1932 Cabriolet Window Frames

[Lincolnville]

I’m in the process of rebuilding the window frames for my ’32 Cabriolet and I need to rebuild the portion of the frame that holds the glass. Does anyone else need the channel for the frame? I have located a metal man that will build the dies and then manufacture the channel. Just seeking to defray some of the cost.

 

[Ray in La Mesa]

Don't know if the '30-'31 A cabriolet window frames are the same cross section but might be advantageous to check & widen your market. I know the bottom is different.

 

[DavidG]

Which version of the '32 cabriolet frame are you considering having made? Presumably it is not the initial version made of aluminum, but rather either the second or third version. The photo below is that of the second version. It is unique in that the inner and outer portions snap together without any additional fasteners. It also has a distinctive lip on the inside of the outer portion. Or is it the third version which is the same in cross section as the frames on convertible sedans, phaetons, roadsters, and sport coupes with a slight convex outer portion and a stamped U-shaped inner portion attached to the outer portion with machine screws?

 

[petehoovie]

Which version of the '32 cabriolet frame are you considering having made? Presumably it is not the initial version made of aluminum, but rather either the second or third version. The photo below is that of the second version. It is unique in that the inner and outer portions snap together without any additional fasteners. It also has a distinctive lip on the inside of the outer portion. Or is it the third version which is the same in cross section as the frames on convertible sedans, phaetons, roadsters, and sport coupes with a slight convex outer portion and a stamped U-shaped inner portion attached to the outer portion with machine screws?

 

[Lincolnville]

David,
I'm rebuilding the side windows. Basically, I will have the portion that holds the glass cut off and rebuilt out of steel (blue tape). The cost of the die to form the channel, bend it to the proper shape and to weld the new frame is $2,500. As part of the process, they will have to make the die to form the channel.

Once the die has been made, I'm thinking that I would have him run a few extra feet of the area in blue. However, it would NOT be bent the shape of the window frame. The rollers can be purchased from some other vender.

I already have two rear frames made of aluminum - one is in great shape the other one is in need of repair and additional parts.

Matt

 

[DavidG]

Sorry to have misread your opening post.

 

[petehoovie]

David,
I'm rebuilding the side windows. Basically, I will have the portion that holds the glass cut off and rebuilt out of steel (blue tape). The cost of the die to form the channel, bend it to the proper shape and to weld the new frame is $2,500. As part of the process, they will have to make the die to form the channel.

Once the die has been made, I'm thinking that I would have him run a few extra feet of the area in blue. However, it would NOT be bent the shape of the window frame. The rollers can be purchased from some other vender.

I already have two rear frames made of aluminum - one is in great shape the other one is in need of repair and additional parts.

Matt

 

[Krylon32]

I'm no metal man but there are a lot of very talented people out there in our old car world. I would think what you need done could be done more economically by a good fabricator? I'm a guy that over the last 50+ years has had quite a few parts designed and built that I thought would sell good. I have a supply of several items I will not bore you with.

 

[my4dv8]

Have you considered stainless steel as a fabricated frame . It would save chrome. Unless you can fluke it and find a supplier of a direct match channel. I asked my stainless fabricator buddy about making a set of top frames from above the glass track like you show. He felt as the metal was thin it would move around too much when welded. Your method , while expensive ,may workout better,though the curve maybe a challenge.
Thanks for your help getting our window frames heading in the right direction, with your excellent pictures. I have cleaned up one frame so far . Some long gone owner decided to remove the original chrome with a grinder. Aargh what a mess . 8 hours later on one frame it’s all polished bare metal now looks like chrome.

 

[Lincolnville]

mydv8,

Only too happy to help. Glad to hear that you have made progress. Let me know if you need additional pictures.

In my initial inquiry to locate someone that could fix the frames/ manufacture the channel, I took it to a local machine shop and he recommended dipping the frames in copper to "get rid of the pitting" and then re-chroming the frame. However, this still does not solve the basic problem of the metal being too weak to hold the glass.

I then took the frame to a very high-end restoration shop that can make any part you want. The metal fabricator indicated to me that he would make the channel using dies and then cut out the sides around the curve, bend the metal to shape and then weld in the curve. The welding jobs that I was able to examine were out of this world.

More than likely, I will write to the Ford Museum to obtain a copy of the drawings and specs so that the channel will be an exact replica.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

From what I can tell, you're definitely headed down the right path - a bit expensive, but what else is a guy to do? Luckily my 32 Cab has frames that are in good overall shape (they're in the car).

I think your idea of running extra material for "future use" is a good one. Once he is setup to form the channel, might as well make extra lengths of it.

Best of luck!

 

[Lincolnville]

Karl,
It was great to speak with you on the phone today. I’m posting some additional pictures of the side window. Once I receive the drawings I’ll send you a copy.

The seal is made of mixture of rubber that is reinforced with cloth. It is 5/8” height x 5/16” thick with a lip on both sides.
The channel is 5/8” and the horizontal member is 1”
Next week I’ll post additional pictures of the full assembly with the guides that go in the door.

Matt

 

[Lincolnville]

Additional pics. Hopefully the pictures show that once the seal is seated in the channel there is only room for the glass and nothing else. I can always post additional closeup pictures.

 

[TerryOH]

The 35-39 Window frames are very much like the 34 with a size difference. I believe their frames were steel plated bright nickle. Several people have tried to buff the nickle and usually burn through it. Bob Drake did supply the rollers. There is an ad in this web site, For Sale section, offering the corner trim.

 

[Oldbluoval]

Two things
The 33-34 frames were clad with a thin overlay of stainless over mild steel. Very difficult to restore properly
I am capable of making the straight channel as I make Model A cabby windows. 24” runs are available in mild steel or stainless. It is very close to the original extruded

I cannot make the curved section as shown on the 32 pics (as well as 33-34)

 

[RB]

I often wondered if the 49-54 Chevy/GMC truck & possibly others with the door glass surrounds might in fact be of similar dimensions to the cabriolet or less commonly available 50's 60's hardtop/convertible door glass surrounds.

 

[BoxCar Tom]

There is currently a set of those frames listed on the HAMB

1932 FORD CABRIOLET DOOR GLASS FRAME
1932 Ford window glass door frame with rollers intact
easy rechromed
$275.00

 

[Lincolnville]

FYI... it appears that two different types of weatherstripping were used in the side windows. In the first picture the weatherstripping on top was used in the horizontal channel and is made of cloth and rubber. The weatherstripping in the bottom of the first picture is used in the frame (blue tape) and is made of rubber. Also you can see the profiles are different.

 

[Lincolnville]

First steps in building new side window frame. The channel is a perfect match. Now need to work on adjusting the openings for the rollers.

 

[hop up]

We made a number of sets years ago along with some friends. When I had the machine shop each of us tackled bits of the windows. I may have some extra rollers and springs