MTFCA Forum

Has anyone ever built a metal top on the ford top bows.. anyone have pictures? thinking of building a top that would be removable .....thanks

I do not have pictures but pretty easy to do with 22 gauge mild steel. just use the old as a pattern or make it to your liking. the key is to use a safety hem on the edges. You can use cobra vinyl when done to give it a cool look. Most I did years back even had common sense fasteners on the back so you could remove the whole top.


Hank

In the 1920's, these were known as California Tops.
I have one on my 1925 Studebaker. I have heard of them for REO roadsters as well, but have never seen one of those.
I have never seen one for a Model T, but it should be possible to make one, and I'm sure someone supplied them as an accessory during the Model T era, since virtually anything you can think of was available as an accessory. So one of them would be period correct, as well.

When I was a kid, a local builder replaced the canvas to on his English Vauxhaull roadster. There were three separate panels with the joints lapped over the next panel behind. Painted a similar colour to the canvas, it was difficult to pick from the original. There's no reason why the same could not be done to a T.
A California top is a complete lift off top made to look like the hard tops on sedans. They are rounded and fabric covered, but have side curtains which either open with the door or roll up out of sight.
Fitting panels to the original top bows will make the top look like a standard folding top, not a fixed roof sedan.

Allan from down under.