Prefect from austria-headliner bows

[thomas_e493a]

Hello!

I'm currently fixing up a 1951 e493a Prefect, wich here in Austria is quite a rare thing.

The whole bottom is sandblasted and the drivetrain is already fixed (has a 100e Anglia engine bolted to the original transmission) and runs great.

Currently i am making the first steps on the interior, just starting to cut new headliner bows from ash.

I saw some pictures where small metal bows were bolted to the side of the roof and the wooden bows, did all have these? I don't have any there, only the 6 metal rods with the full width.

What material would be the best option for the headliner? I found vinyl or cloth versions available. As nothing was left from the original i will need a pre cut and sewn one.

Thanks for any help and sugestions.

Thomas

 

[waltesefalcon]

I imagine that mohair was originally used.

You might search for Bayless, he has been restoring a Prefect.

 

[Bayless]

Wow, I am excited to see another Prefect owner actually here on BCF. That makes three of us now. If we keep this up we will surely outnumber those MG owners. First some history though. How did you acquire it and when? These little jewels are quite rare here too (Oklahoma, USA) Mine also has a 100e Prefect engine bolted to the original gearbox and it was an improvement, very necessary in my case. Your photos look like a pretty solid car. My bows appear to be either ash or oak, not sure which. And yes, there should be wires from the lower roof line curved to conform to under the roof that end just at the end of the wood bows. I'm pretty sure I have photos and will post when I locate. In your second photo, I think I see the holes below what looks like the mount point for the wood bows, where the wires were attached with a bolt or screw through a loop in the wire.

As for a headliner, I believe Walt was right in guessing mohair, or more likely a cheaper substitute. I originally tried to make one from a thin vinyl that was a complete disaster. Next I found a nice heavy double knit that was at least a suitable substitute for mohair. Being stretchy, it fit perfectly. I now have a modern fabric that I plan to use if I ever get to that point. Also, I think cloth would certainly be more appropriate than vinyl. I believe Small Ford Spares, in England, has a complete headliner available. There is a quite active club in England, the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club or FSOC. They claim to have lots of replacement parts but will not sell them on this continent. We have a few sources here but I suspect there are more in England.

 

[thomas_e493a]

Thanks a lot already for the help!

I know the history of it starting in 1969- where it sat unsold at a dealer and was destined to go to the scrap yard. The apprentice asked if he could have it, and then it sat at the dealer for some time where they drove it around, forgot to check oil and blew the engine up. Then they had an 100e engine laying around and in it went. It then sat from around mid 80´s and was then sold in 2000 and then the new owner wanted to turn it into an Hotrod. He luckily never got to it and he put it on Facebook Marketplace where i got it. The battery had the fill Date from december 1972. In our area we only got salt from the late 80´s so it never drove on salt and therefore i only had 2 minor holes to patch. Although it is only brush painted the exterior is in really nice shape and will stay as is.

I noticed the holes as well, thats what made me think about them, i would realy appreciate pictures of the small bows to make some new ones.


For the headliner i found two options:

Brief Shipping Info | Small Ford Spares

<p>Ready to fit cloth headlining kit for Prefect models 40-53, with enough extra material for covering visors etc. choice of colour fawn and grey.</p>

www.smallfordspares.co.uk

Classic Ford Carpets for many classic vehicles

Somewhere i read that there were versions with 5 or 6 bows, mine had 6 in the car.

Not shure wich one i should take, the one from Small ford spares wasn´t available for quite a long time but i have always been happy with the service and the parts.

I already tried to contact the FSOC some time ago but they never replyed.

 

[Bayless]

That's quite a bit of history for a car you just recently owned, and interesting too. I know little about mine before I got it. It was given to me in 1962. My friend won it in a poker game and asked me to help him get it home. It was in a salvage yard, sunk into sand up to its frame. We took it it his parent's back yard. A few months later he offered it to me if I would just go get it. Meanwhile, these are the best photos I have found but I can easily get more detail for you if it will help.

 

[thomas_e493a]

Thats also awesome how you got it. Thanks a lot- the pictures really help me, now i can meke some replacements.

 

[algot1901]

Hello!

I'm currently fixing up a 1951 e493a Prefect, wich here in Austria is quite a rare thing.

The whole bottom is sandblasted and the drivetrain is already fixed (has a 100e Anglia engine bolted to the original transmission) and runs great.

Currently i am making the first steps on the interior, just starting to cut new headliner bows from ash.

I saw some pictures where small metal bows were bolted to the side of the roof and the wooden bows, did all have these? I don't have any there, only the 6 metal rods with the full width.

What material would be the best option for the headliner? I found vinyl or cloth versions available. As nothing was left from the original i will need a pre cut and sewn one.

Thanks for any help and sugestions.

Thomas

Here is a link for your headliner, it will come from the USA, also, the FSOC does have a lot of spares it would be wise to join them as that is the only you will get any help well worth the money. Also, I am told it is a time saver if you put the headliner in before you do the roof
Jim

1949-51 Ford Prefect 4Dr Sedan Bow Style Auto Headliner | eBay

Newark Auto has made quality, durable auto flooring and accessories in the USA for over 115 years. A leading manufacturer of auto carpets and mats since 1907. © 2024 Newark Auto. Bow-Style Headliners Carpet Kits Floor Mats Other.

www.ebay.com