. The tubular type is what is for the 1925s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted December 9, 2023 Author Share Posted December 9, 2023 Yes the tube socket type are for the 25 like in Huberts 25 build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted December 9, 2023 Author Share Posted December 9, 2023 Hugh, I will get some pricing on shipping to NZ for those 1923 Irons. They are definitely something I can work with to produce the correct sizing for the 25. Are you able to email me ? Thankyou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted December 10, 2023 Author Share Posted December 10, 2023 Hugh, I can get items shipped to Oregon then from there to NZ. Would be easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kar3516 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 3 hours ago, CharlesBuick said: Hugh, I can get items shipped to Oregon then from there to NZ. Would be easier. I saw the attached posting just now for the top bows from a McLaughlin Buick 24-45. Can you use these in your project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Glenn, My socket set is 1923 model 35. The above McLaughlin set is 1924 model 45. The 1924-45 may be a better fit for your 1925-25. I think you should try to source the 1924 top sockets first. Not sure if he is willing to remove the bows and ship just the sockets. Bows attached is a nice thing to have, but it will effect shipping costs. I also wanted to mention that I did not see the top pivot bolt in your photo. The bracket is shown in this side view of the pivot bracket near the middle of the rear tire. The top rest bracket is also shown in the back corner of the seat area. Then there is a top rest support iron. Hugh 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 I can say with some certainty that the Mclaughlin Master tops will not fit a Standard as the Standard has 4 bows and the master has 5 bows. I learned that the hard way when I was restoring mine, like just about everything from a master does not fit a standard. They are however very attractive bows with the nickel plated brass socket and other accompanying hardware. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 Hugh, I haven't had the back seat out yet so I am not sure what is under there. Definitely no Rest Bracket or iron. Will investigate soon to see if any brackets are there under the seat. Glenn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesBuick Posted Saturday at 07:28 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 07:28 AM Hugh, are you able to email the drawings for the 25-25 Top Assembly and Bows. I will need to start to make a set here. They would be a great help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted Sunday at 04:29 AM Share Posted Sunday at 04:29 AM Glenn, Sending you wood pattern drawings for the top wood bows. This link is basically what you will be doing if you take on this challenge of needing a top. This will help you understand all of the details and the parts that you will need. Hugh https://forums.aaca.org/topic/403118-no-convertible-top-no-problem-1920s-buick-missing-top-bows-and-sockets/#comment-2577976 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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