1930 roadster top information

[Marshall57]

Hi folks,
I recently purchased a 1930 roadster, it was going through a frame off restoration, and long story short, the fellow that I got it from didn't get it quite completed.
It is mostly back together and running now but it doesn't have a correct top.
I believe it is an early 1930 standard roadster with some of the features of the 28,29's, such as the dash panel for the oval speedometer and those little rubber holders on the back where the top would lay if down.
My questions are:
Is there a difference between the 28,29 and the 30,31 bows, or is it the difference between standard and deluxe that I am seeing?
With the stantion height difference there must be a difference in the fabric length at the rear, from the top of the last bow to the hold downs below the window, or is there?
I have been collecting pictures and visiting the few roadsters we have around here but they don't seem to have enough information to understand all the differences.
I have a large collection of books, but they seem to be lacking in the history and differences of the roadster tops.
Any direction to this information or words of wisdom would be helpful.
I am interested in everything above the body and don't worry about sending me the most basic information, what I know for sure, is just about as good as a guess.

Pertinent information is that the front window is 15½” at the furthest end and the stations are 13½” high

Thanks

[John LaVoy]

You are correct on the deluxe vs standard in bow difference. The deluxe was shorter. You might look at Lebarron Bonney they make the top kits and sell the bows for both. You may be able to see the differences there.

[Marco Tahtaras]

From your avatar picture it appears there is a top. What makes it incorrect?

The '30-31 Standard Roadsters have a unique top bow configuration. They are very simple. They are made of three bow assemblies (steel sockets with wooden cross ribs) and one pair of flat bars. When in the up position the flat links or bars are linked to the #2 bow assembly via pins.

All other Roadster tops utilize a complete scissor type folding mechanism on each side. '28-29 tops were made of black painted tubular sockets and cross ribs like the '30-31 Standard but had multiple links from flat stock to form the scissor mechanism. '30-31 Deluxe Roadsters used folding irons made from flat stock and attached with screws to steam bent oak bows.

Standard tops were made of black artificial leather.

[Marshall57]

Thank you for the information and here is a little more of what I am talking about.
I believe the picture you sent is the one that I would like to have on my car. I have a different one (old style maybe?).
The top style are like I have on my car, and the bottom group are in the style that I would like to have on the car.
My question is what is possible and what is not, and what is the difference in year type also is there a difference when buying the cloth top material (or kit)?

Thanks again

[Marshall57]

Here is a better picture of the style that I am intrested in

[Bob C]

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The top pictures are standard roadsters and the
bottom are deluxe. The deluxe windshield is lower
than the standard.

[Keith True]

You have Standard parts,and you want to change to the DeLuxe.You will need to change the posts and the windshield to the shorter style.Also,on the Standards the rear of the top leans back a little,on the DeLuxe it leans ahead.Less headroom in the DeLuxe models.It is an easy change,just very expensive.For the top change you will need top irons and bows,a top,a windshield,and the stanchions.I have a 30 Standard,you couldn't pay me to go to the DeLuxe top.I feel like my head is being crowded ahead in a DeLuxe.A Standard is a rare bird now,everybody that got their hands on them made DeLuxe cars out of them.

[Purdy Swoft]

Keith, pretty much said it all. I also have a standard roadster, mine is a may 31 with round speedometer. I would never trade my standard model for a deluxe. You can easily spot the thirty standard roadsters that have been deluxified when you see the oval speedometer. the deluxe roadster wasn't introduced untill july or august of 1930 and by then Ford had changed to the round speedometer. The deluxe roadster has been the preferred model by most. The standard models are rare and I prefer the look of the standard top, it is easier to get in and out of the car with the taller roof and windshield. But to each, his own, just my thoughts.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Keith and Purdy, I'd keep it a standard. I like basic cars just the way they were built and driven when new.

[Bob C]

Another vote for standard

[Marshall57]

Very good advice, I thank you all for your input.
Done right each style looks very nice, and the head room is always an issue.
Looks like I will be sticking with the standard roadster and making my move in that direction.
Because I will be using the bows I have, there will be some side curtains coming even sooner.
Thanks everyone, this has been killing me for some time.
Sticking with a standard roadster

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Good for you Marshall57. I love the standard roadster, especially the headroom. I don't have side curtains and don't plan on getting them as I don't take it out in bad weather. I had side curtains on my 29 roadster and only used them once, they are very confining and the wing windows have to be folded in to use them. Get the tan top cover to cover the top when it's down.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by Keith True

You have Standard parts,and you want to change to the DeLuxe.You will need to change the posts and the windshield to the shorter style.Also,on the Standards the rear of the top leans back a little,on the DeLuxe it leans ahead.Less headroom in the DeLuxe models.It is an easy change,just very expensive.For the top change you will need top irons and bows,a top,a windshield,and the stanchions.I have a 30 Standard,you couldn't pay me to go to the DeLuxe top.I feel like my head is being crowded ahead in a DeLuxe.A Standard is a rare bird now,everybody that got their hands on them made DeLuxe cars out of them.

In my opinion, the "head room" is the same between the DeLuxe and the Standard Roadsters. The difference is in the height of the windshield. With the DeLuxe, tall folks have to hang their heads down to see the road. Forget trying to see traffic lights that hang over the intersection. So, soon enough you develop this "stoop" while sitting and, mile by mile, you "develop" more and more head room!

[Patrick L.]

From the looks of things, it appears to me that you have a standard roadster.. Standards use a 15" windshield while the deluxe use a 13".. I just removed that arm[s] on mine to gain easier access, it still works OK.. I never use the side curtains, they just sit around gathering dust..
I'm still trying to find out if 1931 standards ever had a chrome windshield frame [or if mine was plated later]..

[psgouge]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the side curtain post for 1930 Deluxe Roadster? Have seen different results of the correct rods from the multiple parts houses. No one seems to know??

[Marshall57]

I have reviewed all the information I can come up with, and because of the price of making a mistake I have not order the top as of yet.

I bought this roadster used and do not know if the top is the correct year, or if it for a truck (if that even makes a difference), but I do know that the bottom where it attaches below the back window doesn’t reach anything that it could be attached to.

I am the kind of person that needs to know all I can about this and I have to believe there is a book out there that has the answers to the questions addressed in this thread, along with others that I have, but have not addressed here.

Please think about your library of literature and books and if you have a title that has a complete section of side by side data or restoration information, please pass this knowledge on to the needy (yep that’s me). I would be happy to find a book and buy it if only I knew the thing existed and what the title might be.

So please list the title of the book and the Author if you have such a beast.
Thanks to everyone who has weighed in on this subject, I have benefited greatly.

[Arlen]

Marshall, if your going to keep it standard, keep in mind that you will be driving what was in 1930 the cheapest car for sale in the whole country. I too vote keeping a standard a standard but go through with it 100%. It's a cheap car. Black top, not tan. Black painted windshield frame, not chrome. A cheap black interior, not brown leather. A rear spare most likely. No cowl lights most likely. A rubber floor mat, not carpet, and black wheels. It's a standard, be proud of that. It's a rare car.

[Arlen]

Before you get 25 people all naming the same 1 or 2 books, let me be first. All model A'ers need to own a copy of the Judging Standards. Not because your building a show car but because it really will help you know all the different little things that your going to have questions about. To me, it's what separates the so so rebuilt cars from the "restored" cars. Another handy book is the model a mechanics handbook. About 2 inches thick. It's a red spiral book sold by all the A parts dealers. It's really a great book for the first time restorer. It's a step by step instruction to all the major parts of a restoration. Get a copy and keep it in your garage. I love the book and use it all the time. Those are really the only two I recommend. There's a book on specifically open cars but I don't think it's very good. The two I named would get you a good start on a must own Model A library.

[Richard Wilson]

I agree 100% with Arlen on the two books he suggests. Full titles are Model A Restoration Guidelines & Judging Standards, and Les Andrew's Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol 1. Both books are available from all Model A parts vendors and the two national Model A clubs. Without a doubt the money spent on purchase of these will be the best money you will ever spend on your Model A.

I would suggest that you keep your roadster a standard. You will get ten times more attention at a show than if you have a deluxe roadster as you will probably be the only standard roadster there.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Marshall57

I have reviewed all the information I can come up with, and because of the price of making a mistake I have not order the top as of yet.

I bought this roadster used and do not know if the top is the correct year, or if it for a truck (if that even makes a difference), but I do know that the bottom where it attaches below the back window doesn’t reach anything that it could be attached to.

I am the kind of person that needs to know all I can about this and I have to believe there is a book out there that has the answers to the questions addressed in this thread, along with others that I have, but have not addressed here.

Please think about your library of literature and books and if you have a title that has a complete section of side by side data or restoration information, please pass this knowledge on to the needy (yep that’s me). I would be happy to find a book and buy it if only I knew the thing existed and what the title might be.

So please list the title of the book and the Author if you have such a beast.
Thanks to everyone who has weighed in on this subject, I have benefited greatly.

There has been very little published on standard open models and certainly NO detailed info on your standard Roadster in the last 55 years. With that said, I know that model inside out and backwards. If you can post photos I can tell you what you have and don't have.