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

Carl24 wrote:
There is never a gap like this between Window Frame and Front Bow. And right, its warped .. because ... it?s wood. I saw this kind of warped wood front bow over the years a couple times.
The reasons are different .. they are made not for 80 years. And sometimes they are not strong enough if they are not made by multiple layer of wood where the woodgrain is glued in different ways. The reason for this kind of gap is the power which pulled by the strong conv.fabric on the top bow. Specially if the bow is fixed only on the outsides of the window frame. Over the years the wood front bow gets wet and dry ... and ... wet and dry and always the fabric is pulling on the front bow. This could be aggravated by a bad work of the Upholsterer ... if he worked not precise enough if he sewing together the middle and outside parts and then he try to pull out the wrinkles over the front bow... so .. an additional power pulls on the front bow because the fabric is to much stretched. And if he used an cheap Fabric material ... the rubber insert will shrink .. like cheap material do it sometimes ... and a lot of power lift over the years the middle of the front bow .. because ..the ends are fixed on the outside of the Window frame. And then the front bow looks like yours. To fix a problem like this is ... to fill up the gap by wood pieces which fit exact into the gap. I use therefore long-time stored ash. Cut it in the right thickness (like the furthest distance of the gap) and glue it on place with PU wood glue (like waterproofed Titebond .. purple bottle). There is a little bit work on it now to bring it on the right shape that it fits without a gap on the window frame but it's the only way to do it right and install the weather sealer on the right place. Hope my lousy English make understanding what I try to explain.
Karl

flackmaster wrote:
This is not much more than a Saturday project for someone with reasonable skills and tools. Most importantly a bandsaw to follow the curve of the upper windshield bar.

David Patla wrote:

My car was a partially disassembled basket case when I got it and a question I have for you is on the metal bow attachment bolts. I'm missing them and they look to me that they were 1/2-13 bolts threaded about a half inch below the hex head, then just a straight shaft thru the bow and into the mounting bracket? If this is correct I'm going to have them made unless anyone knows where I can obtain a couple?
Thanks
Dave