Hello All, I was hoping I might find someone willing to help me out. As most know, I am restoring my 32' Olds convertible roadster which is actually a cabriolet and uses the same exact roof and windshield (right down to the part numbers) as a Chevy. I have a few questions and hope someone can help. I'm curious on how the windshield frames are sealed on the cowl as to what gasket is used under the two piece frame. I was told that this gasket used to be made by Steele products but no longer is. What are others doing for a replacement. I would also like to find someone willing to take pictures of the roof installed on the bows and car. I'm looking for how the bows are covered with bowdrill cloth especially, and how the roof is mounted along the nail line. I was curious if anyone had pictures. I am willing to pay for a flash drive of good pictures to help me with my restoration. I call the rear bow, the steam bent one that sits at a 45d angle when the roof is up, mid bow is the one that is 90d, makes up the rear of the door window opening, and has the landau arm attached to the full metal frame that supports the wood part. The front bow is the one that sits on top of the windshield frame. I currently have Penn_Dutch Restoration making me up a new rear steam bent bow. I have new wood for the front and the metal liners for it plus all gaskets for the front bow. I've made up new wood for the mid bow and I'm in the process of putting all my ducks in a row so to speak, thats why I'm asking these questions and looking for pictures.
On my middle bow, the wood that is attached at the sides to the metal frame and held in with five flat head screws has two rubber wedges down at the bottom at each side hinge line. It also has remnants of bowdrill cloth and what also appears to be thin upholstery cardboard. It looks like the cardboard was tacked in place covering the face of the wood along with the 5 flat head screws, then the bowdrill cloth was tacked over it. then those wedges were screwed down over everything. Does this sound like anything others have seen? Does anyone else have those rubber wedges? A lot of my car appears to still have original things in place and this is why I ask. My convertible roof was replaced though with a incorrect version but it worked I suppose. I have spoken with others who have cabriolets about the upholstery card board/rubber wedges and all of their cars have been restored with new tops and they don't seem to have anything under the cloth or the rubber wedges. Any help is appreciated on all of the above. Also looking for the cover the roof when folded. Any patterns or one someone would be willing to let me have copied.
The bow that is at 90 degrees on mine had heavy card board like material attached to the wood. I will check the photos for the rubber. The windshield gasket news is not good. I test fitted my windshield this weekend and it hits the top hinge with out a thick gasket.
One other question on the front wood header that sits on the windshield, is that covered with heavy cardboard like material?
If someone has photos as Ted requested they would be helpful to post on here or I too would pay for them.
Thanks for posting Dave. So your middle bow was like mine with the cardboard. Mine was about 3/32" thick. It didn't look quite 1/8" nor was it at thin as a 1/16". My front bow on the windshield was replaced at one time and it was a crude homemade one. The metal was inside but there was no gasket or cloth on it. I do not know if there is any cardboard/upholstery board tacked to the front bow.
" I test fitted my windshield this weekend and it hits the top hinge with out a thick gasket."
I'm trying to understand what you are saying in this statement. Can you clarify? The windshield frame pivots on a hinge down low at the body line. What do you mean by top hinge? The glass is held in the side and top frames with channel tape. There is a rubber gasket that goes in the lower windshield frame that the bottom of the windshield seals against when it is in the upright position. That is Steele #70-0078-52. There is also a hollow gasket in the front bow that seals the bow to the top of the metal windshield frame when the thumb screws are tightened. Steele #70-0137-64 The gasket that seems to no longer be made is the one from the top of the sheet metal cowl to the bottom of the two piece windshield frame. I was told that the gasket was also originally in two pieces. Can someone confirm this?
The bottom of the windshield that goes between the door and the cowl hits the top of the upper most door hinge. I don't have the gasket so it was a test fit without it, hopefully I can find one and it is thick enough to raise the windshield up.. Another member measured his 32 and there was a .030 gap between the door hinge and the bottom of the windshield.. My body molding's line up.
Thanks and I will measure the material this am, I did save a sample.
I checked the Steele web site and 70-0078-52 looks like what goes into the windshield channel and the glass seals against when the windshield is folded up. I remember seeing the gasket/molding that goes between the windshield and the body somewhere. The service news calls out a repair for leaking in this area , the fix is using a compound substance so there my not have been a gasket originally.
OK, Dave, now I understand. I was told that some are using flat rubber under the lower frame and then using a small fender welt to give the lip that was originally in front of the frame where it meets the cowl. I had pictures of my diassembly but when my old computer crashed, I lost those early pictures. I know there was some sort of gasket under my frame. I can't believe more people haven't chimed in as there are a few cabriolets out there. I've got to call the person who probably can help us on this today. Possibly later on as I have a lot going on today.
If part of your question is about how the windshield frame is sealed against the body, then I might be able to help. When I did my car I purchased two roadster seals and bonded them to the windshield frame. I can also supply photos that the upholster took when he did my top. John Potter
Hello john, I was hoping you might reply. It would be super helpful for us if you could supply that info. A while back you sent me a flash drive on your wood work but I misplaced your contact information. That is the main question, sealing the windshield frame to the body. I will PM you with my email and pass the information on to Dave.
It was recommended to me by a fellow VCCA member that I speak with a gentleman from the NE area who’s restored 5 cabriolets. After speaking with John, I was able to get some answers and here is what he was able to tell me. 1. The mid bow wood faces do get an upholstery type fiber board tacked to them before they’re covered with bow drill cloth. 2. The rear bow gets a sleeve covering made up of bow drill cloth, sewn together to just fit over the thickest part of the bow. After sewing the seam, it’s pulled through back on itself so the seam is to the inside of the sleeve. The edge of the sleeve starts just above the top end of the bow iron on one side and ends in the same place on the other side. 3. The rubber anti-rattle wedge pads at the bottoms of my mid bow by the hinge area were not used on the Chevy and were probably an “added value†feature of the Oldsmobile. 4. Front bow was covered with bow drill cloth but no upholstery board. 5. There was a cup escutcheon in the recess in the wood of the mid bow where the T-bolt goes through to secure the removable horizontal roof irons. (I did not have these escutcheons and will need to make replacements)
Hi Ted........just reading this thread.........I sent pics of the escutcheons yesterday but didn't realize there may be more I can do. Perhaps when I return home next week I could send more pics &/or you may plan a visit. The car is unrestored with approx 45k miles. I am not an expert but most assemblies appear to be original. The roof assembly is reasonably intact absent of the fabric top. However there are fragments remaining that may provide insight as well. Keep in mind the car was in storage for over 50 yrs. I believe most rubber parts like anti rattle wedge pads are there and suitable to duplicate. I will touch base when I return next week. Thank you for all your posts and shared information.......speak to you soon
Well bob, if you in fact have the rubber vibration wedge pads, then you would be the first Chevy owner to confirm they were on the Chevy cabriolet too. Joe and I are making up a mold for them and will be casting them up soon. I’ve already machined up a mold for a special grommet used-in the exhaust hanger and another mold for a special bumper pad for the 32’ Olds. Joe has casted them up with excellent results. I can show you when I get there. I’m thinking I might make up a die to punch out the cabriolet roof bolt escutcheons too. I haven’t found anywhere they’re offered for sale so I assume they’re unavailable as of right now.
