The Ford Barn

bschulze · 07-09-2023, 03:39 PM

It looks like my 1928 Roaster Pick up fabric top would fold its top except for the side braces do not hinge. They are solid. Have you made the mods to get yours to fold? Its no fun having a roadster and you can't put the top down.
Please advise.
Thank you, Bob in Council Bluffs, Iowa

gdmn852 · 07-09-2023, 05:09 PM

Hello, I have a 31 roadster, I just removed the entire top, two wing screws at top of windshield and two knobs at quarter to top mount.And hope it doesn’t rain when driving!!My top bows are repro probably and hard to get them to collapse. Also fasteners around belt have to be Un clipped .

Doug Linden · 07-09-2023, 05:11 PM

Back in the day, Lebaron Bonney sold folding top irons for a roadster pickup. A friend bought that set up for his roadster pickup and it work great. I don't know if anyone has continued to manufacture that folding top.

California Travieso · 07-09-2023, 05:50 PM

Taking the top off is the easiest and cheapest way to go. As far as rain is concerned, that’s why the roadsters and phaetons have vinyl interiors! Although you could easily stow the top in the bed of your pickup.

Speedway sells universal folding top irons for hot rods. Maybe those could be adopted for your Roadster Pickup. Of course, you’d have the additional cost of the top irons and canvas top as well.

David Serrano

Ray in La Mesa · 07-09-2023, 06:30 PM

I made my own folding top irons for my '28 roadster p/u out of 1/2" rebar with a double jointed hinge in the middle of the long one.

Stretch Cab · 07-10-2023, 08:22 AM

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The original top is not meant to be taken off so you will have to remove the fasteners where it attaches behind the seat. I put removable fasteners on mine to make it easier to remove.

ronn · 07-11-2023, 02:10 PM

you could most likely adapt on old MG top to work regarding folding.

would seem much easier then starting from scratch. Of course you want to get the "right" look.
speedway has tops, but might need some adjustment as well. around 500.

California Travieso · 07-11-2023, 06:09 PM

Ray,

You have the best solution. A picture of your creation would help.

David Serrano

ronn · 07-11-2023, 06:59 PM

Im curious to see Rays creation.
rebar is used in cement and dont think that would work at all...........

Ray in La Mesa · 07-11-2023, 07:35 PM

Haven't figured out how to post photos. The rebar has been working fine since 1971. I modified a rear spring bushing to slide over the double hinge to lock it in place.

07-09-2023, 03:39 PM	#1
bschulze Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Posts: 18	Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? It looks like my 1928 Roaster Pick up fabric top would fold its top except for the side braces do not hinge. They are solid. Have you made the mods to get yours to fold? Its no fun having a roadster and you can't put the top down. Please advise. Thank you, Bob in Council Bluffs, Iowa

07-09-2023, 05:09 PM	#2
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Hello, I have a 31 roadster, I just removed the entire top, two wing screws at top of windshield and two knobs at quarter to top mount.And hope it doesn’t rain when driving!!My top bows are repro probably and hard to get them to collapse. Also fasteners around belt have to be Un clipped .

07-09-2023, 05:11 PM	#3
Doug Linden Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 259	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Back in the day, Lebaron Bonney sold folding top irons for a roadster pickup. A friend bought that set up for his roadster pickup and it work great. I don't know if anyone has continued to manufacture that folding top.

07-09-2023, 05:50 PM	#4
California Travieso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 949	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Taking the top off is the easiest and cheapest way to go. As far as rain is concerned, that’s why the roadsters and phaetons have vinyl interiors! Although you could easily stow the top in the bed of your pickup. Speedway sells universal folding top irons for hot rods. Maybe those could be adopted for your Roadster Pickup. Of course, you’d have the additional cost of the top irons and canvas top as well. David Serrano

07-09-2023, 06:30 PM	#5
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? I made my own folding top irons for my '28 roadster p/u out of 1/2" rebar with a double jointed hinge in the middle of the long one.

07-10-2023, 08:22 AM	#6
Stretch Cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 695	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The original top is not meant to be taken off so you will have to remove the fasteners where it attaches behind the seat. I put removable fasteners on mine to make it easier to remove. __________________ Let us live so that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain

07-11-2023, 02:10 PM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? you could most likely adapt on old MG top to work regarding folding. would seem much easier then starting from scratch. Of course you want to get the "right" look. speedway has tops, but might need some adjustment as well. around 500.

07-11-2023, 06:09 PM	#8
California Travieso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 949	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Ray, You have the best solution. A picture of your creation would help. David Serrano

07-11-2023, 06:59 PM	#9
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Im curious to see Rays creation. rebar is used in cement and dont think that would work at all...........

07-11-2023, 07:35 PM	#10
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Convert my 28 Roadster Pick up to a convertible?? Haven't figured out how to post photos. The rebar has been working fine since 1971. I modified a rear spring bushing to slide over the double hinge to lock it in place.