'69 Soft Top Frame Rust Restoration

[Matthew 69-2000]

Hello all,

I recently picked up a soft top frame online and it seems that the whole front bow has been rusted away. There still remains a small amount of metal in the original shape of the front bow but the use of sandpaper or grinding is out of the question for fear of destroying the remaining shape. I was wondering what method would be recommended for restoring this frame so I may put a soft top back on the car. My father had the idea of possibly filling the inside of the front bow with fiberglass and mimicking the shape of the front section but I'm not entirely sure that would be best. I am just looking for ideas on how to go about the restoration process. Attached below is a picture of the frame and the rust damage can be seen in the bottom right section of the image. The rust is similar all the way across the front section of the frame. Let me know what you all think.

Thanks!

https://www.flickr.com/people/65625524@N07/

[Datsun.David]

Bummer.

I think you are probably screwed... There is a fair bit of torque on a snug fitting top and I think you are probably better off shopping for a replacement bow. You don't have to buy the whole top frame, the bows are often available separately. With as much of the bow rotted away, I can't imagine it holding up to the stress of clamping it down for any length of time. If the bottom half of the bow isn't too bad, you might be able to use the remainder of the top half to make a template and weld a top half back on, but by the time you go to that trouble, you are probably better off looking for a new bow. Try Ross at Sports Imports (on the vendor list here) - or someone more local might chime in...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news... I have seen lots of mangled bows, but never one that bad...

[spl310]

I think that you can repair it.

[markjhatch]

I agree with David. That front bow is a goner. Have you checked the bow for a twist? With metal that thin, bet the bow is twisted and will not lay flat on the windshield frame. Filling that bow with fiberglass is not going to allow any correction of that twist.

Mark

[Matthew 69-2000]

Unfortunately I am not with the top currently but I will assume that the bow is most likely warped. I have been looking to source a replacement bow but I have come up empty handed as of now.

[spl310]

If you clamp it to the windshield frame, you can repair it and keep the correct curve.