Sport coupe/business coupe reference needed

[Martinbuilt]

Hi.
I'm slowly assembling a business coupe from parts. Soon, i'll need to figure out the top.
I have all the brackets (i believe) but no wood.
The kits available are not currently in the budget. If any of you are working on something similar, and can post photos of what i'm missing, that would be great.
I have a pretty well-equipped shop, and might be able to make some of it.
I'm particularly interested in what goes above the doors, and the roof bows.
Thanks.

 

[rotorwrench]

Those two coupe types share almost every thing. Sports coupes have the landau bars and the 1929 business coupes have the oval windows. They use a water resistant type of cardboard to form the shape of the top sides and quarter corners. They used little thin steel strips to help form the top edge curvature to keep the shape. This is all incorporated into the top material. I hope you have the belt molding assembly. No one reproduces them.

You need volume 5 of the Restorer series of books. It has a great section covering the Sport Coupes but it works for the Business Coupes too. There is some information on here if you do a search. Searches on Google can bring up Ford Barn threads too.

 

[30Murray]

I fabricated all of the top wood for my Sport Coupe, but I had most of the old wood to use for patterns. Some of the joints aren't correct but I made it work. Its a very complex job and if you don't get all the pieces close to correct nothing will fit properly and when it comes to fitting the expensive top kit, a challenge in itself, it will be a mess. I really don't think its feasible unless you have patterns to work from. I used hard 1x maple & plywood laminated and steel reinforcing where necessary. As noted volume 5 is helpful, also Les Andrews green book. On the plus side I saved about $800 on the wood.

 

[Martinbuilt]

Thanks for the replies.
Those photos help alot. The brackets are are all in a box, so i wasn't positive about their positioning.
Mine have a steel arch to accomodate those oval windows, the rear bow will be different.
I'll start looking for those books...

 

[rotorwrench]

I'm adding this link to one of our member's web site that has a lot of photos on a Business Coupe restoration. I hope B Terry doesn't mind. It's about as good as it gets for those.
https://www.model-a-ford.com/proj_3.shtml

There are other threads on this site that provide more information and as I mentioned before, Sport Coupe information can also be helpful. Search both out and you can find it.

 

[Martinbuilt]

That's great, thanks.

 

[ModelA29]

How do we know what you are missing without a list or photos of what you have??

 

[Martinbuilt]

Fair point.
I have these brackets, and nothing between the a and b pillars.
No wood at all.

 

[rotorwrench]

When you get one that has long been exposed to the elements, a lot of stuff will be corroded out or missing due to rot. On the 29 oval window coupe, it may need the side and rear window frames. The two rear bow supports and tube nuts that secure them are reproduced. The belt molding pieces for all the soft top coupes of 28/29 vintage are rare. The model T 1-inch wide brass firewall edge molding can be made to fit. The hardware for the top can be had if you know where to look. The special tapered wood nuts for the top sides wood can be fabricated or substituted with modern type nuts that have the sharp spears to imbed in the wood. A person has to get creative if you want to trim the top DIY style. Making patterns takes time and it all has to fit or it might not turn out well. The rain gutters are available and so are the plated tips for the hidem welting. The sheet metal pieces are available for the header and the sun visor but are expensive.

A person that is good with fiberglass could mold up a top to fit but that would be a challenge and a half to do make it look right.

 

[Martinbuilt]

Thanks for all the info. I knew the oval windows were difficult to find, but there are a number of things to look for.
I think i'll start up front and work my way back. I may grab some drip rails and begin by framing the door opening. If i can get the structure solid, i can get the body shimmed and square.
I still have a few minor repairs below the decklid, and a floor pan to replace.
This gives me something to think about, though.

 

[LeonardS]

My Business Coupe will probably be for sale this Spring. Then you would have a pattern!