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

Barry,

I know some French, how to French a bone, and how to French kiss, but what the heck is a Frenched convertible top/window?

A French seam has triple stitching, but does that have anything to do with what you're referring to?

You mention having 2 photos, one with, one without. Could you take a photo of them and post it?

I'd like to learn about this, because I'm heading to Pebble Beach next month and having an insider detail like that could be a great addition to my Phrase-droppers Handbook. "The 734 may win, but to be really correct, the rear window should be Frenched." Like that.

Thanks,
Joe

J - cant tell u who came up with the term in Body Work or Uph. but it means to HIDE or ELIMINATE the Surround. If u have any contact with custom cars of the 50s u might have heard FRENCHING THE HEADLIGHTS or TAILLIGHTS which means eliminating the Bezel (sheet metal to glass). In this case of the rear window it means hiding the Frame via wrapping the top material around the frame. As far as i can piece it together production open PACKARDs started doing it in '32 thru '34; TWELVES got it on the inside as well using another panel. U see a few other manufactures doing it also as well as Custom Bodies. DIETRICH like to do it on his stuff. Up until a few weeks ago i never thought about '35 up Ph. With the one photo of a 35 conv sed. i figured they got FRENCHED and a photo of a 35 Conv Coupe i figured they did NOT. After taking a good look at the photo i have of the 35 CS im thinking its a Proto so now im having second thoughts about production CS getting FRENCHED.

Just helped an Uph. with info on a 734 so pretty sure they all had exposed window frames.

See u at PEBBLE. Taking a '39 FORMAL.

Give me a yell if any questions - BARRY 801 971 1934

You're right. I found a couple of pictures appearing to have the concealed frame. They are Dietrich styled convertibles from 1932.

So is the frame you have plated or not?