MTFCA Forum

I’m about to start the install of my Classtique two man top for my 1910 touring, and I was wondering if someone out there has installed one and has any suggestions. I’m particularly interested in how to install the front and rear leather straps during the install: I’m assuming they go on first, then the bows are tacked into position with the temporary wood strips? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

You mention temporary wood strips as though we should know about these. I have used my own in the past. Two short ones, tacked to the inside of the bow, fix the back bow in place at the correct height and with the correct set-back from the back body panel. Then two longer ones are tacked under bows one, two and three to hold each in position relative to the other. Bows two and three are vertical, and if the body irons are correct, the tops of the bows will be at the same distance from each other at the top sides. Check the crossways alignment at this stage to make sure each wooden bow is inserted into the socket to the same depth
Usually, this is the time the web straps, padded bags etc are installed, and your leather straps. If all is correctly fitted, when the wooden strips are removed, everything remains in place for fitting the top cover.

Hope this helps,
Allan from down under.

Set your bows with temporary straps or wood strips and get everything positioned before you fool with the leather straps Then see how your top fits. My guess you'll have some adjustments to make . One tip. Position the rearmost bow so that there is a continuous line from the rear of the body to the bow. Don't place it so there is a perfectly vertical rise on the back panel.

Ok so leather straps go on after the bows are secured with temporary wood strips. I’m still a bit confused about the rear bow position. From a profile view, shouldn’t there be a slight angle outward from the bottom of the rear panel to the top of the panel? Also, there is a working drawing of a model T two man top out there with all the dimensions for setting the bows: I know it shows a later style T with a two man top, but are any of the measurements applicable to my ‘10? If not, where can I find the correct measurements? Thanks again for the help!

Yes, a slight angle so there is a graceful line from the rear of the body to the rearmost bow. I assume your bows are installed in the sockets. Is the Classtique top pre-made? If so, your bows must conform to the dimensions of your top, so just try to get the rearmost bow positioned and the two center bows vertical, like Allen says, and the front bow extended to overlap your windshield a few inches. Hopefully the top will fit your bow positions .
FYI, the tops got progressively smaller, so don't rely on later dimensions to be accurate for your application. Just conform your bow positioning as described and you'll be fine. I'd be more concerned whether the top fits correctly.

One very important thing not mentioned above is the position of the rear bow above the top of the body panel. Do NOT measure from the floor, but from the rear of the back body. It must be the same distance on each side. The reason for this is because if the car leans a bit and you measure from the floor, the top will always look crooked. The top bow should lean in the same angle as the body that way it will always look straight.
Norm

Awesome! Thanks for all the help guys: much appreciated! I’ll update once the top is installed. BTW, yes, it is a Classtique top made for a 1910 touring.

Strap locations

Those pictures really help, Kim: thanks! But my rear straps have a black ring on the one end, so I’m guessing it attaches to the buggy rail supports on the back of the rail and doesn’t loop on itself like yours.

For what it's worth my '10 has adjustable straps like Kim shows. My '14 has the rings.

Wonderful that Kim was able to share those original photos of 1910 top installation. If you want an authentic/correct installation you should try to copy the installation of those straps both front and rear. The front panel which fixes to the underside of the front bow is also quite unique to the 1909/10 Models. Some of this detail that is unique to the early tops may have been overlooked in the supply of your your new top?

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29 ... 1204593956

This is for a 1909 but may be the same for 1910.

So I’m curious: what is rolled up under the front bow? Is it a flap to cover the gap between the windshield and top?

A roll down windshield in case you didn't get a metal/ glass windshield with your car.