1911 top

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Topic author
Dave S
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:08 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Simmering
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1925 Coupe, 1926 Roadster Pickup
Location: Afton, TN
MTFCA Number: 11531
MTFCI Number: 10138

1911 top

Post by Dave S » Wed Dec 01, 2021 12:24 pm

Does anyone have a picture of the straps that go on top of the top bows? Mike at Classtique made me a set and I would like to see how they go before I remove the deck. Thanks.

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TWrenn
Posts: 3386
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
MTFCA Number: 30701
MTFCI Number: 24033
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: 1911 top

Post by TWrenn » Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:18 pm

By any chance did you try asking Mike? He has quite a bit of knowledge of the years, or maybe even has specs somewhere in his shop.


Art Ebeling
Posts: 408
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First Name: Art
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 14 runabout
Location: Hillsboro IL
MTFCA Number: 50718

Re: 1911 top

Post by Art Ebeling » Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:01 pm

Mike made these for me. This is my 11. Art
Attachments
image_43401.jpg
image_43402.jpg


Art Ebeling
Posts: 408
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Art
Last Name: Ebeling
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 14 runabout
Location: Hillsboro IL
MTFCA Number: 50718

Re: 1911 top

Post by Art Ebeling » Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:14 pm

Here is another picture showing the black rivet where the straps cross. Art
Attachments
View recent photos.png


Topic author
Dave S
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:08 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Simmering
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1925 Coupe, 1926 Roadster Pickup
Location: Afton, TN
MTFCA Number: 11531
MTFCI Number: 10138

Re: 1911 top

Post by Dave S » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:25 pm

Thank you Art. That was exactly what I was looking for. When I Talked with Mike at Hershey, I asked for a set for a set of straps like he had made for you.


Original Smith
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Re: 1911 top

Post by Original Smith » Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:48 am

Check with Keith Townsend in Gresham, Oregon. He's really knowledgeable on that stuff.

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KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
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First Name: Keith
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
MTFCA Number: 14778
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Board Member Since: 1999

Re: 1911 top

Post by KWTownsend » Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:08 am

Art knows his stuff. Everything looks right.
1911 top x rear curtain.JPG
1911 top x all.JPG
1911 top x 3.JPG
1911 top x 2.JPG
1911 top x 1.JPG
: ^ )

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KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
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Board Member Since: 1999

Re: 1911 top

Post by KWTownsend » Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:57 am

The important part is the bow alignment.

Here is my car:
1911 top bow alignment.JPG
Here are the dimensions I used:
1911 top bow dimension I used.jpg
These measurements are in a straight line, from the center of the pivot points to the ends

Unlike later cars, bows #2 and #3 are about the same height.
1911 top bow wood Fred.JPG
When the bows are down, #1 and #4 should match up and #2 and #3 should match up.

Here is a diagram chock full of information that you will need to print out and study:
1911 top irons.pdf
(587.45 KiB) Downloaded 53 times
All these measurements is very tedious work. When you get frustrated, take a break. Have a friend help you hold parts together as you measure.
C-Clamps, ratchet straps, and lath are your friends.

Keith


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: 1911 top

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:15 am

KWTownsend wrote:
Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:57 am
The important part is the bow alignment.

Here is my car:
1911 top bow alignment.JPG

Here are the dimensions I used:
1911 top bow dimension I used.jpg
These measurements are in a straight line, from the center of the pivot points to the ends

Unlike later cars, bows #2 and #3 are about the same height.

1911 top bow wood Fred.JPG
When the bows are down, #1 and #4 should match up and #2 and #3 should match up.

Here is a diagram chock full of information that you will need to print out and study:
1911 top irons.pdf

All these measurements is very tedious work. When you get frustrated, take a break. Have a friend help you hold parts together as you measure.
C-Clamps, ratchet straps, and lath are your friends.

Keith
All great advice!

I'll add 1 more suggestion.
- When fitting the various top components, there is the tendancy to pull each piece taught. Who wants a saggy top? However, with free standing top bows, (i.e. not rigidly attached to the windshield frame, as with later T's), the additive effect of pulling each element taught may tend to pull the top bows off location and also result in the bow pads & straps hanging loose once the topping has been installed. Whenever you add pieces for the next step in the process, stand back and look at your previous work to see if it's still in proper form. (Also, always do your work with the car parked on a flat & level surface. A body twist while installing a top will result in a skewed top when the car is moved to a flat surface.)


Topic author
Dave S
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:08 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Simmering
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1925 Coupe, 1926 Roadster Pickup
Location: Afton, TN
MTFCA Number: 11531
MTFCI Number: 10138

Re: 1911 top

Post by Dave S » Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:49 pm

I put a new top on our 1911 touring about 10 years ago. I was never happy with it as it was cut too wide in the front. Also, the top is not symmetrical. Looking at the car from the front, one side is two inches further from the windshield than the other. Mike Francis of Classtique said he would make me a new deck. He has already made all of the straps. I want a good foundation for the new deck. All of the information provided by Art, Keith, and Jerry will help tremendously. I really appreciate the assistance. I think that's what the Forum is for. Dave


Art Ebeling
Posts: 408
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Art
Last Name: Ebeling
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 14 runabout
Location: Hillsboro IL
MTFCA Number: 50718

Re: 1911 top

Post by Art Ebeling » Mon Dec 06, 2021 6:55 am

Dave, My 1911 top seems too narrow at the front. It does not come down far enough across the sides of the front bow so it appears to go uphill from the rear bow. The top was a kit that came with the car, it was not made by Mike but by a very well known man who has since passed away. Mike said he would make a custom top deck but I am not sure what to tell him to do. I think making it 3 or 4 inches wider at the front would work, and have thought about making a sheet pattern first. I have pulled it so tight over the sides of the front bow to make it look level or straight from the rear bow that it actually created a valley between the first and second bow. I spoke to another 11 owner with the same problem who described his as looking like a minidress. Has anyone else experienced this? Art
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MDFZ2575.JPEG

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