1972 Newport Royal, Vinyl Top or Not?

[damjbb]

Hey Guys,

I have a 2 door, 72 Newport Royal that I just picked up and now that I am not a kid anymore, (I am 50) I will not be going with the old dull paint or primer grey look!
My question is did the 72 Newport Royal come without a vinyl top? The build plate (pic 1) does not list a vinyl top for this vehicle however the studs for the rear trim below the rear window are there (pic 2.) Now it does appear someone had a vinyl top on this vehicle at one time so this leads to these questions:

1. If a vinyl top is not on the build plate was it common to have the dealership add a vinyl top?
2. Did any 72 Newport Royal's come without a vinyl top?
3. If some models did not come with a vinyl top did the car come with the rear trim below the rear window?

I appreciate any help in advance!

 

[saforwardlook]

A vinyl roof would have been optional on a Newport Royal, and it would normally show up on the body code plate as V1x where the x would denote the color. Your plate does show a V5X which is for black insert body side moldings. It was not uncommon for a dealer to add a vinyl top to enhance the sale.

 

[damjbb]

A vinyl roof would have been optional on a Newport Royal, and it would normally show up on the body code plate as V1x where the x would denote the color. Your plate does show a V5X which is for black insert body side moldings. It was not uncommon for a dealer to add a vinyl top to enhance the sale.

Thank you for your reply. My thought when I go to have the car painted is go without a vinyl top since the build tag does not list that however do you know if the car was shipped to the dealer without a vinyl top would the rear trim below the back window be there?

 

[saforwardlook]

Thank you for your reply. My thought when I go to have the car painted is go without a vinyl top since the build tag does not list that however do you know if the car was shipped to the dealer without a vinyl top would the rear trim below the back window be there?

I have never seen any car without a vinyl roof that had trim down there from the factory. There would be no reason for it. I don't have a 1972 dealer showroom brochure for that model, but it would answer those questions too. Some of this information can be found on the Hamtramck Registry site:

The 1970 Hamtramck Registry Home Page

Note that a "Special" package could have been had on the Newport Royal that did have a vinyl roof standard, but it would have been a bronze metallic color with unique interiors.

This page shows that vinyl roofs are optional on all regular production Chryslers in 1972 (and the "take" rate):

And here is one page from the dealer brochure that I found on line that shows a Newport Royal Royal without a vinyl roof and without the lower vinyl roof trim moldings (a four door example, but the two door would be the same).

 

[damjbb]

I have never seen any car without a vinyl roof that had trim down there from the factory. There would be no reason for it. I don't have a 1972 dealer showroom brochure for that model, but it would answer those questions too. Some of this information can be found on the Hamtramck Registry site:

The 1970 Hamtramck Registry Home Page

Note that a "Special" package could have been had on the Newport Royal that did have a vinyl roof standard, but it would have been a bronze metallic color with unique interiors.

This page shows that vinyl roofs are optional on all Chryslers in 1972 (and the "take" rate):

And here is one page from the dealer brochure that I found on line that shows a Newport Royal Royal without a vinyl roof and without the lower trim moldings (a four door example, but the two door would be the same).

Thank you for taking your time to help me sort this out. I will post some pics once my exterior is completed.

 

[commando1]

Do you know how rare it is to see a car of this era in a factory brochure to be shown without a vinyl roof?

 

[kmccabe56]

Do you know how rare it is to see a car of this era in a factory brochure to be shown without a vinyl roof?

Um...... Very?

 

[MarPar]

I re-did my vinyl top last year, and as far as we (FCBO) figured out, mine was a dealer installed version as well (over a factory painted roof ) the points on your top are just like mine.

this is a factory installed vinyl top (note the different design)

 

[damjbb]

I re-did my vinyl top last year, and as far as we (FCBO) figured out, mine was a dealer installed version as well (over a factory painted roof ) the points on your top are just like mine.

View attachment 116326

this is a factory installed vinyl top (note the different design)

View attachment 116327

Thank you for the post, it does appear that my vehicle had a vinyl top added as a dealer option. Funny there are factory drilled holes for the name badge of a Newport Custom right behind the rear passenger window (pic 1.) I am sure all vehicles came off the line to build out all models and then just finished to the model ordered by the dealership or customer. Now I have to decide vinyl top or not. I am leaning towards no vinyl to to match the build tag.

 

[MarPar]

Thank you for the post, it does appear that my vehicle had a vinyl top added as a dealer option. Funny there are factory drilled holes for the name badge of a Newport Custom right behind the rear passenger window (pic 1.) I am sure all vehicles came off the line to build out all models and then just finished to the model ordered by the dealership or customer. Now I have to decide vinyl top or not. I am leaning towards no vinyl to to match the build tag.View attachment 116337

IMHO go without the vinyl top.

I wish I could have gone sans vinyl, but $$$$$ did not allow a full respray of the car. maybe in the future I will.

 

[damjbb]

Thank you to everyone who has helped with my question. I found this link which has the dealer brochure for 1972. I hope this is helpful for others: Mopar Fuselage Styled Full Size Cars

 

[damjbb]

Do you know how rare it is to see a car of this era in a factory brochure to be shown without a vinyl roof?

You're right! Below I posted a link which has a customer brochure and the 2 door hard top is not shown without a vinyl top!