As always, looking for input from the Guru's here. Vinyl Top Discussion

[68vipguy]

Ok, so my 68 VIP is all white right now. She came with a Dark Green Vinyl Top. I am torn between putting the top back on, and doing something different. She needs a color break up badly, but I fear the top doing more harm in the future.

So, can you all give me your input on ideas for breaking up the white? Do I go vinyl Top? Do I get Vinyl Racing stripes from hood to tail? Side Stripe? Any ideas and thoughts appreciated.

 

[300rag]

If you still have all the mouldings for the vinyl top, you could always paint the roof for the contrast. It was done at the factory.

 

[hanks71440]

My vote is put on the vinyl top.

 

[Carmine]

Given that your roof has a full coat of paint (and many came through the factory with primer and a light dusting of paint) you won't have the rust issues people complain about. You could also paint it, the factory did do that, but not very often by the later 60s.

Make sure you use a factory grain vinyl for best ROI.

Say no to chevy-inspired stripes on hood/trunk. I don't even like them on new Challengers. Like puting a bumble-bee on a Chevelle.

There was a nice side stripe offered in '68.

 

[1978 NYB]

Put the vinyl back on it.

SMS has great vinyl but it takes forever to get it from them.

 

[68vipguy]

Put the vinyl back on it.

SMS has great vinyl but it takes forever to get it from them.

I had them send me a sample. They have the goods. I am patient. I been working on getting her back road/show worthy for years lol.

 

[68vipguy]

Given that your roof has a full coat of paint (and many came through the factory with primer and a light dusting of paint) you won't have the rust issues people complain about. You could also paint it, the factory did do that, but not very often by the later 60s.

Make sure you use a factory grain vinyl for best ROI.

Say no to chevy-inspired stripes on hood/trunk. I don't even like them on new Challengers. Like puting a bumble-bee on a Chevelle.

There was a nice side stripe offered in '68.

Yes, I do have to agree with the rallye stripe comment. It would be a last, probably never resort.

 

[mrfury68]

Put the vinyl top on. Legendary makes a kit in the correct grain. When installing the top remove the trim around the windshield & rear glass so the vinyl can get tucked in properly. The factory Sport Fury side stripe would look great running down both sides. Just my 2 cents. It's your car do what suits your tastes.

 

[commando1]

Once again, I'm outvoted by the unwashed masses that think vinyl roofs add to the cars appearance.
What will it take to convince you vinyl roofs are the Devil's work?

 

[JC68vert300]

I don't think I would like the stripes. I like how massive and sporty that VIP looks all white. I think a vinyl top would look great too.

 

[FURYGT]

I think a painted roof or vinyl roof would be nice but it looks like you may have filled in all of the holes.

What happened to all of the VIP side moldings?

 

[cm23uoc]

The VIP moldings would already brighten things up a bit, although they don't contrast that good as with darker Colors. Hard to find I guess though if you don't have them already.

 

[68vipguy]

I do have the moldings but they are in bad shape. The org owner used screws to replace a couple broke clips here and there. And they did some body damage. So I covered all the holes.

 

[Wildaugust]

If it were my car, I would leave it the way it is. I wouldn't do stripes, but I might add some trim rings, chrome nuts and center caps to the wheels. I always like chrome exhaust tips, so maybe I would do that too for a bit more of a "muscle" look. No scoops and definitely no spoilers!

It's a nice car.

 

[HWYCRZR]

If it came with vinyl, put it back on.
You have good paint coverage and you will probably be taking better care of it than it may have been 50 years ago.
I may be a little biased as mine has vinyl. I got my new top from SMS. Looks good in the box. It should go on in the next couple of weeks.

 

[commando1]

Damn. I love it just like that. Stripped to the max. I would even leave off the hub caps.
And I hate to say it....
wait for it...
Bigger skins in the back and a genuine period correct STP decal on the rear window.

 

[CBODY67]

I got to be driving age when vinyl roofs were first used on T-birds and such. A very deep-grained vinyl in comparison to what became "the norm" a few years later.

As I was waxing the top of our '66 Newport Town Sedan, I came to be of the orientation that IF I ever bought a car, it would have a vinyl roof so I wouldn't have to wax it! That "first car" I bought was my '70 Monaco Brougham 4-dr ht and it had the dark green factory roof, against the medium green metallic paint. Much better to put ArmorAll on a car wash sponge for application and then wipe off with a bath towel! Only issue was if it rained before the stuff had enough time to absorb and the windows became streaked with ArmorAll.

Later, as the rust issues with vinyl roofs started to appear, plus the discussions of how to best care for them ("preservative", no preservative, etc.). Other than looks, the vinyl roofs tended to quieten the cars and dampen any resonances from the "bare roof".

Now, the '66 Chrysler is white/white/tan interior. When I got the chrome shined and waxed, it made the car look much better!

For what you have now, I think I'd leave it "painted" as is. BUT work on getting some body side moldings on it! Plus the factory pin stripes, in the interior color! ONLY factory stripes for that model year. NO LX-Challanger V-6 stripes, either.

And, of course, a set of Magnum 500s would help things along, too!

As for waxing the top? I bought a B&D 20V 6" orbital polisher the other day.

I can take the Fastops either vinyled or painted. It's more about the body contours than what's on them, to me. Get those side moldings replaced! Rocker panel moldings?! Factory accept paint stripes on the far-upper sides of the car, too.

ALSO, knowing that the currently-available vinyl roof fabric is about 1/2 as thick (in total thickness) as the original were, Total durability will not be what it was with the original factory coverings. "Gause back" rather than "padded back" and the vinyl itself might be the same grain, but the dimension of what's under the grain to the backing is less than the originals, too. Even so, with care, it would probably last 10 years, just not 20-30?

The vinyl can be reapplied at any time, but getting those moldings can be much more time-sensitive in nature. Get all of that on the car and then make your determination of "Vinyl or Not Vinyl"?

CBODY67

 

[cantflip]

I do have the moldings but they are in bad shape. The org owner used screws to replace a couple broke clips here and there. And they did some body damage. So I covered all the holes.

If you've covered all the holes, you may as well do without and focus on other things (like driving her). IMO, she will look great either way, but I do agree with Carmine, Between the full paint and the dry storage... you shouldn't have a rust problem putting the vinyl back on.

Give many of these folks a chance, and you will build their vision of a perfect car. If you want to wait until you find the quality trim you're missing, she will still turn heads while you drive. Perfection is less important than enjoyment, none of them are ever truly finished if you use them.

 

[68vipguy]

Thank you all for your input. I will prolly never put the moldings back on. It is a dirt collector that I don’t really care for. And yeah my main objective is enjoying my car. I do think the vinyl will go back on. I do have those moldings. They are in pretty good shape. Driver quality at least. And for me, that’s just fine.

 

[rapidtrans]

A factory style pinstripe down the side might be just enough. Follow the body break along the beltline like a Sport Fury stripe or the sill line where the original moulding were.