Top for 1912 Commercial Roadster

[Jones in Aiken SC]

I am working towards getting a top on my 1912 Commercial Roadster. Classtique doesn't make a top specifically for the Commercial Roadster but they do make one for a 1912 Torpedo. Tony York modified a 1912 Torpedo top for his Commercial Roadster. Of course, his guy that did it is long retired and gone fishing. He said the top deck fit well but modifications had to be made to the rear vertical panels. He couldn't tell me what those modifications were as he was not the guy who did them. Anyone else out there have experience with putting a Torpedo top on the Commercial Roadster? Some guys tell me it is out of the question, others not sure, and I know of at least one guy who has done it. Anyone out there have any thoughts about this? Anyone else modified a 12 Torpedo top to fit a 12 Commercial Roadster? I asked Mike Francis of Classtique if it could be done, and he said he didn't know because he had never tried it. Seems like the experts at doing these custom tops are thousands of miles from where I live so that is a bit of a last resort.

Attached are pictures of Tony York's Commercial Roadster (that's Don Ellis in the background, y'all) as well as a picture of my topless 12 Commercial Roadster.

[Aussie16]

The catalogue lists 1909-12 Roadster. Why not buy that? MIL Roadster and Commercial Roadodster share the same top. 11-12 Torpedo would not be my choice.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

What catalog are you speaking of?

[Aussie16]

The Classtique Upholstery website price Catalogue. Here is the link.https://www.classtiqueupholstery.com/im ... en_Car.pdf
I thought from your Original post you were familiar with their website and products?
The 09-12 Top kit will suit your 1912 Commercial Roadster.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Classtique sells an interior kit for the 12 Roadster, but not a top except for the 1911-1912 Torpedo. I thought they made a top for the Roadster until I looked carefully at the catalogue along with talking to Mike Francis.

[Upholstery Mike]

Good afternoon, Jones,
In the last couple years, I have made 3 custom 1912 Roadster Tops, and they were all different. I made patterns from all 3. If you would like to email me your top bow dimensions, I could check to see if yours are the same as 1 of those 3. Mike@classtiqueupholstery.com

Mike Francis
Classtique Upholstery

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Mike Francis-

Thanks for that info, I never thought to ask you that. I need to finish up fitting the bows to the sockets and setting them up on the car with the best information I have. I will contact you to nail down exactly what dimensions you need.

[RGould1910]

Hey Greg. Who did your upholstery? Its really nice!

[Jones in Aiken SC]

It was done years ago in the Pacific Northwest when Ken Jones was building the car. He was a well known guy but I forget his name. Steve Tomaso probably knows who he was.

[RajoRacer]

Harold Hanson was the "go to" up in this area - I heard Keith McGowan did nice work back then also.

[KimDobbins]

I don't remember who did it, any chance it was Otis?

[RajoRacer]

I can't answer that question, Kim but I do know he did some top & side curtain work.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Harold Hanson, I seem to remember Ken mentioning that name. I know Ken made a big deal about selecting the leather hide material for the upholstery. Whoever actually did the upholstery did a first-class job, one of the best jobs I have seen in a restoration.