Quote:
Originally Posted by TAKerry
This was an earlier car, and the vinyl was on the back half. I grew up in that era and have no problem with vinyl tops, I like them on some cars. On this one it doesnt particularly look that good IMO. I would not be surprised if its aftermarket. Thanks.
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Have no issue with a factory installed vinyl top on something as rare & desirable as say, the above '73 Stage 1 GS, a ton of 73-74 GS's had that style of vinyl top. Dealing with such a performance Buick, the partial vinyl top would be replaced upon restoration, if I was fortunate enough own the car.
Aftermarket vinyl tops, installed on a whim, are another story.
In the late 60's to early 70's, such tops were a popular addition @ new car dealerships to make a sale, & even as an aftermarket addition a few years later in the mid '70's. On the '68-72 A-body 2 door Pontiacs with a full aftermarket vinyl top, the edge molding was typically a one piece plastic semi-hoop. This is unlike the factory stainless pieces & chromed potmetal corner pieces. Very easy to spot a full vinyl top aftermarket style. This style of chromed plastic edge molding would get a yellowish cast to it within just a few years. With an aftermarket vinyl top, even on cars that have spent their entire existence in fairly dry climates, its fairly common to find rust damage to the roof & catwalk. Ocassionally, it will also rear it's head on the A & B pillars of the car. A view that several of us have come to is the common spray on glue of the time interacted with the original lacquer paint, eventually creating trapped rust. Peel off the top, & one will see the damage.
Years ago this opinion was further confirmed when i brought up the aftermarket vinyl top subject with one of my friends who has done high quality metalwork & bodywork for over 45 years. Like myself, he has had his hands on a ton of A-body's of this era. The particular car that am dealing with this issue has been well stored indoors since the mid 80's, & had been stored under a carport throughout the 70's when it was not being wrenched on or raced. All it took was the original owner having an aftermarket vinyl top installed in late '74 (at his wife's desire) to start the rust process. The damage evident by the mid 80's was rust pocks in the B pillar area of the roof skin, above & below, the leaded seam of the passenger 1/4 panel. Nothing a lot of labor, a roof skin, & nos 1/4 panel couldn't solve, but an absolute frustrating ordeal.
Buyer beware on vinyl top car purchases.