1954 to 1958 door tops

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Spent the day yesterday with a New Zeland Enthusiast "Leon". While inspecting one example of an ex-SMHEC 88" he commented on it's having the correct door-tops with the little triangular drain holes.

Having just returned from Paxina he was wondering why all the 88" he viewed had 1954/55 door tops.

So here's the question how many people with 88" or 109" have the correct door tops on their vehicles?

Diana

[101RRS]

Ok - I didn't appreciate there was a difference except for maybe a change from perspex to glass for the windows and am not sure of this.

So what are the differences - any pics?

Garry

[Lotz-A-Landies]

On the gal frame just below the window opening at each end there are little triangular holes to drain the water. These are not present on the 86/107 door-tops.

Not a good image but you can see the rear drain in this crop from a larger image.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/552.jpg

[numpty]

I will have to check the 3 sets I have when I go home tomorrow.

[101RRS]

Thanks Diana - just checked the doors on my two 88s - all triangles as is my spare set of doors.

They are glazed with a mix of perspex and glass.

Garry

[digger]

My '56 has, as far as I can tell, the original door top on passenger side,
and a "located" door top on drivers side. Both have > shaped drains..

23807

drivers door (white panel)

23808

passenger door (green paint)

23809

drivers door, inside window channel, rear edge of door, (drain situated towards the inner of door channel)

so does anyone have anything else??

Digger

[B.S.F.]

Another difference is on the inside.The vertical bit of the galvanised part that holds the bottom window channel is about 1 1/2" wide on a 88/109 door top, on a 86/107 it's only about 5/16" .

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks Diana - just checked the doors on my two 88s - all triangles as is my spare set of doors.

They are glazed with a mix of perspex and glass.

GarryGarry

I think you are correct. The 88/109 doortops were glazed for the fixed pane where the 86/107 had perspex for the fixed and sliding panels. Would bot be sure about the 107 wagons although I suspect that the model year would be the ruling factor rather than the wheelbase.
Another difference is on the inside.The vertical bit of the galvanised part that holds the bottom window channel is about 1 1/2" wide on a 88/109 door top, on a 86/107 it's only about 5/16" .The wider chanel at the back was to act as a gutter, the water overflowed the Bailey chanel, run into the gutter and out of the door at each end.

Great idea. :)

What ever possessed them a couple of years later to then design a system where the water seeped through the Bailey channel into the unpainted inside of the Series II/IIa doortops! :mad: :mad:

[Tote]

Checked mine out, the 107 has perspex for both panes and has holes. 86 has fixed panes with glass and holes.

Regards,
Tote

[dreamin']

I have two 1955 86s, and pair of doors from a third, all with fixed glass and sliding perspex windows.

Another thing - stripping Arfa down for rebuild I had a real struggle to get the doors off. Then read something in my owner or workshop manual that suggested doors only supposed to lift off when top section is removed.

Is this right?

[101RRS]

Another thing - stripping Arfa down for rebuild I had a real struggle to get the doors off. Then read something in my owner or workshop manual that suggested doors only supposed to lift off when top section is removed.

Is this right?

Nope - doors come off in one piece but they have to be open past the 90 degree open position. If you check the mounting bracket there is a piece that stops them coming off when in the normal operating angles but when opened right up they just lift up.

Garry

[dennisS1]

It is my opinion that the date has little to do with this. Several of the above statements are in error, only the early 86 and 107 have dual plastic panes.
The drain holes are on the outside when the second bit that holds the window lock is on the door thus blocking the internal drain holes.
Thus I think any car that had door locks fitted ie my 1956 107" Ute and 1957 wagon both have the external drain holes. But my 1955 86" sold as a soft-top has internal drain holes all of the above have glass front panels in the door top and are original doors. I do not have access to a factory 86" wagon but some pics that I have seen clearly show the external holes.
It looks to be that at some stage may be the change to 88" this type of door was used even if door locks where not fitted.
As I would think these holes are for the Galvanising process inside or out was not important.
As a further point I do have a very early 1954 107 Ute that had all plastic windows and no door or window locks thus no external holes.
Dennis

[dreamin']

Nope - doors come off in one piece but they have to be open past the 90 degree open position. If you check the mounting bracket there is a piece that stops them coming off when in the normal operating angles but when opened right up they just lift up.

Garry

Thanks - had them open all the way. Maybe the hinges were a bit bent - I had to tap the pins out with a drift. Was starting to worry I had done more damage by forcing them. Thanks for clearing it up.

[barry2]

The 1956 SWB Hardtop we have has 4 triangular drain holes, 2 inside and 2 outside on both doors. It is fitted with window locks as well as door locks and has fixed glass side windows with perspex sliding windows.
This vehicle is a one owner and is completely original except for the perspex sliding windows being replaced as the originals were no longer very transparent.
The doors lift off when fully opened as I think all 86" and 88" Series 1's do- not sure if 80" are similar when the door tops are on.
The one they used in the movie "the Gods must be crazy" must have had modified hinges to be able to be lifted off in the closed position!

[dennisS1]

What a great show and such a great reference for S1's.
Watch it on a good big screen and pick the faults with the 1 hanging in the tree, looks like S2 firewall, frame to hold wheels on, lights moved on wings etc.
Dennis