MTFCA Forum

My top is old but usable the only problem is that at high stress points some of the thread at the seams is getting pretty weak and breaking. In most places I have been able to reinforce these spots as I notice them and thus far everything is holding up. I do have one problem that I hoped you would have a good solution for. The back window came out. I have it and it is still good but I need an easy and durable way to put it back. I attempted to sew it back, matching hole to hole but quickly decided that climbing in and out of the car a thousand times to make all those stitches wasn't going to happen. I have thought about using snaps, chicago screws, even that mending tape that they advertise on TV. Any ideas. Like I said, the top is old and so perfection isn't important. I just want to close back up the hole.

What year touring?

Install accessory metal framed glass rear curtain "lights."

Below is a photo of my dad's 1917 touring with Hastings rear curtain lights (he installed the top in 1951).

In Australia, many of the T's built by different body builders in each state came with metal framed windows in the back curtain. these have a frame on the outside, then the curtain material, then the glass and these are sandwiched together by an inside frame which screws to the outside frame.
To my knowledge these frames are not reproduced but I have a couple in my swapmeet stocks. The size of the window hole in your curtain may not suit them.

Allan from down under.

I agree with Erik. This is my original 1924, the rear plastic windows had been replaced sometime in its life with accessory glass windows. In my case the rear window outlasted the top. The metal frames with glass are available NOS at many swap meets, Ebay, etc., and come in different sizes for the various window configuration changes for the model T body changes.

OR Find a saddle and harness maker in your area and see what they can do for you as far as sewing the original back in.

Thanks for your replies so far. I had thought about those Hastings windows but my top has a single window and it is larger than any that I have found so far. I will keep looking maybe, they did make something larger.

colonelpowers wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:07 pm

Thanks for your replies so far. I had thought about those Hastings windows but my top has a single window and it is larger than any that I have found so far. I will keep looking maybe, they did make something larger.

What dimensions would you need for a Hastings window? How big is the "window hole"?

How about find a friend, spouse, neighbor kid to push the needle and thread back inside with each stitch. It might take less time than coming up with another fix.

I don’t like “isinglass” sewn into long grain or copra top material. Indeed, I don’t know the difference in isinglass and clear plastic as offered today. Consequently I found a non Model T rear window metal frame, had it nickel plated and inserted real glass…whatta you think ?

Colonel: what is the rectangular dimensions of your top ‘single window’? I might have another metal frame that’ll fit.

I went out and measured the hole. The actual opening is 7 1/2 x 16 1/2. The stitching was in two rows. If you went to the outer stitch it would be 10 x 19 but I don't think that would necessarily have to be done. Anything larger than the hole itself would be great. I can always cut the hole to fit. Thanks again.

This is from the Sears Roebuck catalog from 1927. Whatever type of repair you decide to do it will probably be a 2 man job.