Help diagram for assembly of 1915 irons & bows for 2 man top

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2015: Help diagram for assembly of 1915 irons & bows for 2 man top
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Oldland on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 04:24 am:

I have a 1915 Canadian Ford T tourer which I have been restoring, and the time has come to now add the top.

I have Irons and Bows for a 2 man top which have not yet been assembled so have the opportunity to assemble these to fit the top but before I do this is there a plan, diagram, or measurements that I need to conform to to fit a Classtique Upholstery top.

my plan at this stage is to order the top from and while this is being made and shipped I can assemble the bows and irons etc.

Regards
John Oldland
Perth, Australia


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 06:27 am:

John,

For the 1915 the metal cowl cars, the Canadian and USA bodies were very similar (you had an extra door and Ford of Canada bodies continued to use the wooden seat frames for several years longer than the USA. But you can rewood a Canadian 1915-1919 using the USA wood plans or kits with minor modifications). But all of the different body makes had slight variations. And the tops were fitted to the cars so a 1/16 inch here or a 1/8 inch there was not that critical.

The 1918-1922 touring tops can all be fitted using the diagram below. It comes from the Murray Fahnestock’s “Ford Owner” magazine that was printed back in the day. It is available in a reprinted “The Model t FordOwner” from the vendors – see Lang’s https://www.modeltford.com/item/P9.aspx The diagrams have been posted several times on the forum and are reposted below. The first one is easier to view on the forum but the second one is a higher resolution and is rotated so you can print it and it is easier to see the measurements on it:





Also from Murray Fahnestock is the illustration of the 1915-1920 touring body measurements. That is what he was also using to match up the top. So if your distances are different – you will need to make adjustments on your top.



I will try to add some additional details a little later, but those diagrams have been very helpful to several folks.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 07:30 am:

John,

Unless you are competing for a trophy, I would suggest consider having the roll up back window. It was NOT offered on the 1915 and later tops. But it was offered on the 1914 and earlier Model T tops. It allows the top to provide a nice shade for the occupants and reduces the wind drag when the top is up.


Please also see the postings at:

Good discussion about “Fitting Top Bows and Sockets” for the 1917 and earlier oval top irons and bent bows:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/49876.html?1205772092

touring top -- http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/93079.html

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/197399.html?1300250374 -- discusses the metal strip at the back of the top.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/229470.html?1313853765 good photos and discusses the “bow dill” that is used to cover the bows.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/197399.html?1300250374 additional good photos. Note the bows changed around 1918 from oval to rectangular but the dimensions on the top are generally the same. I.e. you can use the earlier bows on a 1918-1921 touring or the 1918-1921 bows on a 1915-1917 touring – they fit and function but have the wrong profile of the bows.


Good discussion of side curtains for a 1915ish at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50893/75085.html?1229509577

Top pins at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/342886.html?1361257279

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Oldland on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 02:52 am:

Thanks Hap, Much appreciated, my body points and measurements conform very closely to your "Drawing of a Touring Top" diagram

Regards JohnO


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