VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 31 Phaeton

Anyone have instructions on proper way to fold down the top of a 31 Phaeton? There are snaps across the bottom at the back. Are these to be unsnapped when folding the top? Any info appreciated. Gary

I am going to take a STAB at it.

No, because the top folds down **onto** the rear portion of the body.

My 35 phaeton folds down same as yours.

But my 35 roadster the top folds down into the special area behind the seat.

I don't think the roadster top buttons/clips at rear would need to be undone. My roadster under construction does not have the cloth yet.

I stand to be corrected by some more knowledgeable entity.

mike

You should definitely get a copy of the owners manual. On the earlier roadsters you had to unsnap the rear SIDE snaps so that they did not tear. As the rear bow comes down it also pivots back an inch or so. The snaps across the back should be okay. I would think the phaeton would be the same. You could always unsnap them and then after its down try to re-snap them and see which ones are close.

On my 34 Chevy Roadster when I put the top down it folds into the pocket area behind the bench seat plus I have a boot cover that snaps all around even where the bottom rear window snaps and gives it a great finish look!
Rory
1934 Chevrolet Standard DC Sport Roadster for sale
1933 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1934 Ford 4 Door Sedan under construction
1933 Ford 4 Door Phaeton

Thanks for the inputs. I do have a copy of the owners manual. Nothing on folding the top there. Reviewing my Service News bulletins for 1931 I found instructions for folding the Landau top which helps some. Thanks again.
Gary

I don't think we have to be members of MENSA to figure out how to fold the top on a phaeton.

I have never had mine down but it looks pretty straight forward. Probably best for 2 people , one each side , to do it for first time. The rear most bow is folded to rest on the metal saddle and the leather strap is wrapped around it to make it stay in place.

If you go thru lebaron bonney top parts for all the clips and other parts specifically for roadsters and tourings. They also sell the Harrtz canvas top material in blacks and tan.

They also sell the clear plastic for the side curtains and you can use the ford style metal side curtain door pockets and adapt the model A or B side curtain rods to your chevrolet .

mike

No, I'm not a member of Mensa but I am having a problem with the proper folding of the top so everything fits in the boot cover. The pads are fastened to the center two top bows with small nails and this seems to inhibit the folding as I can't pull the pads and top out of the folding top bows so they will nest neatly. Agreed it is a two person job.

I have all the side curtains which are like new since I've only installed them once.
Gary

Hi Gary,
I have a 29 and the top just folds back onto its self, without having to undo anything except off course the two wing nuts on the front screen. No fuss, but a two man operation. The tacks on the bow ensures that the hood does not baloon up while driving and also helps when folding the hood. The tacks can only go in one position and they are important.
If you have difficulty folding the top, I suggest you check that the hinged elbows are working as they should. A rusty or sticking elbow joint is probably your problem. Could also be a bent hood frame caused by stuck hinges.

If you have puffy pads like are used on modern convertible tops they will bunch up and inhibit folding the top mechanism. Wide woven straps were tacked on the bends to help form the top when up.

Mechanically everything seems to work OK. All the joints are free. I believe the position of the pads as nailed to the bows is giving me a problem. They are not very thick but like I said they are in the way of allowing the frames to nest properly. Thanks for the inputs.

Gary