Convertible frame parts are hard to find

Question:

Can you help me find parts for a 1958 convertible frame? I need the header bar, side rails and the bows. They are pretty much eaten up with rust.

Answer:

You don’t say what specific car you’re working on and that’s obviously relevant. If you have a 1958 Corvette then you can buy whatever top frame parts you need, or a complete reproduction top frame, from a number of different restoration

parts suppliers, including Crane Corvette Supply (http://www.cranescorvette.com). I’m not aware of anyone manufacturing complete reproduction top frame assemblies or major top frame parts for any other cars so if you don’t have a Corvette your task is more difficult. You’ll have to find good used parts, repair the damaged parts you already

own, or have the damaged parts fabricated. Good used parts are out there (try eBay, etc.) but they are quite rare and usually expensive as a result. Whether or not it’s feasible to repair your rusty parts depends on just how rusty they are. Whether or not it is feasible to replicate your original parts depends on how much money you’re willing to spend. There are skilled metal fabricators around who can do it but their time and skills don’t come cheap.