The Ford Barn

c277687 · 06-03-2021, 06:38 AM

I'm getting ready to install the top on my leatherback Vicky. See picture:

1) What are the red circled holes for? They measure ~ 3/16"
2) Do I nail down the top sheet metal thru the small holes in blue?

rotorwrench · 06-03-2021, 11:21 AM

What I know about putting a top on a 1931 Vicky wouldn't fill a thimble but I do know that all of the model A cars with the wood structure top (no sheet metal), which covers about all the coupes & sedan models, have some form of wire netting and heavy overlay to cover that large opening. The wire netting or chicken wire (whatever you want to call it) is generally tacked or stappled to the wood bows of the opening only. A layer of burlap material is generally used to pad the wire netting the another layer of heavy muslin material is placed over that. I'm not sure if the burlap is extended out to the metal recess or not but I know that the muslin would be. Some cars may just use the muslin but I don't know. It just depends on how it all lays out to keep the top flat all the way back to the valance or roof covering attachment at the rear of the top before the padding layer and the roof covering material are laid out. The cloth covering would be tacked down through those holes to keep it firm and tight but not too tight. A person wants it to stay nice and flat up there. If there is a ripple anywhere on there it will likely be detectable by a keen eye for such things. Most cars used a molding around there but that wouldn't work well with a leather back type. Any moldings would go around the outer edges of the final layer of top material to keep it tight and flat.

Hopefully another forum member with experience on the victoria body can help you further and confirm my statements here.

c277687 · 06-03-2021, 11:29 AM

Thanks rotorwrench. Hopefully someone can help me. ...Brad

Benson · 06-03-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c277687

I'm getting ready to install the top on my leatherback Vicky. See picture:

1) What are the red circled holes for? They measure ~ 3/16"
2) Do I nail down the top sheet metal thru the small holes in blue?

Try this:

https://web.archive.org/web/20140906...finstall-1.htm

c277687 · 06-03-2021, 12:59 PM

Thanks Benson but this is beyond the point where I'm at. I need to secure the top sheet metal to the rails. Thank you for the link. I haven't been able to get to Marcos site for some reason.

Brad

Bill Cilker · 06-03-2021, 07:09 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Brad
Look in the January 1931 Service bulletins there is a large writeup on replacing the Victoria top. Also, MAFCA's new Victoria Body book has some information on installing the top.

The following is a portion of an article in the Victoria Association Bustle

Step 8 - When everything is properly fitted and clamped into place, you can attach the top ribs to the top inner rails with #10 x 1" countersunk screws. Attach the rear cross bow to the left and right outer rails by drilling pilot holes up through the outer rails into the cross bow, then install two #10 x 2" flat head wood screws. On the original installation, the inner rails were attached to the top side metal panels with special large flat head nails.

c277687 · 06-03-2021, 07:34 PM

That's it! Thanks Bill. I thought there had to be special nails for the metal panels. Looks like I'll fit the panels with flat head screws.

Brad

rotorwrench · 06-04-2021, 11:01 AM

Get all the recommended information and study it. If anything protrudes up from level on a covered top, it will be visible after the covering goes on. Flat head screws aren't all that flat and countersunk screws have to have a countersink recess to keep them good and flush.

Ford manufactured things pretty well to get excellent fit and finish which is remarkable considering the cost of these vehicles in their time. They may have been low priced but they were made to look good and last a long time. All these old cars are a Ford family legacy that is going to be around for more than a few lifetimes.

06-03-2021, 11:21 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: What are these holes for? What I know about putting a top on a 1931 Vicky wouldn't fill a thimble but I do know that all of the model A cars with the wood structure top (no sheet metal), which covers about all the coupes & sedan models, have some form of wire netting and heavy overlay to cover that large opening. The wire netting or chicken wire (whatever you want to call it) is generally tacked or stappled to the wood bows of the opening only. A layer of burlap material is generally used to pad the wire netting the another layer of heavy muslin material is placed over that. I'm not sure if the burlap is extended out to the metal recess or not but I know that the muslin would be. Some cars may just use the muslin but I don't know. It just depends on how it all lays out to keep the top flat all the way back to the valance or roof covering attachment at the rear of the top before the padding layer and the roof covering material are laid out. The cloth covering would be tacked down through those holes to keep it firm and tight but not too tight. A person wants it to stay nice and flat up there. If there is a ripple anywhere on there it will likely be detectable by a keen eye for such things. Most cars used a molding around there but that wouldn't work well with a leather back type. Any moldings would go around the outer edges of the final layer of top material to keep it tight and flat. Hopefully another forum member with experience on the victoria body can help you further and confirm my statements here. Last edited by rotorwrench; 06-03-2021 at 06:26 PM.

06-03-2021, 11:29 AM	#3
c277687 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 23	Re: What are these holes for? Thanks rotorwrench. Hopefully someone can help me. ...Brad

06-03-2021, 12:59 PM	#5
c277687 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 23	Re: What are these holes for? Thanks Benson but this is beyond the point where I'm at. I need to secure the top sheet metal to the rails. Thank you for the link. I haven't been able to get to Marcos site for some reason. Brad

06-03-2021, 07:09 PM	#6
Bill Cilker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 398	Re: What are these holes for? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Brad Look in the January 1931 Service bulletins there is a large writeup on replacing the Victoria top. Also, MAFCA's new Victoria Body book has some information on installing the top. The following is a portion of an article in the Victoria Association Bustle Step 8 - When everything is properly fitted and clamped into place, you can attach the top ribs to the top inner rails with #10 x 1" countersunk screws. Attach the rear cross bow to the left and right outer rails by drilling pilot holes up through the outer rails into the cross bow, then install two #10 x 2" flat head wood screws. On the original installation, the inner rails were attached to the top side metal panels with special large flat head nails. __________________ Bill Cilker, Jr Unrestored 190A Victoria 45B, 160B & 189A Victoria Association President

06-03-2021, 07:34 PM	#7
c277687 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 23	Re: What are these holes for? That's it! Thanks Bill. I thought there had to be special nails for the metal panels. Looks like I'll fit the panels with flat head screws. Brad

06-04-2021, 11:01 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: What are these holes for? Get all the recommended information and study it. If anything protrudes up from level on a covered top, it will be visible after the covering goes on. Flat head screws aren't all that flat and countersunk screws have to have a countersink recess to keep them good and flush. Ford manufactured things pretty well to get excellent fit and finish which is remarkable considering the cost of these vehicles in their time. They may have been low priced but they were made to look good and last a long time. All these old cars are a Ford family legacy that is going to be around for more than a few lifetimes.