I'm planning to strip and repaint these rusty top bow saddles on my roadster and install new leather. What I'm wondering about is the strap that goes from the ring up to the top. Anybody have a picture of how that's supposed to go?

Steve,

Ask Russ Firstnow. He makes the straps for the front and rear.

I am just now finishing up the top installation on a friend's '14 Wide-Track Roadster and the straps we used are from Russ. Really first-rate.

Leather is heavy and came un-punched so you can punch the holes for the buckles to fit your top.

This is how I did some in the past. The experts can chime in and say if it is correct not. Footman loops attached to bows.

Rich

Steve-
I believe for your 1915 they are woven cotton, not leather.
-Keith

Mine is either original or was done prior to 1960 as the car hasn't been touched since then...

It is done with the footman as Richard Eagle right picture shows with leather strap and black buckles that somehow still look new.

The Ford name for this part is "rear stay strap". If they are woven cotton, the length from the inside bottom of the D-ring to the center of the buckle pivot is 13-3/4". This of course is for the lower of the two straps that make up the assembly. Since no other changes were made to the top that would require a change in this part, the length is probably the same for cotton and leather both.

I forgot to mention that I believe that the D-ring changed from a round ring to the D-shape when the strap changed from leather to cotton. Steve's photo shows the D-ring, indicating that cotton was probably the original material. 1915 was the year that Ford transitioned from leather to cotton, so I can't be certain. Neither the drawing nor the Releases for the D ring exist so we have to formulate opinions based on surviving cars and parts.

This is a June 1915 car, so I'm assuming that the transition from leather to cotton would be long since done by then. If this is a two-piece strap, I'd like to see a picture of the buckle. How are the pieces attached? Brass rivets? What do the caps on the ends of the webbing look like?

I should add that my photo at left is of a kit top furnished by Carter's in 1985. I'm not sure how I decided on footman loop positioning.

Rich

Steve, I make these new from the Ford drawings. Here are some closeups:



Here is the buckle by itself:

Maybe these will help. Not sure what year or if original or replacement top. Oval sockets.

Those are original straps and hardware. The three rivet style is genuine T-era Ford. The two rivet style is either aftermarket or very late (post-T) Ford replacements.

This may not be important to some, but it is to me. This doesn't concern the woven straps though, but might. When I ordered a set of rear stay straps for my car, I requested them WITHOUT the rings. Why?, because the diameter of the rings on an original is less than the reproduction by about .030". I doubt if this is the case with Randalls new straps, but it is something to think about.

No; my modified D-rings are exactly the same as the originals. (I say "modified" because of their elongated shape, not a true D-shape.) They are made from the drawings, and several surviving sets confirm the details--or vice versa.

Just for added measure, my un-restored 15 touring is a January car with many 1914 features. The top material was replaced decades ago but the top pads, bows, bow socks and hardware are original. The rear straps are cotton webbing and the front straps are leather.