I have a '69 and I was throwing around the idea of adding a vinyl top to a non vinyl top car? Is it a lot of work? Any ideas what to use to hold the trim pieces on? Thanks

You would either have to rivet the plastic clips on, screw them on, or use a stud welder. In my honest opinion, I wouldn't waste my time. There are plenty of other holes to drill plus good luck getting the trim for it as it is very hard to come by. Don't forget you have to make sure all the trim lines up properly.

Originally posted by BlueSS454:
good luck getting the trim for it as it is very hard to come by. :confused: I have 2 sets of the stuff and know where 4 more are.

Its up to you,read more on this site to see the pros and cons about vinyl roofs.I had purchased one for my '66 and after talking to the guy at the trim shop decided to leave it off,he said it acts just like a sponge,because theres nothing on the market to water proof them.he said it would be ok if I was just in the sun only,but no water.."wouldn't it be nice to be able to wash you car without worring about the roof sucking up the water" Just my 2 cents worth.

I just took the original vinyl top off of my '69. Underneath the top was nothing but the factory applied brownish-red primer. Other than the 1/4 panel/filler panel seam and a couple of spots at the edges where the molding sits, there was no rust at all. I started hitting the roof with a DA and 80 grit and am getting nothing but clean shiny metal underneath -once you get through that factory primer - that stuff is a bear. That's a 35 year old application. Top was worn but actually in good shape for being 35 years old cloth. Of course, the car itself, is completely rust free, so obviously has always been a garaged vehicle. I am on the fence right now regarding reinstall of the top after a repaint, so we will see. I like the '69's both with and without the vinyl. I think once I get the roof and 1/4's completely sanded out and shot with black epoxy, I will know better what lies ahead as far as body work and then decide to leave or eliminate.

If you want, I could shoot some pics of the mounting holes and studs, then you decide if you want to go through the work or not.

I always thought the top added class, then i removed mine to fix what looked like minor rust bubbling... All i have to say is ill never buy another vinyl top car again. The metal under the top is pitted all to hell, and im still not shure how im going to get the rust out of the middle of the pits. The only way to save my roof will be to remove all the rust, and put a skim coat of tigerhair on the entire roof....god i hate sanding.

gotta throw my 2 cents in. in the early days when they built these vinyl top cars. the top got a bad prep job. some werent even painted and the seams would be plastered poorly. that being said there are some rust buckets caused from the early jobs. but if you have the car prepped already ,you want have any problems with the rust worm. we all know that the vinyl gives these cars the perfect finnishing touch. i say go for it.

Mine was one of those bad prep jobs, the roof was in horrible shape. I put the top back on for 2 reasons. First, it came with it and I was restoring it to original, second, I felt that it would make the car look alot better and it did.
As for getting the top moldings, it took me 8 weeks to track down a set for mine when I needed them since the original ones were gone for whatever reason.
I did acquire a mint set of top moldings for $25 from a car I found in the junkyard a couple months ago (score one for me).

keep the vinyl on the seats and off the roof,its just a no win deal,you have rust issues if not on the top it seems to allways be by the trim,when you wash the car and dry it ,its always seeping out and running down the quarter,and then you think its done and you go for a drive and you see water spots down the quarter,and as for looks,it does nothing for the car in my opinion,but its your car and you have to do what turns you on,thats what its all about

I want to thank you all for the advice, I think I'am going to try and install one once I get the trim & hardware(any suggestions)? I'm picturing a siler or a bronze color car w/ a black top. SWEET!!!! Any ideas on where I could get some trim parts & hardware? Thanks guys

i have done a few, and the hardest part is getting the piece of molding that goes over the 1/4 panel to tie in the back glass stainless(piece below the window) if it didnt have studs it would be easy-i found a car that the chrome was missing, and made a paper template with the holes marked(some repro's don even match the factory holes)-some of the newer vinyle tops are a little thicker, and the raingutter trim wont fit if you run the top over the gutter like the factory-its easier to cut the top down in the gutter, and use a skim of black silicon to cover the edge(if you have never put a top on, i would suggest having someone do it)

My 69 is at my buddy's place for bodywork and paint now. I am going with Cortez Silver and black body stripe. Also, we went back and forth about the top..I have decided to go vinyl, because I think it will really look great with this color.

GRN69CHV..can you copy me on the pictures you have..I am going to have to add the posts/attaching hardware as my car did not have a vinyl top on it before (jtm60@comcast.net).

It was interesting to see what was under the gray lacquer primer that was on my car..cowl tag says it was originally fathom green. Well, found some green. It was butternut yellow on the driver side 1/4 and roof. Maroon on door. Maroon and butternut, plus black on the fender..interesting to see a 'timeline' of what had been done to "my" car!

My 69 is at my buddy's place for bodywork and paint now. I am going with Cortez Silver and black body stripe. Also, we went back and forth about the top..I have decided to go vinyl, because I think it will really look great with this color.

GRN69CHV..can you copy me on the pictures you have..I am going to have to add the posts/attaching hardware as my car did not have a vinyl top on it before (jtm60@comcast.net).

It was interesting to see what was under the gray lacquer primer that was on my car..cowl tag says it was originally fathom green. Well, found some green. It was butternut yellow on the driver side 1/4 and roof. Maroon on door. Maroon and butternut, plus black on the fender..interesting to see a 'timeline' of what had been done to "my" car!