41 Cad canvas top replacement

[41CadJeremy]

Hello all, forgive me if this topic has already been covered - I did a quick search and came up with nothing. I'm looking to replace my canvas top on my 41. There are a few companies online selling them - does anyone have any good (or bad) experiences with any of them? I was thinking about buying the top and having a local upholstery shop install it. Of should I just let them source the top?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Jeremy,

I would be surprised if the fitter would allow you to purchase the top because if things didn't go well, he would have a way out by saying "well, you supplied the top so it must have been the wrong one"

If he purchases it, and something goes wrong, then he has to fix it at his own cost.

I realise that you are trying to save money, but sometimes it is not a good idea.

Bruce.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Are you looking for a nice looking top or a 100 point correct one??
Bob

[tcom2027]

A lot depends on how you answer Bobs' question.  If the car is featured on your avatar is that a custom  color?
 
I believe Bill hirsch has top kits for Cadillacs although his forte is Packard.  They provide tops for high end and exotic cars foreign and domestic  they should know the correct material, patterns and hardware to use for your car.

Lebaron-Bonney is no more so don't bother to research them. It's getting tougher and tougher for providers of parts, etc. for prewar cars. THe demographic has changed.

SInce you have an upholsterer in mind do it the way he wants to do it. If your top is original he can measure it and record the type and location of all the hardware and order it.  If he knows prewar cars, he'll know of Bill Hirsch.  Hirsch provides fabric and kits for all manner of exotic and classic american and European cars.

When I had the interior done on my'47 Custom Super Packard, I bought all the material from them.  It was exactly what I needed.  I gulped as i gave them my VISA card number when. When the car was finished I wasn't disappointed.
 
Hope this helps.

tony

[Abe Lugo]

If you find a shop that specializes in convertibles.  They might just make the top from scratch. 
If you have the original old top that is. 
But in the end, have the source and install. 
Most places cannot guarantee anything if they can't vouch for the top fabric.
Please post your results. 

I personally redid the rear top rack area on my 41, reglued fabrics, got new stack strip and stapled in the top.  I have not had a chance to steam it.  But work removed all the issues that were bugging me for years. 

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Jeremy,
I am very familiar with 41 tops. The BEST is Jenkins. However... they may be out of business due to the death of the owner. I suggest you follow up.
Bob

[35-709]

They're still in business
https://www.jenkins-interiors.com/

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Hirsch is out of the upholstery business. 

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

If they are still in business, Haartz (the owner), when I spoke with him years ago, still had a file cabinet of info relating to tops of that era. If he's still around, he might be able to help on a custom color. (I can't focus on that small a picture of your Avatar.) Good luck.

The late, and long time member Hollis Weighe had a '41 convertible I believe in your color. He named her "Alice." It had cloth seats as the starlet who received it as a gift complained to her "sponsor" that the leather seats hurt her legs when it was hot.

[tcom2027]

Haartz is still in business. THeir Stayfast material is one of the finest examples in the industry.


tony