What happened with vinyl tops over the years?

[y_p_w]

My kid who loves talking about cars was asking about roofs that are different colors than the rest of the body - like some Minis. But then I mentioned vinyl covered hardtops, which I recall being really common in the 1970s. They were typically a different color, although back then I thought that customization was pretty common and I'm sure some were the same/similar color as the paint.

But after maybe 50 years they're probably falling apart - especially without modern UV protection. Heck - I remember a relative driving a late 60s Mustang in the 90s, and that vinyl dash was completely cracked. There must be ways to replace these tops and probably all that vinyl. Of course some might have been garaged all these years and are still in decent shape.

 

[KGMtech]

Automakers loved the vinyl roof, it saved them the trouble of sanding out imperfections in the sheet metal or painted surface, and gave them a chargeable option to increase profits.

Given that most people drive a cross over or SUV, the average person can't see the top of their car (too short) there is no real interest in what is happening up there.

 

[PimTac]

The big issue was that the vinyl would crack or peel and rust started to set in. Those landau roofs were notorious for that. They faded and deteriorated quickly.

 

[walterjay]

After a few years they were usually a rusted mess underneath.

 

[UG_Passat]

Now the Landau roof, has been replaced by the currently fashionable vinyl wraps.

Even the Camry XSE with the black roofs are vinyl wraps, from the factory, since it's not black paint you see.

 

[y_p_w]

The big issue was that the vinyl would crack or peel and rust started to set in. Those landau roofs were notorious for that. They faded and deteriorated quickly.

My parents drove a 1975 Chevy Monza V8 with that style roof. Beige top but the rest red.

 

[PimTac]

It seemed inevitable that the rust would start where the metal chrome trim was. I had speculated that the workers trimmed the material with blades and thus scratched the metal underneath. You could be assured that somewhere around the five year mark the rust and or problems would appear. Bubbling, peeling, fading.

 

[Dave9]

I had a couple of those, guess they might have improved the looks but only because cars were in a dark era, styling wise in the mid to late '70's, though didn't get much better in the '80s.

I never had a problem with rust, maybe because I got rid of them by around 15 y/o. Had a black top that faded some but with goop on it, looked good again. Had a tan one that held up well enough, couldn't tell it had faded some because it started out a light color. Neither cracked within 15 yrs age, but both were waxed, and both had been garage parked when newer, and shaded by a tree when parked in the driveway.

 

[billt460]

I had a black vinyl top on my 1970 Chevy Nova SS. I used Aero Wax kitchen floor wax on it. Worked good. Snow and ice just slid right off.

 

[Malo83]

This is what my 74 Grand Prix Landau roof looked like, roof was dark brown and the car was beige.
regret selling that car.

 

[IndyIan]

I remember going to Buffalo NY in 2006 or so, and I was amazed at all the vinyl tops, on relatively new cars too, from the 90's. Lots of GM 90's vehicles with them, that I don't think I'd ever seen one in Canada with a vinyl top?
I don't really understand why they exist? Some kind of look like a convertible top, but they aren't really fooling anyone.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

Vinyl tops also provided a cosmetic way to cover the leaded quarter panel / roof joint. Today's body's no longer have leaded joints. The joint is usually concealed in the roof via an overlapping seem joint that this then covered with a vinyl strip or is laser welded at a but joint hidden by the roof's edge.

 

[skyactiv]

When I was a kid, it was common to see an 80's Olds or Grand Prix, the mid-sized rear wheel drive ones, with a ghetto vinyl roof with part of it covering the rear window in a diamond cut, on the bad side of town.

 

[Warstud]

The worst was a nice Muscle Car with a vinyl roof.

 

[vavavroom]

Who remembers the Corvorado? A classy vinyl top for a classy ride.

https://www.madle.org/ecorvorado.htm

 

[JavierH19]

Man i hated vinyl tops. They'd fail in no time and the roof would start rusting from trapping water underneath.

 

[PimTac]

Back in the 70’s I believe one of the Chrysler cars had the worst trim job ever. A vinyl roof with a sort of fake trim on the sides. It wasn’t stick on wood but it was horrible. That side trim would peel and scratch easy.

Cordoba?

 

[Kira]

At the Dodge dealership a cheap add-on vinyl roof was rolled out by a guy who'd do it in the parking lot. It sold cars.

There was a high school rumor that the stippling of the vinyl was aerodynamic, "...for the same reason a football has dots on it". See, people's foolishness is timeless.

My Dad's '66 Olds 98 LS (Forest Mist w/black vinyl roof) = good.
Sis & BIL's bright blue '70 Dodge Charger w/white vinyl roof = BAD.

 

[skyactiv]

Ever hear of the Chrysler Mod Top option?

 

[PontiacHO]

Good way to hide rust.