'26-'27 Roadster Top Irons

[schwabd1]

I'm trying to piece together a set of top irons for a '26 roadster. I've got the back two irons for both sides, but need to find the front two. I can only find photos of the top side of the irons, are they identical / interchangeable? Or are their fasteners on the bottom side? If fasteners, I'm guessing they could be removed and moved to the opposite side to make them work. What should I be looking for? As a last note....... anybody out there have extra ones they want to get rid of? My grandsons want to build a roadster (with my help) and I'm trying to get all the parts before I tell them it's a go.....

[JTT3]

Those are the hard 2 to find. As long at the stanchion connectors, can’t remember real name,can be turned around I think they are interchangeable. Could be wrong

[FundyTides]

According to the Ford "Price list of Parts", there is only one "socket (No 1)" listed for the 26-27 Roadster. It is part # 41055X. Socket (No. 2) and Socket (No. 3) each have different part #'s for right and left. Maybe this helps

[fordt]

I’m doing this same thing. I’ve found some “other” top irons and fabricated a set by shortening the ones I found and welding them back together. The irons I found were longer back ones that had the hole thru the ends to mount on the side of the tub with straight ends. I shortened them to the dimension in the picture below, hoping the curve on the end will be close enuff. I welded a rod thru the original hole to make the peg that fits in the second iron slot and extend it over the windshield. I’m on the road right now but can post a picture of what I’ve cobbled together at this point when I get back.

IMG_0996.jpeg (41.09 KiB) Viewed 1888 times

[schwabd1]

Hey Rob, had a chance to get a pic yet of your top iron fabrication? I’d be interested in what you have done.

[fordt]

Still in NM enjoying some cooler weather, be back Tuesday will post a pict or two….

[fordt]

David….sent you a message…lemme know if ya got it.

[fordt]

I add this to this thread…..when I received my top wood from Snyder’s they are labeled like the picture indicates, assuming FMB means front, middle, back; they think the back bow is the long one. I’ve still found more information/verification that the front bow is the longest, so I’m taking Snyder’s labeling with a grain of salt. 15 million T’s, almost as many opinions!

[schwabd1]

It’s my understanding the middle and rear top irons have a 5 1/2” radius and the front is 4 1/2”. My guess is the front wood would be longer to compensate for this.

[schwabd1]

Just curious…. It appears in the photo you the longer piece is also thicker.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I recently removed and replaced the front bow, (just the wood), in my '25 Touring. I bought a complete set of wood bows because I was too lazy to make the one bow I really needed. (There, now you know...) Anyway, the point is, not one of the new bows I bought matched up lengthwise with any of the bows on my Touring. I just picked the one that was too long and cut it down to size. Like you said, "grain of salt."

[DanTreace]

It’s my understanding the middle and rear top irons have a 5 1/2” radius and the front is 4 1/2”. My guess is the front wood would be longer to compensate for this.

These are dimensions given from original 26-27 runabout wood bows.

’26-’27 Roadster
Front #1: approx. 36" #2: bow 35 1/4" Rear #3: 35 3/4"

Those measures are the exposed span from end of each metal iron socket, the actual wood bows are longer, as each have 2 3/8” to 2 1/2" long undercut ends that insert into each iron socket, these wood ends held with rivets through the metal irons.

[fordt]

I reckon my irons/wood are going to be held by #8 or so round head machine screws with nuts, appropriately covered. I can’t see me alone wrangling these things on top of my anvil/vise trying to peen over rivets, but we’ll see!