MTFCA Forum

Hello all.
I have a 1922 touring with a 2 man top. I have been thinking about side curtians for my car. Top is new. I know that you can get them through Classtique upholstery, but for what price, i don't know.
I would be interested in hearing ideas and pictures of side curtians from other members cars.
I am more interested in safety over originality when it comes to seeing out, so i would opt for the largest windows i could without compromising structure.
I did run across an old post that had some nice pictures.
Some questions i have:
1. I know there are 2 difderent fasteners, lift the dot and the turn type, both in 2 different lengths for one or 2 layers.
What is the use for the different types of fasteners, and where are they used?
2. What type of sewing machine did you use to make your curtians?
3. What type of plastic did you use for the windows, and thickness?

I do have some twist type fasteners on the top now but nothing on the bows.

I do not have pictures yet. Hope to have them soon.

Looking for any ideas.
Thank you!

Austin, We've made side curtains for our 23 touring as well as our 20 roadster. We took some heavy paper and made a pattern for each side, going back behind the rear side portions of the rear top segment. We purchased some plastic/vinyl sheet from the local WalMart and cut it big. We fitted it, trimmed where needed, and rimmed the periphery with Naugahyde so it would hold a fastener. We looked at how stock curtains are attached and used the same type and locations of fasteners. We sewed in double sided zippers at the rear of the door areas so we could open from inside or outside. . There were holes in the top bows for common sense fasteners so we used those locations. I made thin brackets to loop over the lower irons on the bow at the sides. There are hooks on the windshield stanchions that we fasten the curtain fronts on with metal gromets. Teresa did the sewing for both sets. they were inexpensive, aside from time, and work well for rain and winter driving. We've used them on several tours. The vinyl allows full visibility. I'll try to find pictures.

I sewed my side curtains with a vintage Singer domestic sewing machine. I live in Batavia, IL. I have a spare Singer, that needs to be rewired, which you can have for free if you want.
It will be easier if you can find a local person with side curtains for you model that you can trace for a pattern. It will also inform you how the fasteners should work.

These are all the Fasteners I have so far on the top. The car came with them.

Lang's should have a hardware package for your side curtains. Now that I see what windshield you have, I believe I know a local person whose side curtains you could trace for a pattern. Also you could see how the fasteners attach.
I believe Lang's part number for the side curtain hardware pkg. is USC1622T.

I designed my hi-viz side curtains with two sided zippers on each side of each door. Unzip from the bottom, open the door and get in, then zip down from the top.
: ^ )
Keith

KWTownsend wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 11, 2024 12:06 pm

I designed my hi-viz side curtains with two sided zippers on each side of each door. Unzip from the bottom, open the door and get in, then zip down from the top.

1569862214461.jpg

: ^ )
Keith

This is the type of side curtain that I would like to make. Do you have any plans or detailed pictures of the snaps and the zippers and overall construction?
Much appreciated!

Driving around in an open car with the top up makes me a bit claustrophobic to begin with, side curtains must be like getting an MRI. The attached picture is a NOS set of 17-22 touring side curtains. The windows are way too small for my liking, OK for the driver curtain, but forget about seeing anything thru the passenger side or rear curtains. Those that made their own with extra large windows like Ford eventually did in 1927 is probably the way to go if you plan to use them when driving.

I went to a fabric store and they had marine grade vinyl material. It is a relatively soft material (easier to sew?? I havent sewn before.) It claims to be ok in the sun and good for marine applications. It has a white backing.
They also carry clear vynal however they didn't have a good stock.
What types of material have you used?

***I would appreciate pictures! ***

I am interested in making them with large windows, like the blue T in an above post.

The fellow who does the absolute best job of canvas tops on our Australian bodied cars makes the curtains without the clear plastic fitted. Then he fits the blank curtains to the bows. Once they are fitted and taut, he marks the windows out while the curtains are still on the car. That way the windows all line up perfectly, as he can draw his lines from front to back in one operation, and the angles down the bows are equally accurate.

Allan from down under.

I have a 1925 that I made curtains for. I used NOS curtains for patterns, and also have the Ford prints for them. I got the material from Classtique.

I bought the top kit for my Ford bodied 1915 tourer from the USA, from Carter's Cut-n-Cover if I remember correctly. I ordered the side curtains with NO fittings installed. That way, we could fit the bow fittings first and then align the curtain fittings to suit.

Ready made curtains, and any made to the factory print, may fit well, but I do not believe that all model T's were exactly the same, so some variation in fit will be inevitable. A snug fitting top and curtains is a crowning glory on a well restored car.

Allan from down under.

Austin,
I made paper patterns for my side curtains.
Fortunately, my guy was able to work with them and create what I had envisioned.
The correct material is available from Michael at Classtique. It is black on the inside.

contact me offline and Can sent you some detailed photos.

-Keith

[quote

contact me offline and Can sent you some detailed photos.

-Keith
[/quote]

Sent you an email.

Bump to top.
Any ideas are welcome, i havent done this before.