Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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blitz67
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Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by blitz67 » Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:03 am

I have been looking for a correct canvas top for years now and no one seams to make it. Either the wrong color canvas and straps or the right color top and the wrong color straps. I have also been looking for seats and side curtains with no luck. I bought a top and seats from Beachwood and was extremely pissed off and disappointed, the color was akin to pea green baby poop and looks ridiculous! I can't find any seats either with the correct color and zippers, no point in even mentioning the fact that there are no springs to be had. It just seams odd that almost every single Jeep part has been reproduced correctly except the top and seats, oh also side curtains. Below is a picture of the top I bought from Beachwood. Notice the typical North Korean green color canvas straps, hideous!

Brad
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Farrell Fox
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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:46 am

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:59 am

When buying replacement canvas in the USA, the smaller the ad, the better the canvas.
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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:04 pm

Second only to the "Great OD paint Controversy" is the "Great Canvas Controversy".....no offense, but you didn't read much that has been posted I take it or you'd have heard a lot about pea-green canvas and North Korea Army colored straps.....that's been hashed over countless times. Those who buy that stuff are either fantasizing about prewar colors or like that it looks "combat-faded" or some other drivel. They tend to paint their vehicles "TAN" instead of OD so no wonder they dig that "khaki" looking canvas.

The short answer to your question is....NO....

However without Mr. Peabody's Way-Back Machine" you won't be able to ascertain what is "correct" for the actual jeep you owned on the day it rolled off the line.

We don't have the option for the chemicals used in WWII paint either by the way....so...

You are left with compromises on all fronts....
1) cured cattle hair (rubberized or not) isn't going to be found very easily
2) should yours have pockets? Does the rear have pockets?
3) Do the zippers close LF or RR or the rear to the L or R?
4) are the zippers TALON or some Chinese POS?
5) "S" type seat cushion/seatback springs are not available at Wallmart either
6) the "C" tips on straps may be available but are harder to find and cost more to "custom" fit to your straps
7) got the GREEN thread the straps are sewn on with or not?
8) are the metal buckles like the North & Judd ones?
9) does your top have herringbone twill edging or gimp/leatherette edging?
10) does it have the Push-Type top bow flap closures or the twist-type.

These are just a few of the things YOU need to research for your specific jeep mfger/serial number/DOD....from there you can call up the handful of canvas mfgers and see which features they have, what each will cost you and in the end....which ones aren't even available.

That's kinda where we are now....Lloyd White has a pretty good article covering all this but not the little details that constitue "correct" features.

By the way, these will set you back a cool Thousand...plus any taxes and shipping from Italy:
http://www.thelongolivedrabline.com/p/792/upholstery

If your jeep is a late war...then this is something you should consider!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:07 pm

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:27 pm

And Farrell, how do you rate your MB/GPW top when compared to those of the competition?
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:33 pm

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Aug 29, 2015 5:44 pm

blitz67 wrote:I have been looking for a correct canvas top for years now and no one seams to make it. Either the wrong color canvas and straps or the right color top and the wrong color straps. I have also been looking for seats and side curtains with no luck. I bought a top and seats from Beachwood and was extremely pissed off and disappointed, the color was akin to pea green baby poop and looks ridiculous! I can't find any seats either with the correct color and zippers, no point in even mentioning the fact that there are no springs to be had. It just seams odd that almost every single Jeep part has been reproduced correctly except the top and seats, oh also side curtains. Below is a picture of the top I bought from Beachwood. Notice the typical North Korean green color canvas straps, hideous!

Brad
_____________________________________________________________________________

You have my sentiments, Brad, Jeep collectors have noticed this for years, am surprised there are not many complaints like yours, but some are hesitant to admit they are disappointed.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:36 pm

I'm no expert on jeep canvas....but....
Just curious what the cost of materials using the items you illustrated would come to.... for say, a GPW and an MB? Mid/Late war five strap rear.

Sewing the GPW top with THREE sections fore and aft
Sewing the MB top with TWO sections side to side
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:46 pm

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by TonyStandefer » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:49 pm

Oh no you don't, I got dibs on Farrell's next top!
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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:52 pm

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:57 pm

Bring your GPW top to Tower Park this fall and I will bring my original FORD made top. Worth comparing side-by-side.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Farrell Fox » Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:03 pm

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Re: Does Anyone Make a Correct Canvas Top or Seats??

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:09 pm

Sounds like Old Age has struck another of us...!!!
Good Luck with the surgery....I think it's kind alike what my ex-F105 pilot that flew us on Lears, King Airs, Queen Aires, etc. used to say......."Any landing you can walk away from is a good one"....and in this case if you can walk, hobble or somehow get out of the hospital on your own after a hip job....good for ya!

Spring it is....
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


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