Convertible top attachment

M

mike kinsch

Junior Member
I just purchased a 1931 Deluxe Roadster and I'm having trouble attaching the top to the stantions. It seems as if the canvas top has had some shrinkage. I have a 1931 Cabriolet which is starting to experience the same problem. My 29 Roadster with a vinyl top never is a problem. Do these canvas tops experience shrinkage and is there a remedy?
Thanks for any advice.
 
I can't help with the shrinkage, but was told many years ago to never store covertibles with the top down. I do know they shrink some, because some original side curtains no longer will fit my 28 Phaeton.
 
they are a tight fit sometimes. I would park it in the sun with the top up but not forced to go into the sockets then after a short while they should slip in place. I never stored mine with the top down unless it was just over night.
 
I don't think shrinkage is the problem. The canvas is not going to compress that oak header. I filed a small chamfer on the sharp vertical edge of the top bracket so I could slide the brkt in from the front or back, and not try to go straight down with it over the post. For some reason, I think the windshield wants to expand and cause this problem.
 
I have that on occasion with the phaeton. On a hot day the top is easier to clamp. The other winter the car was in the garage with the top open. I placed a bunch of heaters in the car to warm it enough to close the top. Sunlight on a warm day works great. I now won't store the car for more than a week with the top open.
 
Wet the top and put it up again in sunlight on a hot day will work best.
I leave my Cabriolet down 12 months and it still fits when I am caught in a storm.
 
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