Phaeton Bows

Klattu1929

Klattu1929

Senior Member
I'm finally getting serious about restoring my '29 phaeton bows and irons. My question is, were the wood bows the same length from '28 through '29, on the standard 4dr phaeton. I have my old bows, ford drawings, measurements from a couple fellows on the Barn. All three are different lengths between the irons. My front bow was missing but that one is set by the windshield stantions, my #2, #3 bows are homemade from the past, and #4 looks to be original, but who really knows. thanx.
 
the 28 and 29 should definitely interchange. the bows get progressively wider as they go from front to back. I am fortunate mine were with my car.
 
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Those buggy parts are very interesting, nice website. I have pieces of soft maple (bigleaf maple)I have been air drying all summer, measure twice cut once. I'm mocking up some scrap wood bows currently before cutting the maple. Pointers are always helpful.
 
Klattu1929 said:
I'm finally getting serious about restoring my '29 phaeton bows and irons. My question is, were the wood bows the same length from '28 through '29, on the standard 4dr phaeton. I have my old bows, ford drawings, measurements from a couple fellows on the Barn. All three are different lengths between the irons. My front bow was missing but that one is set by the windshield stantions, my #2, #3 bows are homemade from the past, and #4 looks to be original, but who really knows. thanx.
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You do as you wish, but I don't believe I would use the buggy bows. The main couple of reasons is you will ruin the Top Socket trying to install them, and you have no way to adjust the width of the Top after you install them. This should be done using a tubular Rivet. We make them out of Brake Line tubing.

The #1 wood Bow (A-37455) you want is basically a straight piece of wood however a FWIW, folks need to be aware there were two different #1 Bows used. One was a carryover from the New Improved body which the first ones carried the part number T-41032. It was renamed the A-37345 however it went through several revisions throughout the year of '28 with the last revision in December of 1928 presumably for the 1929 models.

The curved section originally used a leather-type filler (A-37475) however it was a separate piece from the Bow wood. As suggested above, we also laminate those pieces however we use steamed ¼" Ash strips. We insert them a piece at a time into the Socket. The metal Bow Shell section (A-37342) must be reinforced before you insert the laminations because the laminations will actually bend the Socket if you don't. So brace it firmly after you have verified the curvature is correct. This imperative if you want a top that is 'square' and not trapezoid shaped after the Bows have been installed. Another FWIW, when the Top Assy. is not square, it won't fold easily and will scratch the body paint when lowered into the saddles.

Since you mentioned you already have the Ford Drawings, I would fabricate your new Bows using those for reference, and restore them accurately.
 
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