Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

The last item on the to-do list on my 37 120 convertible coupe is to have her top installed. it turns out that the top had been replaced too many times leaving the mid-top bow's wood much too cavitated by previous nails to properly allow any new fasteners a surface to get a sufficient bite to ensure a good stretch fit that would not fail after repeated cycles.
I was not aware of this thinking that they could just use longer nails, silly me!
As you can see in the below image, the first leg of the attack was to mill away the ends that have been most chewed up.



This allows the bend in the bow to be kept while being able to clamp on new wood steamed and curved then laminated and clamped to those areas:




Here is the first layer after the clamps are removed:




The ends are built up to allow for the centre trough just as the original to have a counterbore area for the front and rear panels to overlap and be fastened without causing a lump in the roof line.




The bow is now ready to be installed back into the top mechanism:




It is seen above perched on the gate that keeps my friend and upholster's dog from leaving the premises!
I should have a shot of Greta with her new summer bonnet on shortly to share.
Bob J.