1931 Canadian Standard Roadster

fundytides

fundytides

Well-known member
Having problems with installing a new top on my 31 Roadster. I purchased the new top from Mike at Classtique Upholstery. All went well until I tried to fit the Main Top Deck to the car and discovered that it is about 4" too narrow. I didn't realize when I ordered the top that, according to the Model A judging standards, the Canadian built cars did not change to the newer style US top frame in early 1929 but continued with the early type top frame throughout production. I have talked to Mike and he is being very helpful but it seems that the only way to get the proper components for my top is to identify which of the 3 early types of frames were used on my 31 Canadian Standard Roadster. Mike has the Ford patterns for each of the frames but needs to know which of the 3 frames I have. The only info he has with the patterns is the Ford part numbers for each frame.
Early 28 A-42175-AR
Late 28-early 29 A-42175-BR
Late 29 A42175-DR
There are no part numbers on my frame. Does anyone know a source for the meaurements for each of these frames and/or any identifying features that would help me identify which of these frame migh be on my car so I can order the correct components to replace the ones that don't fit. Any help would be appreciated.
 

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You can find a list of the Canadian body parts in the CMAFF library. Look at the top parts for an open car in the July 15, 1932 file. The only reference to part numbers with 42175 are curtains (page 66) but nothing for the frames that you mention. It looks like anything with an AR designation is for a 40A model (28-29) Have a look and perhaps you can figure it out. I have access to all the CMAFF literature but could not find any other information on this. Sorry I can't be of more help.

https://www.cmaff.com/Library/Canadian_Body_Parts_Lists/July-15-1932-Body-Parts-BK/1932%20Body%20Parts.html
 
30Murray said:
You can find a list of the Canadian body parts in the CMAFF library. Look at the top parts for an open car in the July 15, 1932 file. The only reference to part numbers with 42175 are curtains (page 66) but nothing for the frames that you mention. It looks like anything with an AR designation is for a 40A model (28-29) Have a look and perhaps you can figure it out. I have access to all the CMAFF literature but could not find any other information on this. Sorry I can't be of more help.

https://www.cmaff.com/Library/Canadian_Body_Parts_Lists/July-15-1932-Body-Parts-BK/1932%20Body%20Parts.html
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Thanks. I did find that book at the CMAFF site. I think the part in question is AC-42179-E Top Deck Assembly. I am hoping that that part # will show up in the US Body Parts Book as well but I have my doubts. It would be great if I could find a drawing or schematic of that part with the measrements on it.
 
I have a 30 Canadian standard roadster under restoration ,and will be in NB in early Sept .Could you pm me Thanks
 
I certainly hope you can ID the top iron assembly you have but it may come down to careful measurements. The top deck is generally long from front to rear to allow for trimming but the side to side is more critical due to the outsides being finished off for proper curve and placement. The 4-inch difference would indicate 2-inches per side but the top deck has to fit over the pads and the straps & such. It has to match the curve line at the rear quarters too. The measurement at that point where it meets the curve line is the critical measurement for side to side width at the rear bow along with the width of the front at the header. To make one from scratch would about have to have the pads and rear quarters tacked in place to be able to get the measurements needed.

The standard roadsters all used similar top irons. The 30/31 deluxe was a more radical departure since it used a shorter set of irons than any of the standards. I always figured the 30/31 standard roadsters all used the same irons with the 28/29 being different due to the low belt line and slightly narrower cross body width. Ford of Canada did do a lot of things differently though but 4-inches seems like a lot of difference. The Canadian standard roadster top set up must sit up an inch or so higher than it's USA counterpart.
 
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rotorwrench said:
I certainly hope you can ID the top iron assembly you have but it may come down to careful measurements. The top deck is generally long from front to rear to allow for trimming but the side to side is more critical due to the outsides being finished off for proper curve and placement. The 4-inch difference would indicate 2-inches per side but the top deck has to fit over the pads and the straps & such. It has to match the curve line at the rear quarters too. The measurement at that point where it meets the curve line is the critical measurement for side to side width at the rear bow along with the width of the front at the header. To make one from scratch would about have to have the pads and rear quarters tacked in place to be able to get the measurements needed.

The standard roadsters all used similar top irons. The 30/31 deluxe was a more radical departure since it used a shorter set of irons than any of the standards. I always figured the 30/31 standard roadsters all used the same irons with the 28/29 being different due to the low belt line and slightly narrower cross body width. Ford of Canada did do a lot of things differently though but 4-inches seems like a lot of difference. The Canadian standard roadster top set up must sit up an inch or so higher than it's USA counterpart.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comments. I did finish the top in the spring. I ended up trimming the rear top quarters so that they met the center top panel at the appropriate location. The quarters, as they were, extended too far forward and, since the bottom edges curved to a different location where they would not meet the top panel, I trimmed the quarters back to meet the top panel at the second bow. Sounds complicated, but it worked out OK and looks appropriate. The only downside is that if I ever wanted to install side-curtains, they would probably not correspond to the rear curvature of the quarter and top panels unless I had them custom made.
 
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