Re: 1937 top replacement questions

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/3/2 13:35:25

When I first glanced at your post I thought you were speaking of a convertible top but I now think it's a closed car rubber roof insert you're speaking of. The material itself is rubberized cloth sold by Restoration Supply; most Packards used the "Colonial Long Grain" pattern but I can't assure you that yours did, a short grain is also available. Sealant of your choice, either rubber-based or silicone. The molding has proven to be quite a problem for restorers, it was usually extruded aluminum, both straight sections and curved angle pieces for the corners. The surface profile varied a bit from year to year and model to model. On mine it's held down with small wood screws, the heads of which are then covered with sealant. I know of no source for the molding so you'll probably have to improvise and make something unless someone else has more current news of something available.

As you remove the old roofing fabric you've got to keep your fingers crossed that it hasn't leaked enough over the years to cause rot damage to the wood understructure. If it was ignored for long and did suffer damage, you're in for a tedious job. Good luck.