'33-'34 rear floor wire hoops

[DavidG]

Originally, '33-'34 passenger cars with rear seats (enclosed and rumble) had a cloth filler in the large round hole in the rear of the floor pan above the rear axle center section. (As opposed to the domed steel pan for that purpose in body types with trunks.)

The cloth filler was composed of scrap top and upholstery material with a heavy wire hoop sew into the perimeter. The hoop had an opening where the steel rod was bent upward on each side of the opening to serve as a place to squeeze to extract the hoop and its sewn-material from the floor pan. In three places on the perimeter the rod had formed outward bumps that corresponded to the three slots in the opening in the floor pan. With the bumps inserted into the slots, the filler was held securely in place.

Given that the filler was made of surplus fabric, few originals seem to have survived. Does anyone here on the 'barn' know of someone who reproduced the hoop rod? Or have a couple to spare? LeBaron Bonney used to offer the complete assembly, hoop rod and sewn-in fabric, but of course that was years ago.

[Steve Staysko]

This is the one that I made for my 34 roadster.

[Steve Staysko]

This is the wire hoop.

[dean333]

What was its purpose?

[TJ]

The purpose was to cover the hole in the floor pan for clearing the rear crossmember.

[bobH]

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This doesn't help with David's question, but, like Steve, I made one. I used 'fence wire', sourced at Home Depot (I think). Pretty strong wire, and 'springy'. For fabric, I had done my top insert with LB material, and had lots of scrap material... This was because of David's suggestion many moons ago. And, I had access to a commercial sewing machine to put it together.

[DavidG]

Apart from covering the hole in the floor, its purpose is the same as why seat cushion backing in numerous applications has vent holes, namely to provide a vent for the air to escape when the cushion is sat upon or rested against. In this case, holes in the floor weren't the answer but with fabric loosely sewn in the hoop, there was at least some give. Not the best technology, but likely it was a necessary afterthought once the tooling for the floor pans was already completed.

[Lawrie]

my 33 has a steel pan over the hole with 3 little tags that hold it in.
Lawrie

[mercman from oz]

Rear Floor in Australian 1933 Ford Phaetons. As Lawrie said, our Australian Fords only have this metal Lid to cover the hole?

[TerryS]

Here are some pictures of what I believe to be original from dads car. Hope this helps.
Terry

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by TerryS

Here are some pictures of what I believe to be original from dads car. Hope this helps.
Terry

[DavidG]

Here are two more original inserts In addition to that in TerryS's photos. The three of them along with several others that I have had in the past confirm the center seam which was sewn on each end, but not in the center. This permitted it to serve as an air pressure relief valve when the cushion was sat upon.


The third photo shows one of the three slots in the vertical portion of the opening perimeter by way of contrast with the different configuration on Australian bodies.

[Lawrie]

Hard to believe that ford could build such a great car and put something as bodgy as that in.
Lawrie

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Here are two more original inserts In addition to that in TerryS's photos. The three of them along with several others that I have had in the past confirm the center seam which was sewn on each end, but not in the center. This permitted it to serve as an air pressure relief valve when the cushion was sat upon.


The third photo shows one of the three slots in the vertical portion of the opening perimeter by way of contrast with the different configuration on Australian bodies.