Era Replica Automobiles 427 ROADSTER, Assembly And Service Manual

Page: 141 / 165

SECTION G - BODY/INTERIOR
141
SIDE CURTAINS
If your top has not already been fit, the windshield angle
may be matched to fit the front edge of the side curtain.
Once the windshield angle has been determined, the top
may installed to fit. If you intend to install side curtains in
the future, E.R.A. can supply a
template to duplicate the
correct angle, or use an angle gage to set the glass angle at
the center of the windshield to 43 degrees above
horizontal – assuming the car is level of course.
If the top has been fit, the windshield angle may effect the
fit of the side curtain front glazing. The front edge of the
curtain may have to be trimmed. See below.
The door must be open wide to install the side curtain
pins into the door ferrules. Trial fit each curtain to the
door.
If the pins do not match the sockets, it may be
necessary to “tweak” the pins or elongate the fiberglass
holes in the door so that the body ferrules can shift
slightly:
If the pins are not parallel to each other, bend them
with pliers, etc.
If bending the pins doesn’t solve the problem:
Remove the center ferrule by removing the circlips.
This will make checking fit of the outside pins easier.
(The center pin can be fit afterward.)
Use a round file to elongate the holes in the door skin
and inner panel as needed. Don’t make the holes
uniformly larger in diameter. Oval them in-line with
the other pins, so that the curtain frame will not rock.
Once all the pins fit in the outside ferrules, repeat the
process for the center one. Replace the circlips.
Install each side curtain on the door and close the door
carefully. If the side tilt of the curtain does not match
the side of the windshield frame, carefully bend the
curtain in or out as necessary.
TRIMMING THE FRONT EDGE:
The top corner of the Plexiglas may have to be
matched to the windshield frame. Peal the fabric back
from the frame as necessary and trim the sides with a
hacksaw. (To prevent scratching, mask off the
Plexiglas.) Saw the excess material from the top edge
of the frame and bend down to match the sides.
The Plexiglas can be shaped to match with a bandsaw
or with careful grinding. Finish with a sanding block
and wet 180 or 220 grit paper.
Trim and re-glue the fabric to the frame.
FITTING THE TONNEAU COVER
Stretch the cover over the snaps. Starting in the middle
snap in the front, mark and install the snaps as described
above for the top.