At this moment my 70 cutlass has a vinyl top. I cant make up my mind. Question is vinyl or no vinyl???? Also would like to hear from anybody who might have converted to a non vinyl top. Was it a pain to convert??, did the chrome window trim still work with out the vinyl top???

Also before I get scolded let me just say that my cutlass is no where near numbers matching or unique (442,W-machine)... I know in some cases it can be sacrilegious to remove a vinyl top on a unique car.

To be or not to be???? That is the question!!!!

 

Some colors look good with vinyl, some look good without. It's your personal taste, and you did not say what colors we are talking about. Also, "s" or supreme - that makes a difference, as the supreme has the "halo" vinyl top as opposed to the Cutlass S. If you go no vinyl, just make sure the body work is done properly as to leave no evidence!

 

Like mentioned, it is a personal choice. I think the supremes look good with them on. The "S" body style can go either way. My Supreme had the vinyl removed by the previous owner. I am going to put it back on the car. I like the contrast in color. Is it an outside car or garaged? Wet climate or dry? These may also play in your decision. Hopefully if you do remove it, you won't find any hidden suprises (rust). Good Luck...

 

Very interesting rebuttal, I was referring to the S model cutlass or fastback. My cutlass is not garaged but does sit in a mostly dry climate (California sunshine). as far as colors I still have a long way to go before my cutlass is painted. I agree with you hinz fast backs do look good either way top or no top.Thats why I am having such a tuff time choosing. I am pretty sure there is a surprise for me under all that vinyl.

 

As mentioned, it is a personal choice. I have 4 Cutlasses. The 1967 and the 87 both have and need. Both my 70's do not have. Vinyl traps moisture of any kind and rots metal.Catch 22! May look good and period correct but rots the car!

Ted

 

The california sun is hard on vinyl tops and we get enough rain even in california to cause problems.

 

We all like different things. The only vinyl top for me folds away and is commonly known as a convertible. Otherwise I prefer to not have a vinyl top.

 

Black vinyl looks fantastic. The contrast can really make the car pop and lots of guys remove them so when you see one with vinyl it looks unique and really stands out.

 

I also debated on whether to go back with a vinyl or not on my 72 442. I even went so far as grind down the body studs for the vinyl moldings. I then decide after I had done all that, that I did want the vinyl top. I kept the original color which is bamboo and I put on a black vinyl top. I think the black vinyl kind of set that color off. It previously had a brown/tan vinyl,

 

If you removed the body studs, how did you attach the molding clips when you reinstalled your vinyl. The previous owner of my Supreme removed mine and I'd like to put it back on,but I'm not sure how to go about it. For the amount of foul weather my car see's, moisture shouldn't be a problem.

 

I used small screws. I was advised to use them by an upholstry shop.The screws were very small and what I did also, I put epoxy primer on the screw to prevent possible rust.I also pressed window sealant
which I believe is called mastic rope into the holes to seal. I had a role of it from when the window company came out and installed my front and rear windows.

 

Very good points. My cutlass no longer has a vynl top and there was a rust surprise but nothing too extreme.

 

I like no vinyl on fast backs vinyl on the supremes. But it is personal taste! I have seen plenty of supremes without the vinyl top that look great. I also think a bamboo car looks incredible with a black or gold vinyl top whether its a fastback or not.

 

I love red fast backs with black tops.

 

I think my favorite is black over gold. I think black is the only color vinyl top I would consider and only if the car were kept indoors all the time. As many have said, it is a matter of preference as it was for the original owner.

 

I agree certain color tops I can't stand.

 

My 67 is 2 tone with a pearl white painted roof.

 

I like light metallic colors with black vinyl tops (silver, nassau blue, palomino gold etc.). I don't care for them on dark solid colored cars with the exception of a black car with black vinyl.

 

Non vinyl top for me but it is the package that makes the car look good or not.
Car stance, tire and wheels, color and type of stripes if any. Body color and interior color. Type of paint and quality of work and condition of the bright work/trim.
These all play a roll.
Its not hard to do a vinyl roof delete if you do it at the time of a repaint. The drip rail trim should be replaced with a non vinyl roof rail as it will be over stretched from having the vinyl under the trim. Other than welding a few holes shut . There might be a little more body work in the sail panel area as the vinyl cars may have not been finished to the same level as non vinyl roof cars. You will have to clean the glue off the roof as well.
Good luck

 

Another option is to leave the vinyl roof trim and just paint the roof black or white. This was actually an option that you don't see much of. It was typically seen on post cars.

 

My Vista Cruiser has a black vinyl top. Must have been done professionally as it looks perfect. I don't think it was a factory option. I like it though.

Loweredandfrontendrebuilt12-1-12002.jpg

 

I think the 68-72 S coupes, 69 camaro, 69 chevelle, and 70-72 cuda/challenger are the only muscle cars that look good with the vinyl tops. Did anyone see the `70 twilight blue with blue top on ebay? Awesome. Will be your choice ultimately so pick your colors wisely. BTW you can install new studs if any are missing with an attachment for a body stud welder. But the studs are a real pain to do bodywork around. Literally painful. Tell us what colors you were planning on?

 

i would go no vinyl top. all they do cause the roof to rust. look at pics of my car for the proof.

 

That is a very nice looking wagon. I would bet the vinyl roof is dealer installed. It looks great.

 

The best thing you can do to prevent a vinyl roof from causing rust problems is to prep and paint the roof underneath of it properly. Vinyl roof cars didn't exactly get the best layer of protection underneath from the factory. If you prep it correctly underneath and take care of it as most do with a collector car it will never be a problem.

 

Thanks redoldsman. Never thought of a dealer installed top. Although, this wagon has been repainted and the interior professionally dyed, I suspect the top was probably installed in the early to mid 2000's when that work was being done.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head! That's exactly how I feel about it too. My car never had vinyl, but I have all the trim ready for it to go on. With today's sealants and glues, just make sure the surface is well prepped. When I wash my car, I also use compressed air to blow water out from behind trim, window sweeps and mirror pods. You'd be surprised how much stuff comes out from what looks to be 'dry'.

Very novel looking!

More popular way is rivets. Just coat the drill holes as you stated, and pop those trim clips in with a rivet gun. Quick, easy and nice tight fit.

 

Bamboo with Black Vinyl. This what it looked like after I put it on. I think a vinyl top is strickly ones preference. The top that was on here orginally was brown. I do believe it was the original one. There was absolutely no rust when I took the top off. I also had one heck of a time removing that top

 

another picture of the vinyl top

 

She's a beauty! Nice job

 

nice... *post pic here*

 

x2

 

Its not hard to do a vinyl roof delete if you do it at the time of a repaint. The drip rail trim should be replaced with a non vinyl roof rail as it will be over stretched from having the vinyl under the trim. Other than welding a few holes shut . There might be a little more body work in the sail panel area as the vinyl cars may have not been finished to the same level as non vinyl roof cars. You will have to clean the glue off the roof as well.
Good luck[/QUOTE]

The glue is a major pain. I sanded it off but it clumps up pretty bad.

 

Thats the best looking vista cruiser I have seen.

 

I agree . my vinyl top had been redone and there was still water rust damage pretty bad under it.

 

One of the " discoveries " on my 67 442 , after a chemical bath and media blast , was that there was HAIL damage under my vinyl roof . The only reason I mention this is that by exposing what is underneath , you could be exposing a need for further bodywork .
I only mention this because there are a bunch of MAW's continuously waiting to happen . This was just about 1 of my 25 might as well moments.
So now I will have a perfect body UNDER my new vinyl roof after it gets painted next week.. This all just adds to the mystery . For me it just adds to the total restore of all of my body parts . Thx ,JT

 

Thanks! I kinda' like Vista's. This is my second '67.

 

This is a very good point any time a vinyl top was going back on, the roof was epoxy primed and had a automotive top coat. This was a good place to use left over paint as the color did not mater, also the paint was sprayed a little on the heavy side.