1911 top
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Topic author - 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
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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- Posts: 3390
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Wrenn
- * 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
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.
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- 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
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- 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
Here is another picture showing the black rivet where the straps cross. Art
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Topic author - 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
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.
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- Posts: 3284
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16310
Re: 1911 top
Check with Keith Townsend in Gresham, Oregon. He's really knowledgeable on that stuff.
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- Posts: 1122
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Keith
- Last Name: Townsend
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
- Location: Gresham, Orygun
- MTFCA Number: 14778
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16305
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: 1911 top
Art knows his stuff. Everything looks right.
: ^ )
: ^ )
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- Posts: 1122
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Keith
- Last Name: Townsend
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
- Location: Gresham, Orygun
- MTFCA Number: 14778
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16305
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: 1911 top
The important part is the bow alignment.
Here is my car: Here are the dimensions I used: 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.
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: 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
Here is my car: Here are the dimensions I used: 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.
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: 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
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- Posts: 2954
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 24868
Re: 1911 top
All great advice!KWTownsend wrote: ↑Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:57 amThe 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
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.)
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Topic author - 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
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
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- 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
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