Top Iron Tragedy

[Randy in ca]

Years ago I salvaged some top parts from a 1928-29 phaeton that had been made into a truck. Some of the top parts had been used to construct a tin roof over the remaining "cab". I got them out of the rafters today and snapped a few pictures. Interestingly, one has Masonite filler and the other has wood which I'm just about positive would have been original. Hard to say for sure, but you'd think these likely came from the same vehicle as well. The lower portion is reinforced with an inner tubing which appears to be about the same thickness as the bows themselves.

 

[pooch]

That 3rd pic with wood was mine.

Hacked off with a hacksaw at mid bend.

I picked out wood a bit back inside and made a new inner and outer curve on a folder/stretcher/shrinker and welded them together and onto to the leftover stub.

Got the curve in hollow steel good, but what to tack to?

I could have slit the outside of the curve , but how or what does one use to put back inside?

Does anyone have a pic or diagram or factory text of how they folded the steel around the wood, it could not have been put in after.

 

[Roadster62]

I'd sandblast things good and clean, then look around for a bicycle fork with the same taper for an inner sleeve. Bore some holes in the original and rosette weld things together. Bob

 

[peters180a/170b]

If its like a standard roadster then see if someone sells just that one side and replace it.. Someone makes them for the auto part sellers... Call L.B. and see who makes them and then call.. Its going to be a yes or no.. then take it from there.

 

[pooch]

It was very easy to replicate the straight taper.

The inside edges are squarish, so just fold them and hammer the rest as a taper over a piece of round steel held in a vice.

 

[1928Pickuppain]

if you want to get the wood back into the curve you can cut the wood to the inside dimenstions then make a steamer seam the oak after seaming it you will be able to slide it in and it will curve with the metal thats how you get it in the curved area steam it for about an hour you will only have about a 1 1/2 minute working time.