Roadster top 101?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2016: Roadster top 101?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dallas landers on Friday, November 04, 2016 - 09:16 pm:

New to T,s this year. I have two 26 roadsters and I need top for RPU. The other is a car and most parts are there. Is there a diagram of all parts and what they are called? The langs catolog is not much help in the top iron and top bow thing. Are the top irons the metal framework ? The top bows are wood?
Please explain.
Thank you


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Osterman on Friday, November 04, 2016 - 09:28 pm:

Pardon me if I join in with additional roaster 101 questions while the "ions" are hot. :-) After answering the above .....

I may want to replace the turtle deck for another apparatus from time to time. The top would be in the way in the down position. Can I use fasteners along the back of the seat to allow removal of the entire top assembly? Any examples out there?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Spencer Vibert - Granby ,CT on Friday, November 04, 2016 - 09:45 pm:

to answer both your questions Dallas there is a thread somewhere here on 26-7 tops check the search function

Mark look at Tom Carnegie's Montana 500 car the top has boat snaps where it meets the seat back so he can take it right off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Friday, November 04, 2016 - 10:19 pm:

Here is an older post with photos and dimensions of the '26- '27 runabout top irons and wood bows.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/183704.html?1295291207

Top Irons are the metal parts, Top Bows are the wood parts. The wood bows on the runabout and touring cars in '26-'27 are straight wood pieces, notched down at each end to recess into the top irons. The wood is clinched with rivets at the ends of the top irons.

Also, inside the curve of the square hollow metal top irons are strips of wood layered in that act as tack strips and stiffeners for the curved part of the irons.



Tops for the runabout with turtle deck or runabout with metal pickup bed are the same. When the pickup bed is fitted, there are not top prop rods to rest the folded top on. Most pickups just kept the top up all the time.

If making a removable top, you may want to double hem the rear curtain for holding snap fasteners, normally that rear curtain is secured with tacks, and then a hidem welt strip hides the tacks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dallas landers on Saturday, November 05, 2016 - 08:52 am:

Spencer and Dan
Thank you for clearing this up . Now when I'm looking for parts I know what they are called.
Drive safe and often


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith, Lomita, California on Saturday, November 05, 2016 - 10:25 pm:

Maybe it's just me, but to me the top irons are the ones that are bolted to the inside of the body for the top. The top sockets are the parts that the wood bows, straight or bent are attached to.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, November 06, 2016 - 01:43 am:

Linguistics. Even now, but much more so a hundred years ago, it was and is regional. Often, original literature can be found to support both sides of a debate.
Regionally, top "irons" could be either the irons attached inside the body to mount the top onto, or could mean the iron (steel) part of the top bows. The top "bows" could mean either the wood part only that supports the top material itself, or the entire assembly the top material is tacked onto.
Because we deal with a hobby that crosses countless regional boundaries, as well as around the world, sometimes it is simply best that we add a word or two to clarify what we mean. Regardless, Larry S is correct on the preferred terminology. But just for clarity's sake, sometimes referring to the top irons as the "body top irons", or the sockets as the "bow sockets" just to avoid confusion is helpful. An entire top assembly is simple enough (if you don't over-think it). But what about part of a top? A single socket and bow? A couple bows and sockets? Confusing.
I don't know about Lang's, but I have seen recent catalogs from other vendors (I won't say who) that had the terminology wrong in their books or ads. It is not something I would complain about. I just mention it to point out why a few more words may be needed to make certain you are getting what you need or want when ordering or discussing it. Catalogs, with pictures, and part numbers can also help. If the complete information is available.
Real communication is all about clarity. If you do not know what the person you are talking to thinks a "socket", or an "iron" is? You need to be clear about it.
When I got into this hobby, a long time ago, it took me awhile to figure all that out. I asked questions, and got different answers in different places. I talked to a lot of people that were CONVINCED that THEY were right. And they did not all agree.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, November 06, 2016 - 09:49 am:

I disagree Warren. Ford called the irons in the body Top Irons, as they served no other purpose than to hold the top, and they were made of iron. Form the first Ford Model T saleseman's brochure:

"The price including 2 side oil lamps, tube horn and tail lamp and irons for top is $850, F.O.B., Detroit."

The car had no top bows, and since top sockets are part of the top bows, it had no top sockets either.

The top irons are indicated by the arrows. This car has a set of optional headlamps, which were not included in the basic $850 price.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Sunday, November 06, 2016 - 12:45 pm:

Was the "overall mud treatment" included in the price?


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