1941 Packard convertible header bow..

[41toyz]

I am from the Toronto area and I'm a new member to this board as well as the AACA. I am the owner of a 1941 Packard 110 convertible coupe that is pretty complete other than the front header bow for my convertible top. Can any members here help either find someone that will reproduce the header bow or set me up with a used one that is in good enough condition to use.

I would like to mention that the very kind gentleman at Oak Bows in PA has given me his pattern to use as a template but at this time he (Rich) would rather not take on the job. It is a very complex piece and I'm having a real problem finding someone to make me a copy or supply me with a used one.

Any help is greatly appreciated...

Thank You, Brian Scoles.

brian@gocamaro.com

[Restorer32]

I've made them in the past but share Rick's hesitation. The double gullwing shape of this bow, along with the fingerjointed center "point" and complex machining for the latch mechanism clearance make it very difficult to reproduce. If you have no luck finding one I might be persuaded. Last one I made was in '96 or so and I charged $450 which barely covered my labor. Adjust for inflation to get an idea of what it would cost now. Good luck! Fits '40 and '41 only I believe.

[Guest Albert]

My dad has made new bows before for other cars, as well as we did make the complete coach work for a 1928 Auburn Boat tale a nimber of years ago.. and we are about an hour east of Toronto..

[Restorer32]

If you're talking about Wallace Walmsley, he passed away several years ago. Some poor lady now has his phone number and still gets calls for Packard parts. When I spoke with her she was very perplexed because she didn't understand why she was getting these calls, nor did she really know what a "Packard" was.

[41toyz]

Albert..

What is the best way to contact you so we could discuss this some more?

Restorer32...

You've descibed the bow perfectly and I think your understanding my dilema, if you were closer to me I would certainly be trying to convince you to take this challenge on. I have a couple of questions I would like to ask you, would a phone call be OK?

Thank You, Brian.

[Guest Albert]

ok I sent you a private message I'am in Colborne just and hour east of toroonto off the 401, and have the wood working tools here..

[Guest Albert]

I sen you a PM, i'am about an hour east of toronto off the 401 in Colborne, and have the wood working tools here as well

[Restorer32]

Shop # 717-235-0688 or try my cell 717-515-8617. Is your header bow good enough to use as a pattern? Maybe 10 years ago I had a complete '41 top assembly that I sold, very complex. We have patterns for Packard top assemblies from '32 to '39 or so, most models and over the years we've scratch built maybe 50 Packard conv top assemblies (and numerous other makes) and restored many more. Tops and bows used to be our primary business. We've made quite a few roadster and touring/phaeton tops in polished stainless. Making a '37 120 top now as well as a '32 900 assembly. We bend our own bows. Glad to help if I can.

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> We've made quite a few roadster and touring/phaeton tops in polished stainless. </div></div>

Was polish stainless steel bows an option on roadsters and phaetons?

[Guest imported_Speedster]

It seems that Aluminum, maybe 6061-T6, would be the best subsitute.

Not Same as original, but much stronger and more durable than wood and lighter, easier to fabricate than in steel.

[Restorer32]

Irons on roadsters and phaetons were originally chrome plated steel. It is very difficult to disassemble an original set, have them plated and re-rivet them together without damaging the plating. Stainless is primarily chromium anyway. We make them in stainless, rivets and everything. When properly polished they are virtually indistinguishable from chromed originals and they will never rust or flake. Stainless is actually a bit softer than chrome so care still has to be taken not to scratch them but they can always be repolished. Quite a few high dollar show cars out there with stainless irons. Price is comparable to a high end plating job. As to the '41 bow, it would be close to impossible to fabricate one in metal, way too many compound curves. It's a tough piece to make no matter how good a woodworker you are.

[Guest bkazmer]

Stainless is still primarily iron - but with a fraction of chrome and other things in the alloy, with the composition determining the type (304, 316, etc)

[Restorer32]

Type 304 stainless contains 18% Chromium and 8% Nickle and is non-magnetic. Original irons are steel with nickle and chrome plating applied. Not much difference really.

[Guest Albert]

the header bow i seen on a 39 110 that a friend has was all wood except for a stiffner in the center of the "V" which was just a small steel plate with 4 screws in it..