BeerInaBag
Junior Member
Anyone have any pics of their SC roof, naked and with skin? I bought what is supposed to be most of the wood kit, and I have no clue where any of it goes! :O
car is a 28
car is a 28
Last edited:
Sport Coupe Roof
- Thread starter BeerInaBag
- Start date
CHuDWah
Well-known member
There are illustrations here:
https://fordwood.com/sportcoupes.htm
The price list links have descriptions to go with the numbers.
Bob from Northport
Well-known member
What year car do you have???
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The Fordwood diagram gives a basic wood installation. Volume 5 of the MAFCA series on "How to Restore Your Model A" has a good run down on all the pieces. This link is to a previous question of the same nature.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283600&highlight=sport+coupe+top
The B Terry Restoration web site illustrates a Business Coupe top that is similar except for the port hole & no landau bars. I hope you have your rear bow braces, landau bar bits, and the belt rail metal molding. The molding is near impossible to find and the repro landau bars aren't made like the originals. A fellow used to fabricate the belt molding but the one I've seen didn't quite look like the original in shape.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283600&highlight=sport+coupe+top
The B Terry Restoration web site illustrates a Business Coupe top that is similar except for the port hole & no landau bars. I hope you have your rear bow braces, landau bar bits, and the belt rail metal molding. The molding is near impossible to find and the repro landau bars aren't made like the originals. A fellow used to fabricate the belt molding but the one I've seen didn't quite look like the original in shape.
dlfrisch
Senior Member
I have a ‘28 Sport Coupe. All my wood is A OK. I would like to see what is involved or how difficult it is to install a new top. Should I buy one from a Model A parts wholesaler or see what a local soft top business shop has to offer? I’m also, looking for the most reasonable (money’s savings) cost.
If you can, checkout other restored Sport Coupe tops before you commit to either installing your self or having a top shop do the work.
The top is always up. If not done correctly, it will definitely show. It is what a Sport Coupe is all about.
The correct material and padding is very important. Not every local top shop can do it right.
Good luck.
The top is always up. If not done correctly, it will definitely show. It is what a Sport Coupe is all about.
The correct material and padding is very important. Not every local top shop can do it right.
Good luck.
Jack Shaft
BANNED
The instructions with the top I purchased mention it being one of the most difficult tops to install. From precision cuts to tacking patterns to rear flap setup it does appear to be an involved installation. In some areas your tacking or stapling through multiple layers..Im doing every function of the rebuild,from engine to paint ...to the top.Its going to be interesting..
The top on a Sport Coupe is the one place I would recommend spending money to get it right.
Great paint job, nice interior, and mechanicals done completely.
The top is where the eye will go. Needs to look right.
Enjoy.
Jack Shaft
BANNED
My car is modified, I went with Harrtz stayfast fabric. The kit was right around 1000 bucks.. installation? volume 5 of the MAFCA series estimate 40 to 60 hours, but I don't think they used a kit. My bet is 24 to 30 hours, figure labor at 125 an hour, so basically its a 5k top.. phew.. I'm reasonably savvy bought an air stapler and Im going to take my time..
The last time I had a Sport Coupe top done was in the early 90’s. Don’s Auto Interiors in Cortland, New York did the work. At the time they were known for doing quality tops and interiors on antique and classic cars.
We went with tan whip cord, not from a kit. All the top wood was also recovered. Car was there for three weeks. Cost back then was over $2,000.00.
We still have this car. It’s never been outside over night, never been in the rain, and we keep it covered when not being used. Also kept in heated garage.
The look of the top is what we hear the most from people. Whether at a car show or just parked. That’s what the Sport Coupe is all about. The TOP.
Good luck.
We went with tan whip cord, not from a kit. All the top wood was also recovered. Car was there for three weeks. Cost back then was over $2,000.00.
We still have this car. It’s never been outside over night, never been in the rain, and we keep it covered when not being used. Also kept in heated garage.
The look of the top is what we hear the most from people. Whether at a car show or just parked. That’s what the Sport Coupe is all about. The TOP.
Good luck.
Jack Shaft
BANNED
I agree with the importance of the look,its critical..but thecost is a factor as well. Putting 5k in a top is out of whack with the cars value.
BeerInaBag
Junior Member
The car is definitely not getting a $5K top. It will be lucky to get a $500 top. At some point it got a barnwood roof with copper trim. Id like the added headroom the original style top affords, and the wooden roof is rotting away now.. Something 'period correct' and in the style of the car is more what I'm after. http://imgur.com/gallery/2A8H4Kl
Jack Shaft
BANNED
A friend had a tin top on his...looks like a tinsmith did it..followed the top lines perfectly. Im not restoring my car for show,I'm doing a ground up for me..so far I'm happy with the job I've done,and I'm sure I'll be happy with the top. I like your car Beer,its a survivor model a
Jack Shaft
BANNED
Jack Shaft
BANNED
rotorwrench
Well-known member
Classtique Upholstery's Sport Coupe top kit is likely the only kit available right now. It should come with all the cardboard filler materials, strapping, interior covering trim cloth, top material, trim welting, and full instructions. Classtique inticates that it comes with the basic hardware for installation but I don't know if any hardware like snaps, welt tips, or the support wires are included. Landau bar stuff is available even though the bars aren't OEM like as I mentioned before but they can be made to work OK. Back light glass & frame pieces are likely available reproduction. These kits are all at or over $1,100 less tax by current listing depending on top material choices.
The old whipcord is a thing of the past currently. Two colors of Haarz Stayfast and two colors of vinyl are all that available in their info. A person can purchase and fabricate everything that is in the kits but putting a zippered rear curtain together and a few other odds and ends would require a walking foot sewing machine and some patterns. Paper patterns could be fabricated from the frame work but a person needs to know the width of the rear flap.
The old whipcord is a thing of the past currently. Two colors of Haarz Stayfast and two colors of vinyl are all that available in their info. A person can purchase and fabricate everything that is in the kits but putting a zippered rear curtain together and a few other odds and ends would require a walking foot sewing machine and some patterns. Paper patterns could be fabricated from the frame work but a person needs to know the width of the rear flap.
Jack Shaft
BANNED
I have a classitique top,all needed hardware and soft goods along with two types of welting, snaps and tacks..harrtz stayfast black..including instructions and shipping just at a grand..Mike at Classitique does good work and is man of his word.
Thanks WHN,she's all model a,modified..A powered right now,have a diamond B and a V8 trans to go in front of the mitchell OD as we go along.Just picked up glass fenders too..figure double the power of stock,modified flathead touring rig..
Thanks WHN,she's all model a,modified..A powered right now,have a diamond B and a V8 trans to go in front of the mitchell OD as we go along.Just picked up glass fenders too..figure double the power of stock,modified flathead touring rig..
BeerInaBag
Junior Member
Dont suppose you could measure the rear hoop, that sits at the 45* angle? thats what I'm missing, and i can probably scabriacte a useable one if I had dimensions.