MTFCA Forum

So I found some top sockets for my 24 roadster at the Marietta swap meet yesterday. It came with 1 rear set of sockets and bow, one center set of sockets and bow and two different lengths of front sockets.

One set puts the rear bow in line with the back of the seat and one set is longer and puts the rear top bow about 4 inches behind the seat back. I say behind the seat back with the top up, using a level to check for plumb it is 4 inches or so from the level to the seat back.

WHICH ONE IS CORRECT ? Where should the rear bow be in relation to the seat back when the top is up?

Thanks.

If I recall back when I installed my Classtique top kit onto my 1924 cut-off touring, with new sockets and bows that I bought from Lang's (back when they were still available), there was some adjustability in the angle of the rear bow, it wasn't locked into a single position by the other bows. The front bow locks into the windshield posts, so it is fixed. The position of the other two bows can vary within limits and is fixed by the rear curtain tension straps.

I chose to set mine so that the top of the rear bow was about one inch behind the back of the body tub. In retrospect, I could have gone further back, maybe two inches behind instead of just one. IMO having the rear curtain vertical would make for too much of a break from the lines of the rear of the tub and the rear curtain.

Is there a curve in the rear bow about 5 inches from the end which mounts on the body? If so, that bow is for a 26-27.
Norm

If you have a copy of Bruce's book, take a look at period photos of new cars to see what angle the rear curtain was at. The section on the 1925 roadster pickup has some particularly good pics. Here are a couple of pics of Larry Smith's 1925 pickup, if anyone would have taken pains to put the rear curtain at exactly the original angle, it would be him. Well done Larry!

Thanks all.

No curve on the rear bow.

The top should extend back past the rear of the body at least 2". Yes, study factory photos.
I figured for my 27 the overhang is 3.5" to match the body lines.(with consultation from fellow forum members)
Copying a "factory" 25 roadster P/U may not be the same. Angling the top back will interfere with stake bed sockets.
27 stake sockets are not @ the front of the bed. Changed some time in 26?

Tom, not sure why you have different length front sockets... I have an original top on my 1924 runabout, show me what you have with dimensions and I can check the same on mine. I assume this is for your White Snowmobile, so If you get the top wrong you may have difficulty getting side curtains to fit right. You should have my e-mail address.

I made my top from the original. The rear portion of the top was missing. I made that from existing information. The front top socket has a slot in the curvature of the socket for nails, which the 1923 sockets do not have.