1930 Roadster Roof Resources?

[David in San Antonio]

1930 Roadster - I’m looking for a clear step by step reference guide for the roof. Is there a book specifically covering this? I'm completely new to this, no practical experience.
Three current examples:
1. The rivet that joins sections on one side of the roof frame has broken. What is the correct rivet to use (size, material)? Once I get a new rivet how does it install? For example, what tools do I need? Does it insert from the inside or outside? I used a manual pop rivet gun in the past. Is this the same? For that matter, why a rivet? Would a bolt and nut work just as well? See, I’m not kidding about knowing nothing.
2. The car came with side curtains. The front sections installed pretty easily. The little rear sections? I can’t figure out how they should be placed. Maybe the snaps on the body aren’t placed correctly or the rear sections aren’t for this model?
3. The rubber vacuum hose for the windshield wiper motor is fouling against the big wing nut which cinches down the roof to the stanchion. Is the metal tube mounted too high? Is it too long? Should the rubber hose be routed differently?
A clear photo would help a lot.
Would love to hear from someone who has actually dealt with any of these issues.

Thanks everyone!

[David in San Antonio]

Oh, one more question (for the moment): Is there some way to clear up the yellowing of the plastic windows?

[mcgarrett]

David,
I have a '30 Roadster too, so I'm interested in following your thread here. I don't have side curtains on mine, so I can't be much help on that topic. Could you post some photos of the problem areas you mentioned?

[ronn]

I would change out the yellowed plastic. If they are yellow, they should also be getting brittle.

[David in San Antonio]

If I did this correctly there should be 3 pictures of the roof frame

[David in San Antonio]

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Vacuum line fouls on roof-stanchion wing nut

[David in San Antonio]

Yellowed, but not brittle door window. Any alternative to unstitching and sewing in a new one?
Aft side curtains. Do they mount from inside the car? What are the correct attachment points for the snaps?

[mcgarrett]

David,
I would think an experienced upholstery/trim shop could easily replace those yellowed windows without too much trouble. Look for with a shop that does a lot of boat interiors or British sports cars. Bet they could help you.

[mcgarrett]

David,
Also, your photos are very helpful. Someone on this forum should be able to advise you on the top iron problem and vacuum line issue. Stand by...

[sjhark]

David- I have a 31 Deluxe Roadster. My vacuum line doesn't appear to go as high as yours does. According to Bratton's website, a Standard tube is 9 1/2" long and a Deluxe is 9" long. You can see how it's mounted. I enclosed a picture of another car that's not mine (Marco's?) that shows how the rubber line runs.

[David in San Antonio]

@SJHark - Thank you for the advice and pictures. I’m going to experiment with alternative hose paths.

[sjhark]

David- the rivet for the top irons will be a solid iron rivet. This is not the same as a pop rivet, which is hollow. You can get iron rivets by internet searching iron rivets. I know MSC Industrial Supply and McMaster Carr, among others, carry them. You'll have to measure your good top iron for approximate length. I'm not sure which way they are inserted from (I don't have mine handy to look at) but you should be able to tell by looking at the good one. You heat them up red hot (propane torch) and mash the end with a hammer, a hammer and rivet setting punch, or an air hammer with a rivet setting end.
The spacer is just a steel tube that you can make yourself; just measure the good one you have. You may be able to find one at your local hardware store that is close. Modify it to fit your needs.
This will undoubtedly mess up your top iron paint, so look for some touch up paint.
I don't have a set of side curtains for my car, but your picture of the rear one doesn't match what I've seen for Deluxe Roadsters. I think it might be for a different model.

[David in San Antonio]

@sjhark - Red hot rivets! Immediately visualized old black and white photos of workmen on skyscrapers with a stove and forceps tossing hot rivets to a guy who caught them with a metal funnel or insulated glove and set them in place for his buddy with a jackhammer (see attached photo from 1931)

I foresee lots of learning and practice before doing the actual repair.

At least I'll be standing on the ground and not on an iron beam 40 stories above Manhattan!