29 Roadster top removal/ replace

K

Kentmac

Member
I am going to have my 29 roadster repainted and cannot figure out how to remove the top. It appears to be stapled around the back and I am concerned that if I remove all the staples, I will never get it back nice and tight. Any suggestions or information.
 
It is not a pickup, it is a roadster. I cannot see how to disconnect the rear of the top. Could it possibly be bolted down, do you know of any diagrams of the roadster tops that could be viewed?
 
The top on a 28/29 roadster originally was removable unlike a phaeton or OCPU that were not. The wood beltrail has twist clips that holds the top on at the bottom. I am posting a picture of a fine point 29 roadster that shows part of the bottom of the top with the correct clips. The front clip is to install the side curtains.

It appears that someone didn't install your top the correct way. I agree with you without some "salvage edge" left on the car it would be very difficult to reinstall the top to the beltrail.
Rusty Nelson
 

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  • Mark Maron's roadster 35.jpg
    Mark Maron's roadster 35.jpg
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The top on my '28 roadster is attached to the wood rail at the top of the seat with push type cinch fasteners. They screw into the wood, and the top has grommets that the fasteners go thru to hold it in place.
 
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Take it to an automotive upholsery shop that works on tops and see if they have a suggestion.
 
Here are pics of my roadster top. The seatback fabric comes up and over the top of the seat and apparently is stapled to a wooden block which is bolted to the body. The top is apparently atttached to the back edge of the block with staples as well with a section of trim over the staples... looks like I paint with top on or get a new top. Thanks for all the comments





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Kentmac said:
Here are pics of my roadster top. The seatback fabric comes up and over the top of the seat and apparently is stapled to a wooden block which is bolted to the body. The top is apparently atttached to the back edge of the block with staples as well with a section of trim over the staples... looks like I paint with top on or get a new top. Thanks for all the comments





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The seat fabric attaches too the wood strip, which is correct. The top uses
snaps, like Rusty shows in his photo..#4..
 
wrndln said:
The top on a 28/29 roadster originally was removable unlike a phaeton or OCPU that were not. The wood beltrail has twist clips that holds the top on at the bottom. I am posting a picture of a fine point 29 roadster that shows part of the bottom of the top with the correct clips. The front clip is to install the side curtains.

It appears that someone didn't install your top the correct way. I agree with you without some "salvage edge" left on the car it would be very difficult to reinstall the top to the beltrail.
Rusty Nelson
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A bit off-topic but can the OCPU top be folded down like a roadster or phaeton? Somewhere, I got the idea it cannot but I'm not sure.
 
An OCPU top cannot be folded down. There are some people that have modified or made top irons that will fold down. I don't know how well they work - probably not real well.
Rusty Nelson
 
Kentmac said:
Sorry about that, looks like they are all upside down
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Yup, hidem is not used there at back of roof to body.

Check inside hidem , is it nailed or stapled?

If the roof materail is still pliable, you should be able to carefully pull out fasteners and get back in same place.

The roof is only tight when it is connected to windscreen posts.

When it is off posts, it is loose at back and will be easy to fit back on.

It will be a nightmare for the painter with the roof still there.
 
Kentmac, welcome to the Ford Barn!

OP States: "looks like I paint with top on or get a new top."

I'm with pooch. If you're dropping the coin for a new paint job, you (or your painter) won't be happy with the job if the top is left in place.

In for a penny, in for a pound
 
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