The Ford Barn

jax55 · 04-23-2015, 07:44 PM

I purchased a 31 "coupster". Someone decided to take the Sport Coupe and cut the window frames and B pillar off. All top wood except the belt rail is gone. I am in the process of making it a Sport Coupe again, but need some help/ input about what goes where.
I have the top wood kit which is pretty straight forward looking, the bolt kit is a puzzle as it was sent in a zip lock bag with no instructions. I assume they figured it would make sense if you took the old one apart.
I now see there are panels that cover the header wood along with a sun visor.
Can anyone either give me some insight into what I need to know, where things go or where I can get installation instructions for any of this?
It is my first model A and as you can see... I am a newbie in need of help.
I have B pillars coming and will weld them back in place. What else am I missing, not counting the actual top material and landau Irons.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

RonC · 04-23-2015, 09:46 PM

There's an excellent article on sport coupe tops in one of the How to Restore your Model A. You should get the article. Not sure which volume had it.
https://mafca.com/cart/index.php?productID=126

jax55 · 04-24-2015, 10:42 AM

Thanks Ron. I just got the book, and it will be very helpful. It is just a little daunting to basically start from minus scratch. The bolt kit has different length screws and bolts, some lag and some common screw head. All kinds of things, and looking at the top wood kit..I really do not see where all of it would go. Looks like a whole lot more in the bolt kit than can be used to put a top on.
Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Kevin in NJ · 04-24-2015, 11:04 AM

It is likely the repro wood is too flat. That is they copied the rear bow from old wood that was pressed down at the center and pushed out at the sides.

I learned about this problem with my Cabriolet. It is a quite pronounced difference and the cars do look better when the bows are right. I am fortunate to have had access to the prints to confirm the problem.

Anyway, it is likely worth your time to check if your bows have the correct shape. Not likely a lot of work or money to fix so it is more worth effort.

Marco Tahtaras · 04-24-2015, 11:36 AM

Did you get the parts that were cut off? If not, you are facing a serious challenge!

Click HERE to download a larger version in PDF format.

jax55 · 04-24-2015, 11:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Marco, thanks for the picture.. that will be helpful as well.
I have correct doors, B pillars to weld back on, top wood kit with install bolt kit and a new belt rail and the wood to fill the B pillars. I think I have all the brackets/ braces for the top too. So, here we go.

04-23-2015, 07:44 PM	#1
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install I purchased a 31 "coupster". Someone decided to take the Sport Coupe and cut the window frames and B pillar off. All top wood except the belt rail is gone. I am in the process of making it a Sport Coupe again, but need some help/ input about what goes where. I have the top wood kit which is pretty straight forward looking, the bolt kit is a puzzle as it was sent in a zip lock bag with no instructions. I assume they figured it would make sense if you took the old one apart. I now see there are panels that cover the header wood along with a sun visor. Can anyone either give me some insight into what I need to know, where things go or where I can get installation instructions for any of this? It is my first model A and as you can see... I am a newbie in need of help. I have B pillars coming and will weld them back in place. What else am I missing, not counting the actual top material and landau Irons. Any help is greatly appreciated.

04-23-2015, 09:46 PM	#2
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install There's an excellent article on sport coupe tops in one of the How to Restore your Model A. You should get the article. Not sure which volume had it. https://mafca.com/cart/index.php?productID=126

04-24-2015, 10:42 AM	#3
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Re: Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install Thanks Ron. I just got the book, and it will be very helpful. It is just a little daunting to basically start from minus scratch. The bolt kit has different length screws and bolts, some lag and some common screw head. All kinds of things, and looking at the top wood kit..I really do not see where all of it would go. Looks like a whole lot more in the bolt kit than can be used to put a top on. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

04-24-2015, 11:04 AM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install It is likely the repro wood is too flat. That is they copied the rear bow from old wood that was pressed down at the center and pushed out at the sides. I learned about this problem with my Cabriolet. It is a quite pronounced difference and the cars do look better when the bows are right. I am fortunate to have had access to the prints to confirm the problem. Anyway, it is likely worth your time to check if your bows have the correct shape. Not likely a lot of work or money to fix so it is more worth effort.

04-24-2015, 11:36 AM	#5
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install Did you get the parts that were cut off? If not, you are facing a serious challenge! Click HERE to download a larger version in PDF format. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

04-24-2015, 11:25 PM	#6
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Re: Need expert input for 31 Sport Coupe top install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Marco, thanks for the picture.. that will be helpful as well. I have correct doors, B pillars to weld back on, top wood kit with install bolt kit and a new belt rail and the wood to fill the B pillars. I think I have all the brackets/ braces for the top too. So, here we go.