1926 - 27 touring top install question (top straps)

[dobro1956]

After wrecking the car almost two years ago I am finally in the process of installing a new top on my 1927 touring. My question is, does the long top straps tack to the #2 and #3 bows? The instructions that came with the top says to tack the straps to the bows, but on my old top, the straps were not tacked to the bows. There have been a couple other things in the instructions that I did not agree with and did more like my old top was installed. The top straps are all installed, and I will let them set for a few days to make sure they keep a nice tension, before I set the permanent tacks in place. So, it gives me time to see what the consensus is among everyone. This is the first "one man" top I have installed. I have installed a few of the two-man styles in the past. They are a lot alike, but I really like how the "one man" irons holds everything in its place. Everything is held ridged and where it should be, unlike the two-man tops that everything must be measured, and then held in place by the top straps. Ill post a photo of my old top straps. It will show that they were not tacked. I also believe my top irons and wood bows are original to the car. The wood bows did not have tack holes where the straps passed over them. Thanks for any info ...

[Erik Johnson]

I've never done any research, but I question if one-man tops came with those straps from the factory.

By comparison, I'm installing a new two-man top on my dad's 1917 tourings from scratch, not a kit, per how it was done at the factory. My dad bought the car unrestored from the original family in 1949 and it never had the two extra straps with the original factory top. 1915 through 1922 two-man tops never had those straps from the factory. (I'm not sure if 1913-14 had those extra straps but my best guess is they did not).

Note how the pads are made in the photo below. The tension from the front through the back bow is via a piece of white cotton canvas sewn into the the black cotton covering and tacked to all bows. Depending on the top, there is double or triple-sewn leatherette top material, finished side down, tacked between the first and second bow. The kits have two pieces of loose furniture webbing tacked to the bows and inside the pad which is not how it was done at the factory.

[Humblej]

I do not know about a 26-27 touring, but my original 1924 runabout has the straps nailed to the bows.

[DanTreace]

Those two straps are to be stapled or better yet, tacked (tack head provide best fastening) to just the front and the rear bow.

If tacks are used on the 2nd and 3rd bow, the tack head will tear at the vinyl top cover. Have taken apart original '24 top, and the leading upper edges of bows 2 and 3 were fitted with felt strips to prevent wear of the top cover there. Modern fitting of top covers omit these felt strips, but then, we do things different than factory installers

Be sure those two straps are rather tight also, they provide the tension when pulling the top up and to the front bow locking brackets. So fasten the front bow to the windshield stanchions before you tack on the two strips to the front and rear bow, and then fit the side pads.

IMG_9297 (600x450) (600x450) (550x413) (500x375).jpg (110.69 KiB) Viewed 1954 times

[DanTreace]

Donnie

Here are some older install instructions, got these from the long gone "Carter's Cut and Cover Shop" that made nice T kits. Perhaps these can help with your fun Happy tacking!


click on images to enlarge or zoom in if needed.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Dan mentioned tacks versus staples. I'm a strong believer in tacks only. Here's why... When installing a top, I have found that many small adjustments are needed in order to remove wrinkles here and there, or to simply adjust the "shape" of the top. With tacks, you can pound them in 3/4 of the way and if needed, they're easy to remove. I only drive the tacks in "for keeps" when I'm satisfied with the installation. With staples, I think it would be a pain to have to pry them out to make adjustments.

[John Codman]

On my '27 Touring car the straps are not tacked, stapled, or secured to the #2 and 3 bows.

[dobro1956]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm not going to tack the straps to the # 2 and #3 bows. It worked that way for years and as Dan mentioned that they may wear a hole in the top deck., I do not feel comfortable that the tacks would not work loose and wear a hole in the top. My top kit Is a Cartouche from Lang's. Overall, the quality is very good. Since my touring is a driver/tour car, the top will be plenty good for the use it will see. I'm OK with changes to the kit that don't show, but changes that do show bother me,when the kit manufacturer is selling them as "correct". Even though the two top straps are probably not correct, they are very handy to stick "tour maps" between the straps and top deck.

[John Codman]

I'm not sure if the 2" black straps are correct, but my '27 has them and although I suspect that the top has been replaced, it would have been a long time ago. I don't see how anything would be gained by securing the straps to the two middle bows, and the directions for installation that Dan posted do not mention securing the straps to #2 and 3 bows.

[DanTreace]

Even though the two top straps are probably not correct, they are very handy to stick "tour maps" between the straps and top deck.

Donnie

They are correct! These 2 top straps function to tension the front and rear bow when the top is up, and they perform the duty of supporting the top cover from rain pooling , and are very much needed!

Service Bulletin Nov '22 showing the 'new' One-Man Top, note the loose straps as they are not tacked to the middle bows, only the front and rear.

[dobro1956]

Dan, that photo looks like the "smoking gun" that the straps are correct. I also agree that they give more support to the top deck. I also just like the looks of them in there. Mine are installed and tensioned and are not tacked to the center two bows.

[perry kete]

Donnie,

Don't forget the top will not go up into proper position unless you are wearing your white shirt, straw boater, and bow tie.