top of page

To the Rear...

Another complicated area in the wood structure is the rear window area and belt rails. These are referred to as REAR WINDOW FRAME and REAR BELT RAIL ASSEMBLY.


The frame is mated to the upper ROOF RAIL REAR ASSEMBLY and the REAR BELT RAIL by means of strainers.The rear glass sits in the oval. The rear upper back sheet metal is formed to fit this oval and then a bentwood strip is nailed in to hold the glass in place.

It is impossible to get all of the rear framing in the shot as it is quite a large assembly and my space is severely cramped.

Above is the upper REAR ROOF RAIL ASSEMBLY with the 2 ends replicated from one broken surviving original. These will need to be tweaked at the upper sheet metal is placed upon it to make sure all the wood forms the way it should.


This little bracket is for a corresponding piece of angled metal that is attached to the rear seat back framing.


This is the passenger side corner piece of the REAR BELT RAIL ASSEMBLY. It is attached to the QUARTER PILLAR with one screw from the top and two screws from the bottom, all counter-sunk. In the photo below, you can see the two bottom screw holes.


This is the bentwood hoop for the rear oval glass. it will be covered with fabric and then nailed in place against the glass. It is beveled slightly on one side.


This is the rear glass. It is crudely rough cut and the edge is unpolished.

Above is the previously mentioned angled metal piece that slips into the bracket on the REAR BELT RAIL ASSEMBLY.


The last picture shows all of the components assembled upright. This is before any restoration work was completed as you can see the wood has lost paint or been painted a different color in some areas. The two upper corners are broken and one missing. The upper REAR ROOF RAIL ASSEMBLY is slightly curved. The FRONT HEADER above the windshield at the front of the car is flat, so there is some sleight-of-hand going on somewhere as the corner pieces dip just a little and then rise again on the side for the ROOF RAILS proper down each side of the car. You will also notice the row of nail marks on the upper wood signifying where the headliner was nailed as it appears in a straight line.


The REAR LOWER STRAINER is also in place (it's the single piece of wood pointing down in the middle of the white sheet). It is attached in an angled notch behind the metal bracket. There was only one strainer. Many restorations show multiple strainers (up to three), but the assembly you see here is EXACTLY as drawn in the 1927 Ford Parts Book. There were no attachment points for any additional strainers. This particular strainer will have to be reconstructed as the lower portion where it attaches with 2 screws into the lower rear seat box back is rotted off. In a Fordor Sedan, this piece forms part of the rest for the rear seat back springs. Not so in a Center Door.

Recent Posts

See All

My Blog Continues....

If you've reached this page, please continue the adventure with me at: https://army30th.wixsite.com/centerdoor-ii

Comments


bottom of page