Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-26-2018, 08:05 AM   #1
mister32
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 40
Default Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

I've had my 32 5w for a while now with no top. It's something that was kind of intimidating for me to try to do and I didn't want to rush into it. I couldn't find much information on how to do it and I was particularly worried about how to stretch the vinyl properly. For a long time I planned on paying someone else to do it. I finally got my head around a game plan and went after it myself just trying to work through it logically. I'm pretty happy with how it came out and I think it fits my coupe nicely. I made a video covering how I went about it. Here's the link below... *Be sure to click "HD" on the video settings so you get the full quality video*
https://youtu.be/3akDquJGeHM
mister32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 08:33 AM   #2
Old Redneck
Senior Member
 
Old Redneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesburg,Pa.
Posts: 1,907
Send a message via AIM to Old Redneck Send a message via Yahoo to Old Redneck
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

That very nice of you to do this to help others doing this. Thank you very much. Hope others learn to film to show others how to restore there 32.
Old Redneck is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-26-2018, 09:30 AM   #3
John R
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: near Washington, DC
Posts: 558
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

This is a great video! Thanks for taking the time to do it.
__________________
Those who do not move do not die, but are they not already dead?
John R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 09:51 AM   #4
mfagan
Senior Member
 
mfagan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kaufman, TX
Posts: 822
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Great job, super nice!
__________________
Marvin Fagan
214-697-8430
mfagan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 11:07 AM   #5
mister32
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 40
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Thanks! I'm sure there are guys on here who could do a better job than me on the roof, but I'm happy with it and maybe someone else will pick something up from it.
mister32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 11:37 AM   #6
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Very interesting approach!
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:35 PM   #7
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

I agree with JSeery about the approach being "Interesting". I've done four '32 roof replacement successfully, two coupes and two sedans, and should I do a fifth, I would not follow this video. In my opinion, the wood frame and stretching the material on the frame is a wasted step as that can be accomplished on the car during installation.


The video is fine if you are using unfinished components like the installation of the steel molding, but if it is painted, which would most likely be the case, you cannot just whack away with a hammer (and not even a tack hammer at that) without disastrous results. Further without laying down a sealer covering the outer edges of the outer fabric and the tack heads you are asking for water damage to both the wood and the interior headlining.


Sorry to be a wet blanket, but this video has it limitations for use in a restoration.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 05:46 PM   #8
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,367
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

The frame idea won't even get close on the older fordors & tudors where they wrap down the sides. I've always felt it best do start in the middle front & rear then work the cover out to the sides but as long as the result keeps it looking tidy with no wrinkles, a person can do it any way they feel comfortable with. David is right on the money about those sealing strips. A lot of care has to go into that installation. That stuff is what folks can see and it's not an easy task to seal it and get it on there without messing it up. Drive it in a rain storm and a mistake will show up quick.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 07-27-2018 at 09:04 AM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2018, 05:40 AM   #9
prpmmp
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: west grove Pa.
Posts: 238
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Thanks for taking the time and effort to post and film your results!! Great Job!! Now if only the others with better ideas would do the same!! Pete
prpmmp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2018, 08:14 AM   #10
deuce5wndw
Senior Member
 
deuce5wndw's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Liberty, KY
Posts: 896
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Nice job! Really like your car too!
deuce5wndw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 04:15 PM   #11
TagMan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Alvaton, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 952
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Naysayers, naysayers, naysayers, but they didn't go to the effort of making a YouTube video to help others - good on you for doing so and a big "Thank You!"

Also, glad to see there are younger guys out there actually working on their cars and not just changing computer chips for performance!
TagMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 04:51 PM   #12
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,367
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

It doesn't take a U-tube to figure it out. Folks have been doing it for years before computers ever came out. If he had a freshly painted body and applied protective tape around the edges where the seal strips go and applied sealer then installed them correctly then no one would have said anything. Let him do it correctly next time like any restorer worth his salt would do. That thing will leak in a rain storm unless he seals it all the way around. It has instructional value but it still leaves more questions than answers. The patina thing may attract some folks but I prefer a job well done for instructional value.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 06:51 PM   #13
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

It would be different if there was some 'trick' involved in the installation, but there is none. It is simply common sense, a step at a time. Given the materials used, the kit likely came from LeBaron Bonney and they provide easy-to-follow illustrated instructions.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 06:56 PM   #14
Vintage Copper 47
Senior Member
 
Vintage Copper 47's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: The sleepy San Fernando Valley
Posts: 394
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Great sounding motor! Thanks for the video!
__________________
WALT

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

"Old enough for the experience & too young to know better"
Vintage Copper 47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 10:42 PM   #15
outlaw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eagle River,Alaska
Posts: 352
Thumbs up Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by TagMan View Post
Naysayers, naysayers, naysayers, but they didn't go to the effort of making a YouTube video to help others - good on you for doing so and a big "Thank You!"

Also, glad to see there are younger guys out there actually working on their cars and not just changing computer chips for performance!
I couldn't agree more. I sent you a thank you on the HAMB & I will thank you here too. Those of us who have never attempted this appreciate your making the video. I have this to do on my 36 coupe in the future & although slightly different it gives me some insight on what it will require. Thank you again! Bill
outlaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 11:14 PM   #16
1931flathead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: central minn
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Some people you can not please they can do it better then any one I had a boss like that you could do your best but he could do it better didn't mater what it was
At least he tried to do it may not be the Wright way but he got it done I give my hands off for trying to do his best
Just like a paint job on a car there will be some one that will complain about something on it
1931flathead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2018, 11:54 PM   #17
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

I like all the advice given.


When I saw the title "32 roof insert" I thought this might be about filling/welding the 32 roof solid with a cutup mini van roof. Glad it wasn't that. For the mini van sake.


Nice 32.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2018, 12:40 AM   #18
dumb person
Senior Member
 
dumb person's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South pacific island
Posts: 1,724
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

I like how you used vinyl with the padding, its like aircon' compared to a solid metal roof.
The video makes me want to put a top on my car.
__________________
<Link> This is how we roll<Link>

"I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob
Outcasts rules of old cars
#1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated
#2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong
#3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough.
#4 No shame in recreating something you never had
#5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable
dumb person is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2021, 01:24 PM   #19
dodgerb440
Junior Member
 
dodgerb440's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Greenwood Arkansas
Posts: 17
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

I tried to watch your video and YouTube said it was a private video (you must be invited to watch it) How do I do that?
dodgerb440 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2021, 05:01 PM   #20
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: Putting a roof insert in my 1932 Ford coupe

Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerb440 View Post
I tried to watch your video and YouTube said it was a private video (you must be invited to watch it) How do I do that?
He was last on the Barn on 12-13-2018. My guess would be he didn't like constructive criticism.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:10 PM.