MTFCA Forum

Hello,
Even through I have a new top for my 1914 Touring I decided to repair the top that was on it and use it until I had time to put the new one on. Most of the time I have to put the top up and down by myself and I have noticed it puts a big strain on the fabric in a few key places and it is starting to rip. I believe the problem is how I am doing it. I was wondering if there is a step by step guide on how one person can put a 1914 touring top up and down on their own. Also...When the top is up I was wondering what the recommended method is to secure the little leather straps that are used to secure the top when it is folded. I have just been wrapping them up as tight as I can and pushing them into the saddle that holds the top when it is folded.
.
This would not be a problem if my garage door was taller....Now that the temperature is dropping I have been driving the car with the top up almost all the time and I have to take the top up and down just to put it away in the garage.
.
Thank you for your help.....Bryan

It may be that the top material is aged and shrunken. About all you can do in that case is to have the top as warm as possible when you put it up, and proceed slowly to allow time for wrinkles to stretch out. As for correct proceedure, I have no experience with T tops. An owner's manual might be of some help.

They are referred to a "TWO Man Top" for a reason - attempting to do it by yourself is asking for trouble & perhaps broken bows ! I also have a '14 Touring and wouldn't even think about doing it myself - grab a neighbor kid or wife, girlfriend, priest - someone !!!

Even a one man top is easier to fold with two men. Most important things are that both sides should be moved at the same time and not twisted when putting up and down. It can be done with one man, but if your paint is good, you risk having one end of the bow slip out and scratch the paint. You need to secure both ends with the clip or at least a large cotter pin before you let go of it, so if you have a person on each side you can use one hand for the bow and the other for the clip. I would recommend that you either leave the top down or leave it parked outside until you can find someone to help you. Even a nearby neighbor might be happy to help you. Especially if you give them a ride.
Norm

I did not know this was called a two man top and the dangers of putting it up and down with one person. I have done it by myself at least 50 times and each time I was very scared that one of my hands would slip and the top would twist and go crashing into the side of the body or fender. Is there some manual out there that shows the recommended procedure for putting this top up and down?
.
Any help would be appreciated...

You do not have to take the top down to put it in the garage. Just remove the two straps in the front. The top will drop down enough for you to get under the door. Put the car away, and put the top back up.

Norm is correct. You risk scratching the paint when you do it by yourself. It is not easy. I have put the top up from outside the car and I have done it standing in the back seat. Have some retaining pins in your pocket that you have opened up a bit with a pliers or something. Drop them in place and when the top is completely up, switch with the correct pins. Install the middle bow first and then the front bow. Once the top is up, I put the leather straps through the buckles, and use the last hole in the strap. I almost never have my top up. I prefer to drive with it down.
Put on a warm cap and you can continue driving with the top down, especially if you are bald like me.