MTFCA Forum

I'm putting a top on a 1916. It had the original top on it. When I removed the original there was no evidence of a front windshield flap. When I installed tops on other two man types I used the 23-25. type flap because they were just drivers and that type is better. Questions are: Did they all have front flaps?
What does it tack to? Looking at the "Rip Van Winkle " 1917 photos I do not see a front flap.

When I restored my 21 Touring back in 1970, it had no top for reference. So I ordered a top from Carter's Cut & Cover. The kit had a flap already sewn on to the wind flap that goes to the under side of the front bow. The new kit from Classtique did not. Since i rarely drive in the rain for long distances and not wanting any delays, I installed without. I did take a picture of the old flap. I have not done any research to find out what was originally provided from the factory.

Early cars did not have the wind flap. I think the flap was added around 1920.

So, if you have the flap, where does it go? Inside or outside?

My 16 touring top has a flap with a flat metal weight in the bottom.

I've never used the top. Can someone point me to a video on how to properly raise and lower the top?

Thank you,

Jeff

The flap goes on the front of the top right above the front of the windshield. It should touch the glass when pulled tight. On the later ones there is a double flap one of which goes above the glass frame and the other in front of it.
Norm

From the factory, 1916 touring and roadster tops did not have the flap or windbreaker as some like to call it.

As was posted above, the flap came later - around 1920 according to Bruce McCalley.

In my opinion, a flap on a two-man top detracts from the looks of the car.

Thanks. That is what I wanted to know.

I put a flap on my '13, but unlike most everyone I put it on the top of the front bow, with the flap hanging down over the top of the windshield like a late T does.

Original said he put the flap on the top side of the bow and let it hand down like the later T's do. Could you explain or show a picture? The top should hang out about 3 inches in front of the windshield. Is your flap in front or in back of the bow?
Norm

I fitted a Carter's 'cut and cover' top kit on my 1915 tourer. The windbreaker supplied was fitted in the same way as the top cover, but underneath the bow. When the top cover is fitted it is tacked to the front of the bow and gathered on the side at the corners. The windbreaker is fitted in the same way. It was tacked to the sides and then to the front of the bow, so it lays back under the bow, just as the top cover lays back over the top of the bow. When the binding is fixed across the front of the bow, the tacks are covered.

In use, the top of the windscreen forces the back edge of the windbreaker down in front of the screen. The windscreen top is then covered by the windbreaker. It is not necessary for the windbreaker to be engaged by the windscreen. If it is left flat under the top, the usual gap is preserved and allows the original look to be maintained and air flow to carry into the car.

Hope this helps,
AllAn fro down under.

I have a flap on my 1917 Touring. I bunged up my back a week ago or I'd go out and take a picture for you. Mine attaches to the underside of the bow and there is another piece that hangs at a right angle over the front of the windshield. I added a twist-lok fastener to the top center of the windshield frame to hold the flap down as above 33 mph it starts to lift and lets wind and rain thru.

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My 15 touring had a wind-flap when I bought it. It was very helpful when we drove through a mile long swarm of bees on the Bakersfield Tour. I ordered a new original style top when the old one became too tattered. Classique sent it to Ernie Romez Upholstery in Chula Vista without a wind-flap. I was a bit disappointed about this when I went to pick up the car. But now, because of the comments above, I know why the flap was left off of this "original style" 1915 top kit. The lesson here is, if you want a wind-flap you need to ask specifically for one.

When I had the top installed on my 15 roadster I chose to have the a wind flap installed. In determining how the flap should be installed I found the following two photos helpful. I chose example 1, but example 2 shows an alternative flap.

Example 1:
Example 2:
It would be easy enough to add example 2 to a top that has already been installed.

Wayne, your example no ! is the way I was describing. It tends to stay in place better when in use, while allowing it to be left above the windscreen if that is what the driver wants. The only extra work involved in adding it to an existing top is the removal and replacement of the binding/finishing strip across the front of the bow.

AllAn from down under.