[Shift'n Gears]

Growing up in the 70's I never saw a Trans Am with a Cordova top. I only saw this option on base Firebirds, Esprits, and Formula's which didn't bother me as I really did not like the look. I felt it took away from the rounded lines of an F-body.

Obviously there are several documented 74 SD Trans Am's with this option. But I have only seen Vinyl tops on 74 Trans Am's and ONLY with a SD. So my question is....

Why were 74 SD TA's equipped with a cordova top? Was there a reason?

[johnta1]

For granny's?

(Sorry Critter )

[critter]

Cuts me to the quick!

I'm afraid I don't have an answer. I've never seen it on a TA other than the SDs myself.

[2manyT/A'S]

Because it provided a "nice" backdrop for the opera windows which were likely NEXT on the accessory list! (YUCKKK!)

Perhaps it was offered in 74 to lure the Grand Prix/Grandville/Grand Am buyer over to the T/A camp & stimulate Super Duty sales?

I'm sure there were some non - SD T/A's built with "rubber roofs",& the second owners PROBABLY had the the GOOD SENSE to peel them prior to repainting. (IT'S FUN!)

I checked in my Selling Facts books & here is what I found:

1973: it was offered on Base,Formula & Esprit. (no mention of T/A)
1974 & 75: Listed for ALL firebird models
1976: GONE & replaced by the Canopy Roof (different but WORSE)

Hmmm,did they ever offer a Landeau Roof,perhaps a NICE padded one?
I've seen them.
(I'm scared to look in the book!)

[Region Warrior]

My guess is because it's a luxury option.

Plus TA's were made to look fast sitting still

[critter]

Brother can't get no love in here!

[2manyT/A'S]

Look on the BRIGHT SIDE,you shouldn't ever have any problems finding your car in the parking lot. (OR getting into the WRONG one!)

[Super Duty D]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

Look on the BRIGHT SIDE,you shouldn't ever have any problems finding your car in the parking lot. (OR getting into the WRONG one!)

How do I go about finding one of these to make my 73 SD "Custom"? I know it's
not offered in 73 but niether is a sun roof. ???

Just stiring the pot.

SDD

[2manyT/A'S]

Don't forget to add the Round Port Holes in the sail panels,especially on an SD T/A!

[superdutybob]

Everybody just stop it!

It was something Pontiac tried and it didn't prove fruitful. They let it go and so should all of you.

I apologize to critter for all my Firebird and T/A brethren for their lack of respect.

As for Charlie, stay in the 77-79 section will you! LOL

[critter]

ROTFLMAO!

Guys, I have heard so much crap about that top over the years that I just laugh all the time. At first I carried the PHS documentation around with me just so I could prove it. Now I tell them my sister married a guy from east LA and I couldn't stop him.

Seriously, you can't hurt my feelings.

The funniest part to me is that the top is the only reason this car survived. It was the worst of the 2 SD cars I bought. I'd never seen one with that top and thought it was rare enough to justify to extra work and expense to save it. I'm glad I did.

Now, if I could just afford an SD intake for it...

[Shift'n Gears]

Critter,
WOW! I did not know this would spawn so much abuse... curiosity was all it really was. Anyway, look at it this way How many SD's have a Cordova Top?? Pretty rare car. (and Nice too!).


Bob,
Waaa.. Guess I'll have to go back to my W72 sandbox... LOL

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by critter

ROTFLMAO!

Guys, I have heard so much crap about that top over the years that I just laugh all the time. At first I carried the PHS documentation around with me just so I could prove it. Now I tell them my sister married a guy from east LA and I couldn't stop him.

Seriously, you can't hurt my feelings.

The funniest part to me is that the top is the only reason this car survived. It was the worst of the 2 SD cars I bought. I'd never seen one with that top and thought it was rare enough to justify to extra work and expense to save it. I'm glad I did.

Now, if I could just afford an SD intake for it...

The "rubber roof" on your 74 certainly adds character to the car & it will DEFINATELY stand out in the SEA of SD cars at all the shows.
If it was MY car & MY decision (to peel or NOT to peel),I think I would have ALSO left it intact. (different is GOOD!)
Just for fun,did anybody look at the SD registry to see if there are any/many others built with one?

[critter]

I've never gone through the registry but I do know of 6 others I've either seen in person or seen photos of. There are probably more.

Honestly guys, I'm not the least bit offended. These tops aren't everyone's cup of tea. That's cool.

[Region Warrior]

I was serious about my last post.
But my 68 FB had a vinyl roof. Never had one before.
Had to remove it to repair rust bubbles and tears.
At 1st, didnt care for it. But after a couple years, grown fond of it.
Think'n bout put'n it back on.
FWIW, a TA with one has to be really rare.
Never seen before.

[1qikta]

Originally Posted by critter

I've never gone through the registry but I do know of 6 others I've either seen in person or seen photos of. There are probably more.

Honestly guys, I'm not the least bit offended. These tops aren't everyone's cup of tea. That's cool.

Chris,

Is that the original roof on your car or have you already replaced it once? I know rust was an issue as soon as the glue started to come up.

How bad was it?

[johnta1]

I see 2 in the SD Registry.

[critter]

Jay, it's the second top on that car. The original was still on it when I bought it. The rust wasn't as bad as I thought it might be but it was still pretty "crunchy" under the sail panel areas on both sides. other than those spots, it had no rust under the top. The drivers side was bad enough that dad and I cut out a section and fabricated a patch panel to weld in.

I have an NOS panel for the passenger quarter but I'm still looking for a replacement for that driver's side. One of these days I'll take it back down to bare metal and try to replace it all with original GM sheet metal.