C1 soft top frame bend near front bow

[Donald H.]

I'm getting ready to have my soft top installed. The frame is a restored original that I purchased from one of the well know companies that specialize in soft top frames and restoration. So I assume everything is as it should be.I have installed the frame in the car, and since it was very stiff, I was lubricating the articulation points this afternoon. I noticed that the short piece of frame that is screwed to the front bow has a slight bend that starts about 3" from the front bow. So, that front part of the frame is not flat. There is a bend on each side. However, the bend on the passenger side is more and enough so that the backing plate that the screws that attached the front bow is not flat against this frame piece. On the driver side, the plate is flat against the frame structure.

Difficult to explain, but I'm trying to determine if this bend is supposed to be in the frame at that point? If so, fine and I will take some of the bend out of the passenger side so that the backing plate is in the correct position.

Hopefully the pictures will better explain my questions.

Thanks,
Don

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 soft top frame bend near front bow

No bend. That comes from taking a really stiff top and pulling too hard to open it. Joe Calcagno did a Restorer article years ago on how to straighten them.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 soft top frame bend near front bow

No bend. That comes from taking a really stiff top and pulling too hard to open it. Joe Calcagno did a Restorer article years ago on how to straighten them.

Thanks, I found the article.