The Ford Barn

exoilfld · 08-01-2023, 07:12 AM

I bought the top bows recently from a place in California. with the bows extended, they sort of fit, just looked a little off. but, when I try to put them in the down position, things go really wrong. They get in such a bind that they will do not fully collapse, actually twist the metal part of one bow, and hit the side of the body. I finally gave up and decided to leave the top off after spending $1500 on the bows and $1700 on the top. I wonder if the bows might actually be for a T model. anyway, any one looking to buy phaeton bows, beware!

ronn · 08-01-2023, 08:15 AM

why not try and return them?

Hershey isnt far away...............

exoilfld · 08-01-2023, 09:27 AM

I talked to the person and would not consider it. Also said the bows had been in inventory for 30 years. They look new.

rotorwrench · 08-01-2023, 10:55 AM

That may be why they've been on the shelf for 30 years. Some repro parts work and some don't. Model T irons match the taller windshield. Is this a 28/29 or a 30/31?

Oldbluoval · 08-01-2023, 01:34 PM

So what phaeton are you speaking of? Year? Fordor?
I’ve used 30-31 repop before. Old stock were made by Ezra which has long morphed and no longer making car parts.
They can be problematic but made to work successfully. Might take tweaking
Likely same if 28-29.
Deluxe phaeton irons can be difficult too. Right now, I may be the only mfg of those? No sure.

exoilfld · 08-02-2023, 06:58 AM

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it is a 1930 standard 4 door. I have tried tweaking with some heavy duty wrenches, but the second to last bow still twist when I try to force it into the down position, plus it still hits the side of the body. Do I understand you make them?

Oldbluoval · 08-02-2023, 07:13 AM

I only make deluxe not the tubular ones for std.

exoilfld · 08-02-2023, 07:25 AM

thanks anyway.

David in San Antonio · 08-05-2023, 11:25 AM

ExOilFld - If the vendor refuses to stand behind their products I’d like to know who it is so I don’t use them. The Model A community benefits when honest feedback about vendors is shared.
The fact that the bows have been in inventory for 30 years is irrelevant.

updraught · 08-06-2023, 07:18 AM

No longer available, but they should fold like this

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...99&postcount=6

rotorwrench · 08-06-2023, 09:39 AM

Folding irons on all the old touring types have to have a fair amount of accuracy on the distances between the holes of all the hinge points. The axis of the through holes also need to be accurate with little or no deviation. If a person has a specific arm that is not flowing well through the arc of motion then it can bind or twist depending on the problem at hand. If a person could identify what the cause of the problem is then it may be repairable but not without the capability to weld up holes and properly redrill for best fit. There can also be fabrication of part, patches, or hinge pins and installation of same.

As was mentioned, it can take more than just some tweaking to get them to function as intended. The top wood parts also have to be correct for normal function. If anything is off by much then it will need to be corrected. It's always a good idea to fit the folding top mechanism and do the work prior to installing the canvas or vinyl top materials.

08-01-2023, 07:12 AM	#1
exoilfld Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: alto, tx Posts: 145	phaeton top I bought the top bows recently from a place in California. with the bows extended, they sort of fit, just looked a little off. but, when I try to put them in the down position, things go really wrong. They get in such a bind that they will do not fully collapse, actually twist the metal part of one bow, and hit the side of the body. I finally gave up and decided to leave the top off after spending $1500 on the bows and $1700 on the top. I wonder if the bows might actually be for a T model. anyway, any one looking to buy phaeton bows, beware!

08-01-2023, 08:15 AM	#2
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,827	Re: phaeton top why not try and return them? Hershey isnt far away...............

08-01-2023, 09:27 AM	#3
exoilfld Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: alto, tx Posts: 145	Re: phaeton top I talked to the person and would not consider it. Also said the bows had been in inventory for 30 years. They look new.

08-01-2023, 10:55 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,495	Re: phaeton top That may be why they've been on the shelf for 30 years. Some repro parts work and some don't. Model T irons match the taller windshield. Is this a 28/29 or a 30/31? Last edited by rotorwrench; 08-01-2023 at 11:07 AM.

08-01-2023, 01:34 PM	#5
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,382	Re: phaeton top So what phaeton are you speaking of? Year? Fordor? I’ve used 30-31 repop before. Old stock were made by Ezra which has long morphed and no longer making car parts. They can be problematic but made to work successfully. Might take tweaking Likely same if 28-29. Deluxe phaeton irons can be difficult too. Right now, I may be the only mfg of those? No sure. Last edited by Oldbluoval; 08-02-2023 at 05:27 AM.

08-02-2023, 06:58 AM	#6
exoilfld Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: alto, tx Posts: 145	Re: phaeton top Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) it is a 1930 standard 4 door. I have tried tweaking with some heavy duty wrenches, but the second to last bow still twist when I try to force it into the down position, plus it still hits the side of the body. Do I understand you make them?

08-02-2023, 07:13 AM	#7
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,382	Re: phaeton top I only make deluxe not the tubular ones for std.

08-02-2023, 07:25 AM	#8
exoilfld Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: alto, tx Posts: 145	Re: phaeton top thanks anyway.

08-05-2023, 11:25 AM	#9
David in San Antonio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 244	Re: phaeton top ExOilFld - If the vendor refuses to stand behind their products I’d like to know who it is so I don’t use them. The Model A community benefits when honest feedback about vendors is shared. The fact that the bows have been in inventory for 30 years is irrelevant. __________________ David in San Antonio 1930 ('31?) Deluxe "Wretched Roadster" Restored 1957 Alamo A’s Club

08-06-2023, 07:18 AM	#10
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,982	Re: phaeton top No longer available, but they should fold like this https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...99&postcount=6

08-06-2023, 09:39 AM	#11
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,495	Re: phaeton top Folding irons on all the old touring types have to have a fair amount of accuracy on the distances between the holes of all the hinge points. The axis of the through holes also need to be accurate with little or no deviation. If a person has a specific arm that is not flowing well through the arc of motion then it can bind or twist depending on the problem at hand. If a person could identify what the cause of the problem is then it may be repairable but not without the capability to weld up holes and properly redrill for best fit. There can also be fabrication of part, patches, or hinge pins and installation of same. As was mentioned, it can take more than just some tweaking to get them to function as intended. The top wood parts also have to be correct for normal function. If anything is off by much then it will need to be corrected. It's always a good idea to fit the folding top mechanism and do the work prior to installing the canvas or vinyl top materials.