VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Cabriolet Convertible Top Information for 31-32's

Hello All,
As most know, I'm currently restoring my 32' Olds deluxe convertible roadster. The convertible roof is exactly the same as 31'-32' Chevy cabriolet models right down to the same part numbers. I have been researching the proper material for the roof and have been working with Eric Haartz, owner of Haartz Automotive Fabrics, the oldest such business in existence today (I believe). After both of us have spent a couple weeks researching both the Chevy and Olds documents we could find it has been determined that if one is going with a black roof but a tan interior, they would use the Haartz, black short cobra grained vinyl material with tan backing. This product is still in production today. If someone is going with a tan roof, there is no tan short cobra grained material made in tan. Another issue arises as there are virtually no vinyl roof materials made with brown or tan linings. The only real product one can use is the tan stayfast cloth 3ply product, T-39 from Haartz. This is the material Lebaron and Bonney is currently using. Chevy did offer a roof made out of a 3 ply cloth that Haartz originally supplied to Chevy but that product is no longer available.

Eric has asked me to inquire with anyone who might have literature pertaining to the different top materials of the period. We have exhausted our leads with no definitive information.

Hope this info helps someone down the road with their cabriolets

Looks like you are having the same problem I am finding out info about top and interior details for my 1929 Cabriolet.

There is very little information available. I believe for the 29 and if you are going black, the top would be the black short cobra grained material which is kind of stiff and not flexible like the three layer stayfast cloth but it seems they used it on the cabriolets. My Olds, even though it's roof was redone at least once judging by the amount of nail holes in the bows, had a short cobra grain vinyl on it. The difference was it was kind of a maroon color and I assumed they added it when they painted the car yellow. I still have that roof material.

My 1929 parts book indicates black but no detail description. The seats, doors and side wall are all imitation leather (also black I believe). I was told once that the top material was some kind of impregnated cloth but I haven't verified that. I had a reference to the material trade name but I can't find or remember what that was. gotta keep looking.

Hi Ted.......I was at Dave Sylvain"s not so long ago. He had a couple of Cabriolet tops fabricated for restoration projects he was working on. He is very knowledgeable and may be able to help. I think his contact information is available through the VCCA.......if not send me a text...........

thanks bob, I'll send you a text