MTFCA Forum

My 1917 Touring didn't have a top on it when I bought it, just the rotting remains of the top bows. Some of the bows may have been original but others were obviously made by a previous owner.

As I prepare to install my new top bows, I have questions about the footman loops. Since I'm pretty sure the ones on the old bows were installed by a previous owner, I want to make sure I'm putting the new ones in the correct places. I've attached photos, but in a nutshell, the loops on the front bow were installed on the curve while the ones on the rear bow were on the flat. Is this correct?

Also, about how far in front of the windshield should the front bow extend?

As always, thanks!

From your photos it appears that your '17 has the early style, oval shaped top sockets, so the dimensions you are asking about should be pretty much the same as on the 1914 touring. According to the 1914 touring car top drawing, the inner edge of the wooden front bow sits 1" to 1-1/4" in front of the windshield. The center of the footman loop for the top to windshield strap is located 4-5/8" from the edge of the metal (foremost) top socket. The center of the rear footman loop is located 20-1/2" from the centerline of the rear bow. No measurements are given for the vertical positions of either footman loop but the drawing shows them centered on their respective bows top to bottom.

Hope this helps. Granted it's 1914 not 1917 but that year set the basic body style for the next half-dozen years, and the top is essentially the same 1914-1917.

Thanks RV, that is just what I was looking for. I should have clarified that my car is a September 1916 build with oval sockets.
I'll have to throw a tape measure on the existing loops and see how close they come. I'm using bows that Jonathan made and they are top quality.

I look forward to installing the straps you sold me and finally getting the top up. Wish me luck!