Way back in 2005 when I first bought My Problem Child a mostly 1923 Runabout I also purchased an upholstery kit, a top kit and a top boot. Someone had recommended the Cartouche brand so that is what I bought.
The upholstery kit is finally just about finished and the top will be next. I'll post about this later as the destructions were so general that they could have been referring to any year Model T or even a 60s Mustang. Mebbee I'm exaggerating some on that last claim but it is certainly true that there were no illustrations or photos to aid understanding. I currently have only a sketchy idea of how to proceed with the new top.
The top boot kit is also a mystery. If there were any instructions I have, ahem, misplaced them. How does this boot fit on the top? What do the straps hold on to? Is there any hardware to install?
BTW, I really like the quality of the kits. They appear to be well made and the material looks good. We shall see how the work out in service! Here are some pics of the top boot:
Vintage Paul
The top boots sold by the vendors are not what I would consider authentically designed. Also, as far as I'm concerned, the murphy fasteners on the side were eliminated in the 1917 model year.
The top boot his held on by three straps that are buckled into three smaller straps that are screwed into the back of the seat riser.
Refer to this post to see an original 1917 touring top boot and reproduction 1917 top boot that my father made:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/198530.html
First photo below is the original webbing strap with buckle on my dads 1917 touring. As you can see, it is screwed in. The straps on the top boot should also be webbing, not leatherette. In the photo, the strap is not completely buckled in. It should pass through, toward the bottom.
The second photo is a strap and buckle on my unrestored '17 roadster.
The modern after market boots are held by one or more straps which fasten by a snap behind the seat cushion. You lift the cushion and snap it. There is also a tie under the boot to snug it up. Different manufacturers make them differently. Mine on all 3 cars are a little different from each other, but they all stay on the car while driving or trailering on an open trailer. In fact on the touring, I have trailered in a hard rainstorm and when I got the car in the garage I wanted to put the top up to prevent mildew, and was surprised that the top was dry!
Norm
some top boots also have the third strap, which is sewn to the bottom when fitted, slid up thru the fasteners on the tack strip and is fastened between the two outside straps ( in the middle of the seat ).This holds the bottom side of the top boot, to prevent sagging when driven or trailered.
David.
i just installed mine...3 snaps down below the seat cushion...a really good fit...prob not that original but a good piece of mind when trailering the car...fits really well and an ez installation..even for a dope like me
Thanks guys, what sort of snaps do you use to hold the straps? Were they included with the kit? Any pics of the installed snaps?
My upholstery, top & boot kits were "co-mingled" after getting caught in a rare SoCal cloud burst some time ago while working on the upholstery. I'm no sure what went where . . .
Vintage Paul