MTFCA Forum

Recently I ran across an ad for a ‘25 Roadster and it struck me that this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen the top done wrong and in the same manner. Rear iron/bow too far forward and middle iron/bow too far back.
No way to correct it without installing a new top!

Maybe it was modified for an extra tall driver?...

Yes, maybe for a tall driver but, I’m 6’5” and sit okay in the factory design top. It just looks so wrong!
Alan In Western Australia

The ones I really hate to see are the two man tops where they leave the front moveable bow in the lower folding position and then cut and fit a top onto it. Runabout or touring car doesn't matter. Nothing can make it look right except starting all over again!

Part of the problem is of course boat top fitters that aren't smart enough to realize they do not know what they are doing. Simply looking at a few proper photographs could make all the difference in the world.

There is really only one right way all the way through. And a hundred possible wrong turns. At least TRY to find a road map!

They look best when done right, and headroom is no issue. A roadster top done correctly will resist wind gusts and will keep light rain off the driver under most conditions. I was surprised to find that road dust does not get into the interior. Many modern vehicles will load the interior with dust if you drive with the windows down or with the HVAC on recirculate.

And I thought my Runabout's top looks bad. Ok, that is worse but mine sucks too. My top was installed in the 90's by an Amish buggy maker who didn't know Model T's. He installed the pads over the bow straps, not the bow curves. It looks like sheeeet.

Poorly installed tops are a sore point for me too. I saw a 1917 touring for sale on CL that had 1923-25 roadster irons front and back.
Mark, that top should be able to be redone correctly using the existing top material. No need to suffer with that top installation.

My ‘20 Touring came with nothing at all in the way of top irons, bows, or top material. Having secured these I was pleasantly surprised at the detailed instructions that came with the top kit. I haven’t installed it yet, but it seems pretty straightforward.
Additionally, it’s always good to look over the shoulder of someone with experience that can show those little tips and tricks that make a great installation!
I found these excellent videos by Classtique Upholstery on YouTube. The install is on a model t touring. Very well done!
https://m.youtube.com/@classtiqueupholstery440/videos

I keep looking at the geometry in the first photo. The top irons aren’t correct or the front irons have been lengthened. The rear bow is close to its correct location but the second bow needs to hinge forward. Doing so would push the front bow forward and past the windshield more than it currently is.

Definitely a DLR…Doesn’t Look Right.

To me the problem is the top irons. Either they are the wrong ones or they put the top material on when the top bows were in the wrong position. My 1919 Roadster would look similar if the front bow wasent moved to the correct position.

Don’t feel too bad Mark. Heres the worst::

George

having a hard time typing while convulsing with laughter!

A second look tells me that it can be put right in seconds, though.

My 26 Roadster came with earlier top irons. It also has an after market rumble seat. I think the top looks OK, but if I ever need to replace it, I will look for the proper irons.
Norm

George House wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 08, 2022 9:41 am

Don’t feel too bad Mark. Heres the worst::

George, that’s the worst one I’ve ever seen!

The car looks great. The top looks ... serviceable.

George, I agree. That top generates a good belly laugh. My 20 roadster was purchased after the prior owner ran into a too-low garage door. Friends helped him replace the top and the front irons didn't come low enough for the front lip to close the gap over the windshield. I talked to Mark at Classtique who sent me new straps and I was able to get enough stretch on a hot summer day to re-do it right.

Scott, et al,...that cut off touring in the pic I sent has had the top exactly like that for over the decade that I’ve known the owner. Hes satisfied with it...

On a 1920 touring the top install is difficult. To keep the rear bow in place and the other bows vertical you need to cut some wood. Determine where you want the rear bow and cut 2 pieces of wood that will go between the top of the rear seat and the bottom of the rear bow. Then cut pieces of wood to go between the rear bow and the next one forward that will hold the sides of the irons vertical. Then do again for the next bows so when you are finished the rear bow is where you want it and the side irons are vertical, with the front bow sticking out in front of the windshield where you want it. You can tack strong straps to hold the bows in place. Then install the rear curtain and then the actual top. If you do it right the bows will all be in the proper place when you finish and the top will look great.

I follow you Keith. Two short laths tacked to the inside of the rear bow, down to the back of the body. I use long, one piece, thin laths, front to back, tacked to the underside of the bows to hold them in place in the correct relationship with each other.

Allan from down under.

Are the back irons and bows the same for a 26-27 runabout and touring car? If the touring car irons and bows are a little bit higher than the the runabout, maybe that's the problem