The Ford Barn

modela4shane · 06-13-2022, 04:17 PM

Any one know if the top irons for a 1928-29 are the same as 1930-31?
I have a set of top irons and bows for my 1929 phaeton that i purchased years ago but the front bow above the windshield seems too wide for my car.
Starting to think that the bows might be for a 30-31 phaeton instead of 28-29.
The top clamp steel brackets with the thumb screws do not line up with the top of the windshield stanchions... TOO WIDE. Any one have some insight or pictures to share?
Thank you in advance!

wrndln · 06-13-2022, 04:51 PM

I believe the top irons for 30/31 roadsters and phaetons are about 2" further apart than 28/29 top irons and stanchions. I know that 30/31 windshields are wider than 28/29 frames.
Rusty Nelson

rotorwrench · 06-13-2022, 06:52 PM

The standard phaeton had a higher belt line than the earlier 28/29 plus the folding windshield. Sales of these cars dropped off a lot by 1931. In 1931 Ford only produced 4,074 units. The new 2-door deluxe phaeton took the wind out of the sales on the standard models.

I've heard of folks modifying irons to fit since they are different. The later 30/31 irons are likely more valuable then the 28/29 types. They are similar but not the same. Maybe someone has a set of early types but needs the later types. Horse trading may do the trick if you are fortunate.

modela4shane · 06-14-2022, 11:08 AM

Do you think a guy could remove all the wood bows and purchase new 1928-29 bows that are not as wide as the 30-31 and install on my current irons and have a top that would work on a 1928-29phaeton? Are the irons all the same just diffrent widths? 28-29 narrow and 30-31 wider?

wrndln · 06-14-2022, 12:42 PM

I am wondering if you could just use the wood lengths for 28/29 phaeton top irons on what you suspect might maybe 30/31 irons. It might be worth a try. I have a set of 28/29 top irons, that may be old time reproduction irons. I also was sent drawings of 28/29 wood bows from a helpful Fordbarn member. They are readable original Ford drawings. If you want me send them to you, send me your email address. My email address is: [email protected].
Rusty Nelson

updraught · 06-15-2022, 05:24 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

28 -29
https://www.macsautoparts.com/model-...8-23111-1.html

30 -31 standard
https://www.ecklers.com/model-a-ford...8-23115-1.html

Check the roof line, looks flatter in 1930.

Oldbluoval · 06-15-2022, 07:48 AM

The metal irons are different between the 28-29 & 30-31
I do believe one could make irons work with a bit of craftsmanship.
I guessing updraught references were for visuals; note “out of stock” on both.
Those irons haven’t been reproduced for several years. The only source dropped antique auto parts…it was a sideline.

06-13-2022, 04:17 PM	#1
modela4shane Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 165	1928-29 phaeton top irons Any one know if the top irons for a 1928-29 are the same as 1930-31? I have a set of top irons and bows for my 1929 phaeton that i purchased years ago but the front bow above the windshield seems too wide for my car. Starting to think that the bows might be for a 30-31 phaeton instead of 28-29. The top clamp steel brackets with the thumb screws do not line up with the top of the windshield stanchions... TOO WIDE. Any one have some insight or pictures to share? Thank you in advance!

06-13-2022, 04:51 PM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,175	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons I believe the top irons for 30/31 roadsters and phaetons are about 2" further apart than 28/29 top irons and stanchions. I know that 30/31 windshields are wider than 28/29 frames. Rusty Nelson

06-13-2022, 06:52 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,484	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons The standard phaeton had a higher belt line than the earlier 28/29 plus the folding windshield. Sales of these cars dropped off a lot by 1931. In 1931 Ford only produced 4,074 units. The new 2-door deluxe phaeton took the wind out of the sales on the standard models. I've heard of folks modifying irons to fit since they are different. The later 30/31 irons are likely more valuable then the 28/29 types. They are similar but not the same. Maybe someone has a set of early types but needs the later types. Horse trading may do the trick if you are fortunate.

06-14-2022, 11:08 AM	#4
modela4shane Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 165	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons Do you think a guy could remove all the wood bows and purchase new 1928-29 bows that are not as wide as the 30-31 and install on my current irons and have a top that would work on a 1928-29phaeton? Are the irons all the same just diffrent widths? 28-29 narrow and 30-31 wider?

06-14-2022, 12:42 PM	#5
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,175	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons I am wondering if you could just use the wood lengths for 28/29 phaeton top irons on what you suspect might maybe 30/31 irons. It might be worth a try. I have a set of 28/29 top irons, that may be old time reproduction irons. I also was sent drawings of 28/29 wood bows from a helpful Fordbarn member. They are readable original Ford drawings. If you want me send them to you, send me your email address. My email address is: [email protected]. Rusty Nelson

06-15-2022, 05:24 AM	#6
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,982	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 28 -29 https://www.macsautoparts.com/model-...8-23111-1.html 30 -31 standard https://www.ecklers.com/model-a-ford...8-23115-1.html Check the roof line, looks flatter in 1930.

06-15-2022, 07:48 AM	#7
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,379	Re: 1928-29 phaeton top irons The metal irons are different between the 28-29 & 30-31 I do believe one could make irons work with a bit of craftsmanship. I guessing updraught references were for visuals; note “out of stock” on both. Those irons haven’t been reproduced for several years. The only source dropped antique auto parts…it was a sideline.