Re: 1929 640 Phaeton top bow pattern

Posted by DavidM On 2015/11/28 2:35:51

This is how I set up my top bows using only the Packard drawing for the model.

The dimensions of the side elevation are at the centreline of the car and the drawings are to scale so redraw the views to the largest scale you can manage, full size would be best.

Then make a temporary rear bow using three pieces of wood to form the bow with square corners. The width is dictated by the width of the pivot points on the car. The height is scaled from the drawing and the rear projection viewed from the side must follow the sweep of the rear of the body. This has to be correct or the top will never look right. Set that up in position and spend whatever time is necessary so that when viewed from the side it is identical to the drawing. Fix it in position using the top hardware.

Then make a full sized template of the side view of the top profile from the rear bow to the the windshield scaled up from the drawing and temporarily fix it in position on the cars centreline. Mark off on the template the location of the other bows using the dimensions scaled from the drawing and make temporary square cornered bows for each location. The width of these bows can be developed from a combination of scaled dimension and the projection into the hardware.

There is a fair amount of trial and error required but with time it will be possible to obtain the required sizes of the final bows.

As you will know a perfectly made top which does not follow the correct profile will ruin the appearance of the car.

When the new bows are made make sure the trimmer does not pull them out of position when the top material is finally tensioned.

I hope that all makes sense.