Should I....or shouldn't I?

29RPU

29RPU

Senior Member
I recently purchased a 29 Phaeton, and Lord willing, the shipper will have it here soon.

I need to replace the top on the car, and the top irons are good. Question is:

Can I do this myself? and what tools do I need other than what you find in a well stocked upper and lower tool box. I have adequate mechanical ability and a good eye/hands. I, however, have never attempted a top and always just figured on letting the pros do it...now I'm thinking about trying it. Are model A's easy to do (Phaeton)? This is a driver, but I don't want to screw up an expensive new top. Opinions?

Thanks as always, Tom
 
My main concern would be whether the filler material in the main front and rear bows was in good enough shape to hold tacks. Mine was in poor condition, especially the front. I watched eBay close until a top assy came up. Its not often that you can find a usable top assy. for a 30-31 standard roadster but I did, saved a bunch of money too.
 
I can give you my opinion.I put a convertible top on a 67 model car...once.I managed to do it and it came out looking nice..but..I promised myself I would never do another one.It was my first try and all by myself with no instructions.Took way too much time and work,it would have been so much easier and faster to just have a pro do it.But I did learn how to do it.I just won't do another one.I will try most anything myself once.Yes, you can do it with minimal tools.If you do,I hope you enjoy it more than I did.Maybe an A model is easier .
 
once upon a time, I made a new top for a '29 roadster. the wood in the top bows had to be replaced; I had an old timer do that for me. before I started, I bought all the original hardware and trim that conceals the tacks on the bows. I secured a treadle sewing machine (they will sew almost anything). Yes, I would do it again, but ask a lot of questions; look one over and study it closely. Mine looked so good, I wanted to keep the top when I sold the car. but I didn't.
 
That is why there are Top & Uphoulstery Shops. :D
29RPU said:
I recently purchased a 29 Phaeton, and Lord willing, the shipper will have it here soon.

I need to replace the top on the car, and the top irons are good. Question is:

Can I do this myself? and what tools do I need other than what you find in a well stocked upper and lower tool box. I have adequate mechanical ability and a good eye/hands. I, however, have never attempted a top and always just figured on letting the pros do it...now I'm thinking about trying it. Are model A's easy to do (Phaeton)? This is a driver, but I don't want to screw up an expensive new top. Opinions?

Thanks as always, Tom
Click to expand...
 
Only you know for sure, but normally when I have to ask Should I or Shouldn't I, I have found that..... I Shouldn't.

Good luck which ever way you go. Let me know if you need photos of the top of a 1929 Phaeton... but I have no idea how fine point judges would judge it, as my Phaeton has never been to a MARC or MAFCA meet.
 
In the early 90's I had a July 28 Phaeton that only had 58,000 original miles but no top; I got the top bows with the car and installed new wood cross braces. I ordered a complete top assembly from LeBaron Bonney. A local one man upholstry shop agreed to install the top if I would assist him. By the way the rear wood around the back of the body was cracked at both seams; Paul Long was good enough to use the old wood for a pattern and made the new wood out of steam bent oak. ( Paul kept the original wood so he would have a pattern for possible future work). The local upholstry man wouldn't use tacks; he used his compressor staple gun to attach the top to the oak rear wood (said if it ever had to be removed, the staples could be removed without damaging the top material). Prior to attaching the top material at the rear, we raised the the front bow off the windshield stanchions 2-1/2", attached the rear of the top, warmed the top material and then pulled the front bow into position on the stantions. It bow-stringed the top and there were no wrinkles in the top.

Ron
 
Do your research...so you know how it should be when completed.

Roadster62 said:
That is why there are Top & Uphoulstery Shops. :D
Click to expand...

A lot of Top & Uphoulstery shops will do a good job and some may not. I would suggest you go to a shop that knows Model A's.
Even the "pros" often do not get it right. I had a new top installed on my '29 Phaeton that was to narrow across the top. The sides finish to high above the top irons. The result of that mistake is that the top of the side curtains are not properly covered. It not only looks wrong both with the curtains on or off but it allows water to enter when there is even the slightest side wind with rain. I didn't know the installation was "wrong" until I saw a top that was "right". Darn!
Honestly, next time I will order a kit and do it myself.
I'll email you some pictures, if you like, so you know what should not be done.
Good Day!
Dave in MN
 
Thanks everyone. As always, the opinions are vast, but it is great to have all this info to make a better choice (gamble) for myself. SURE, anyone who wants to send pictures of what not to do, OR, of examples of areas that are hard, that are done right, I'd be very greatful. use tredemer@gmail.com That will work. Thanks again!
 
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