TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat May 01, 2004 7:30 pm

has anyone found an outfit that makes a decent wood header bow, rear bow, and tack strip? M+T claims to, as well as chuck's. any input?

Sat May 01, 2004 7:54 pm

I bought my set from M&T. Very satisfied.

Sun May 02, 2004 11:23 am

Hi John,

You might try calling Steve Shepp at: 206-625-9398 He has done a lot of Ghia convertible tops and does really nice work. He could tell you what has worked best for him.

Sorry I missed you saturday. Maybe we can shoot for next saturday morning. I'll give you a shout.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

Tue May 04, 2004 6:41 pm

how about KG parts + restoration in ventura, calf. they have in their catalog both orig.(reproduction) wood CV header bows - but almost $300 than there is also repro.synthetic at almost $200 - which is probably a better way to go than wood. the same header bow fits 1958 thru 1969.

Tue May 04, 2004 7:08 pm

garyrowland wrote: how about KG parts + restoration in ventura, calf. they have in their catalog both orig.(reproduction) wood CV header bows - but almost $300 than there is also repro.synthetic at almost $200 - which is probably a better way to go than wood. the same header bow fits 1958 thru 1969.

Synthetic bows have a bad reputation. They have been accused of not holding staples as well as wood. Ihave no first hand knowledge of this one way or the other, but the general opinion seems to be that real wood is worth the premium.

I have also heard that M&T manufactures the bows for most of the other suppliers. A guy that used to work there is here on the Samba and talked about how they make them once.

Tue May 04, 2004 7:43 pm

Synthetic bows are crap. Hardwood bows are the best. I had a set for a 1966 I was restoring and I laquered the hell out of them. I sanded them between coats with both steel wool and liquid sand. I put about 20 coats on them, and now some lucky guy in Reno is benefitting from them. If you laquer them they won't be prone to rotting. Synthetic bows don't hold the staples well and are prone to flexing.

Tue May 04, 2004 8:17 pm

I agree, go with the real wood bows.
I use numerous coats of Thompson's Water Seal or the like
before they get installed.

Thu May 06, 2004 2:14 pm

There is a seller on Ebay who sells top bows. I think the seller name is theritopper. I purchased a bow from them, and it is very good quality.
They have been offering some pretty cheap deals as well.
Mark

Fri May 07, 2004 9:27 am

steve shepp in seattle recommended chuck's convertible parts for the wood bows. steve does awesome upholstery work, so i guess it's time to bite the bullet. thanks for the suggestions.

Fri May 07, 2004 11:26 am

I have seen synth-wood bows simply snap apart. I would avoid them as well.

What ever happened to the guild in Long Beach? They made great wood bows.

Fri May 07, 2004 4:51 pm

My bows had come from The Guild. They were works of art. I am not sure if they're still around anymore.

Thu May 20, 2004 7:43 am

I have just ordered replacement wood bows for the restoration of my 1964 Karmnn Ghia Convertible ( pictures can be seen in the gallery)
I have tracked down and ordered them from The guild. This place is mentioned in all the best restoration of Karmann ghia convertibles. I have e mailed David Wright ( I think he is the owner) and have had a very friendly and warm service. I am looking forward to the replacement wood arriving in the UK soon. I will post pictures when the roof is being replaced.
a link to the guild website is :-
http://www.convertiblespecialties.com

Very friendly service. :D

Thu May 20, 2004 11:14 am

i found that the bows i got from chuck's actually come from the guild, so i guess i did ok, other than the middleman markup. they do look nice.