Restoring a Top Hat

[Zetomagneto]

I didn't mention Furflex and Hidem Banding as well 

I did find Tapestry seat covering material underneath the Grannies old settee material in my RK, should have taken a photo I suppose......

Parazine - back to the chassis - as usual Nick Turley gives very good advice.  I'd like a dollar for every time I've come across repaired cracks in the same place as yours on the earlier chasses, or cracks that needed repair.   This problem was only solved by Austin when he extended (in mid-'28-on)  the vertical lips (on the flanges) further forward to about 6" ahead of the cross member.  If you're not fussed too much with originality you can always box that area underneath, where it's not normally seen.  Good Luck with the straightening, but suggest you have at least one helper, even if only to hold the torch whilst you're rivetting.  Good Luck,  Cheers,  Bill

Parazine - another thought - looking again at your early photo, I hope you're not checking the straightness or otherwise with that plank?  As Martin Prior will tell you, long boards warp and twist.  Better to align the machined edge with the rail.  Cheers, Bill

Bill, you can see clearly without the board this chassis is bent, also there is a clear kink next to the crossmember