Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

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Craig E. Luton
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Ford Runabout; 1915 Ford Touring; 1936 Ford Pick-up
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Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Craig E. Luton » Thu Dec 28, 2023 5:20 pm

I am looking for dimensions for a 1913-14 ford roadster top showing how far the top bows extend above the top irons for all 3 bows and the total length, etc. I looked on the Ford website and couldn’t find anything about roadster tops. I did find the information about 1911 and 1915-17 tops. I am hoping that some of you have the information I am looking for.
Thank you, Craig

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CudaMan
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by CudaMan » Thu Dec 28, 2023 6:10 pm

See these older threads:

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1304302682
https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19007

As you can surmise from these threads, Larry Smith has spent a lot of time getting the top on his 1913 correct, you might try contacting him through the forum if the information above isn't sufficient.

And see this page from the Tulsa Model T Club. It mentions that a 1913 top should be a bit wider than the commonly available bows and top kits provide, but they made it work anyway.

https://mtfctulsa.com/Tech/roadster_top.htm
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)

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havnfun
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by havnfun » Thu Dec 28, 2023 6:48 pm

Craig, I ordered my 1913 top from Mike at Classtique, I put the top over the bows and adjusted the bows until the top fit good from side to side.
Regards,
Joe Kowalczyk - 1923 Roadster, 1913 Runabout, 1918 Speedster, 1912 Mother-in-law roadster


Topic author
Craig E. Luton
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Craig E. Luton » Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:05 pm

Thank you; There is a lot of information in the above post. What I am looking for is more in line with the attached link for a 1914 touring only for a roadster. I need the length of the top irons and how far the wood bows extend beyond the irons. Are the front irons and bows the same for both the touring and the roadster? (the bow and iron that goes over the windshield)

https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... =gs-611682


Topic author
Craig E. Luton
Posts: 183
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First Name: Craig
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Location: Clancy Montana

Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Craig E. Luton » Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:16 pm

One more thing, are the 13/14 roadster top irons and bows the same as the 1915-22 roadsters

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DanTreace
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by DanTreace » Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:36 pm

Craig E. Luton wrote:
Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:16 pm
One more thing, are the 13/14 roadster top irons and bows the same as the 1915-22 roadsters
Likely some difference in the years.

Here is info on the 1914 runabout top.


1914 Runabout
Top socket lengths: Front #1 22”, #2 24 ½”, Rear #3 26 ¼”
Wood bows are 47 ½” wide. Front #1 bow protrudes from socket about 7”, #2 about 8” , Rear #3 about 8”

545456.jpg
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Topic author
Craig E. Luton
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2019 1:40 pm
First Name: Craig
Last Name: Luton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Ford Runabout; 1915 Ford Touring; 1936 Ford Pick-up
Location: Clancy Montana

Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Craig E. Luton » Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:34 pm

Thank you for the information, that is what I was looking for. One more question; are the measurements you gave me for the distance above the sockets that the wood bow protrudes from socket measured from the inside (underside) or from the top of the wood bow? For an example: Front #1 bow protrudes from socket about 7”, #2 about 8” , Rear #3 about 8”, is this measurement for the top or bottom of the bow?

Thank you

Craig


Original Smith
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Original Smith » Sat Dec 30, 2023 10:26 am

I made a new top for my '13 roadster from an original. What I've not been clear on is did the side curve back on the 1914's like the '13s do, or could it have been done for just awhile?

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DanTreace
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by DanTreace » Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:54 pm

Craig E. Luton wrote:
Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:34 pm
Front #1 bow protrudes from socket about 7”, #2 about 8” , Rear #3 about 8”, is this measurement for the top or bottom of the bow?
Craig

Craig. Measures are to the TOP of the wood bows.

Dan
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Topic author
Craig E. Luton
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2019 1:40 pm
First Name: Craig
Last Name: Luton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Ford Runabout; 1915 Ford Touring; 1936 Ford Pick-up
Location: Clancy Montana

Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by Craig E. Luton » Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:59 pm

Don;

Thank you for the information
Craig


dllr28bl
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Re: Looking for information about 1913-14 roadster tops

Post by dllr28bl » Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:10 pm

Craig,

Below is a link from a previous forum thread with some more info on 1913 - 14 tops. Specifically, it refers to a brass strap that is made from shim stock and runs from the front to rear bow inside the pad and helps keep the top material from tearing when the top is stretched into place. When we replaced the top on my '13 touring, we put this brass strap inside the pad.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1538158157

Dan

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