1928 Phaeton top question

deuce5wndw

deuce5wndw

Well-known member
Hello everyone, I just bought a really good 1928 phaeton and in putting everything together to see what's there and what's missing I tried the top and it fits terrible but I know the fabric would make a difference but it seems to have the wrong latches at the front. It's a May-June car if that makes a difference, Thanks for your help, Dale.
 

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It's more common than not that the top irons are beaten to death. Those look to be modified as a shade tree repair or they may be old reproductions. Find a photo of the originals and the difference will be evident. There should be photos on here with a search. Repros used to come up in a Google search but the last guy that made them retired a while back.

It's always better to fit them first and do the top after.
 
The hold down for the front of the top irons look like the first picture below. There are 2 carriage bolts that attach each bracket to the wood bows. The large hole in the bracket goes over the top of the stanchion. There is a thumb screw used to lock the top irons to the stanchion shown in the second picture.


BTW, your phaeton look much better than the POS 29 phaeton I bought about 14 years ago. It is mostly restored now.

Rusty Nelson
 

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deuce5wndw said:
Hello everyone, I just bought a really good 1928 phaeton and in putting everything together to see what's there and what's missing I tried the top and it fits terrible but I know the fabric would make a difference but it seems to have the wrong latches at the front. It's a May-June car if that makes a difference, Thanks for your help, Dale.
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I think the problem is that those are not '28 Ford top irons.

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525300
 

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Last edited:
Well that is disappointing! They are pretty nice but got any idea what they fit? How hard is it going to be to find a correct set? Thanks again for your help, Dale.
 
Dale, they do come up on the Barn. Are you going to Hershey? they will def be there.

when you ask what they fit, it could be any one of 100 diff types of cars.
 
They look like they were cut off due to rotted internal wood and associated corrosion that is common after many years out in the weather. Someone tried making bows fit but the structure is gone so that didn't work well. A good metal man might be able to fabricate parts but it would be a lot of work.
 
deuce5wndw said:
Well that is disappointing! They are pretty nice but got any idea what they fit? How hard is it going to be to find a correct set? Thanks again for your help, Dale.
Click to expand...


Is there another car nearby you to compare with? Take your bows to see if any parts match the originals. Possibly they started with a partial set and had no luck. That could be why they came with the car but weren't installed.

If you are going to Hershey, post now on the Barn and other car sites for anyone that will be there that has something that helps. Ask for their location so you can find them in the official Hershey meet directory. Hershey has over 300 acres, so ask for help now and be prepared to pinpoint your targets efficiently.

Bob Intini
 
I think some of the restoration supply houses sell new irons. when I bought my model T it had new irons and bows. Shop around and see what might be had.
 
It's really obvious that they are not Model a top irons, I'm not seeing where they have been cut off or modified. Someone did try a refinish on a couple of the wood bows but the very rear one or the main one is still cloth wrapped. I thought maybe the mount over the windshield might give it away as to what it fits. There is not a car to compare to close and the trip to Hershey is still up in the air! Thank you everyone for your help, Dale.
 
Could try posting some pictures on the AACA webpage in the "What is it" forum. Some very knowledgeable regulars there who love a challenge.
 
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