VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 30 Roadster top bows

Need some help finding the inside measurements of the Bows for this top. Mine are Front 48" Middle 52 7/8" Rear 51" And would 29 Roadster bows fit the 30 Roadster.

Hi Leo,
The measurements probably started out about the same, but over the years heat and cold, moisture, etc. causes distortion. If you are going to replace them an average of the three readings would be close or the distance across from one attach point at the body to the other is a fairly good indication. For new bow sources I provided addresses for John Bourinakis and Kim Dawson in the 1912-1928 section on June 18 under " Need '26 Parts ". The 29 bows might or might not fit but old bows are usually junk anyway.
Herb

Herb, Thanks for the reply. When I bought the car the front and rear bows were junk. I had the two replacements that came with it and they were the same so I laid the new ones on the old ones and installed the brackets to the front one and also the pilot holes for the screws. Set it up on the car, but the fittings at the windshield gave me a fit.when I measured the bow inside to the windshield I had 3" on the drivers side and 4" on the passenger side. The rt side of the bow where it attaches to the iron was an inch to long. I moved the bow back and it works great, all thats left is to remove it and re-trim the end and I think the problem with the front bow is resolved.Since my last post I did get some measurements from a fellow in New Jersey and his bows and also the spare set he has are all within 1/4" to 1" or so from my bows.Before I have the top installed I will check out his spare set and compare them to mine. I will be back with another post to let you know how this plays out.

Hi Again Leo,
I guess we often feel like the last guy on the planet when we tackle one of these jobs. On my roadster someone before me had taken a torch to the windshield posts and bent them back about 10 degrees ALA Model A Fjord ( Sorry Bill B ) and then hacked up the irons and bows to compensate. Fortunately I was able to get things pretty well straightened out before investing a couple of grand in new canvas. Keep us posted.
Herb

leo,

let me know if there are any measurements I could provide you off ours...


epi

Hi Folks,
Did my thing and checked out the spare set of bows and the set that were on his Roadster and the conclusion was that they were within 1/4" and 3/4" and as some one said that it was not unusual to see them that way. At this point I will go with what I have. Thanks for your help.