The Winslow mail., 1925-08-14
Great Care Is Used in
Overland Top Making

One of the most important parts
played in the manufacture and as
sembling of Overland automobiles
is that of the selection and cutting
of the materials used in construct
ting the tops for these cars, ac-
cording to w. w. Franklin, Over
land distributor for Navajo county.
Willys-Overland, Inc, is one of
the few companies in the antomo-
bile industry that manufactures
complete the tops used on all open
models, and the exceptionally
sturdy construction, coupled with
the utmost care in assembling,
have made friends by the score for
the covering that protects the occu-
pants of an Overland or WHY'S
knight in all kinds of weather.
From rough stock the bows which
form the framework of the top are
machined down to the exact size
and fitting for the bow sockets.
Assembled in a special jig, the
top form is then moved on to the
next operation, where the front
bow board, containing the special
windshield fastening fixtures are
attached, and then the top frame
work is ready to be covered. A lin
er which adds greatly to the rigid
ity of the top and which conceals
the top bows is then securely fast
ened in place with the side quar-
ter padding the next operation that
fills out the shape of the top sides
vs1x fo hn oh RI dir1Sr
of tailor's suit.
Willys-Overland's big top pro-
ducing division is constantly ex-
perimenting with ways and means
of eliminating waste of material,
that this saving may be passed on
to the purchaser of Overland open
cars. Astonishing savings of ma
terial and time are accomplished
in the modern cutting room, where
acknowledgements cutting ma
chimes sing along the paper pat
terms through fifty layers of top
material on the cutting table. An
unusual method is employed in
outlining the paper patterns. Small
pinholeS have been punched
through the paper pattern, and
bags containing specially pow
dered chalk are spread over the
patterns and onto the material
through these small apertures,
making the outline of the pattern
cuts.
An ingenious arrangement of the
peculiar patterns for various parts
of the tops of open models at Will
lvs-Overland provides that when
the cutters have passed over the
cutting table with it's fifty-ply ma
terial, 100 top backs, 200 gypsy
curtains, 200 quarter pieces, 100
top decks and 100 visors are turned
out ready for assembly on the top
proper.
Specially constructed sewing ma
chimes. run by experienced and
competent operators, piece togetn-
er the top material, which is made
of the best quality of waterproof
fabric, attach curtain fasteners
rear curtain lights and curtain
reinforcements, the special ma
chimes operating with capacity
of $500 stitches per minute. The
top coverings are then secured In
place over the completed tor
frame and attached to the bodies
on the assembly line.
The unusually rigid inspection OF
open model tops by Willys-Over'
land has resulted in purchasers
being assured of a well-made dura'
BILE and sturdy covering for theil
cars. The careful cutting of mate
rial and the careful fittings O
covering and framework parts as
sure top of long wear and fln'
service. Approximately 5000 top
for open models are turned ou
each month.