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What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? #211961 02/02/09 03:59 PM 02/02/09 03:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	So I have a 71 Challenger that came from Chrysler without a vinyl top but the original owner had ordered one, so the dealer installed one and now I have some roof rot repairs to do around the windows and glue on the rest of the roof. When I get done with the roof repairs I was thinking of going back to a Vinyl top, here are a couple of pictures I had drawn up of my Challenger. See what you think and feel free to comment. 4994880-Challengersmallsize.jpg (85 downloads) Last edited by boydsdodge; 02/02/09 04:00 PM.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211962 02/02/09 04:01 PM 02/02/09 04:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	Here is drawing one. 4994889-boydsdodge_A_02.JPG (112 downloads)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211963 02/02/09 04:02 PM 02/02/09 04:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	Here is drawing two. 4994891-boydsdodge_D_02.JPG (95 downloads)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211964 02/02/09 04:02 PM 02/02/09 04:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho Neil The Doctor is in.
Neil The Doctor is in. Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho	I'd put the top back on.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: Neil] #211965 02/02/09 04:04 PM 02/02/09 04:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced B bboogieart master
bboogieart master B Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced	I like the one in the photo best.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: Neil] #211966 02/02/09 04:06 PM 02/02/09 04:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	If you decide to go with the black side stripes, then I would go for the vinyl top. If you don't do black side stripes and go for a butt stripe instead, then I'd leave the vinyl top off.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #211967 02/02/09 04:09 PM 02/02/09 04:09 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	It's going to be just like one of the drawings.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: bboogieart] #211968 02/02/09 04:12 PM 02/02/09 04:12 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	The photo is how the car is now, after removing the top and pulling the engine that broke.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211969 02/02/09 04:26 PM 02/02/09 04:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,165 Inver Grove Heights MN 7 74RR top fuel
74RR top fuel 7 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,165 Inver Grove Heights MN	No Vinyl.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: 74RR] #211970 02/02/09 04:32 PM 02/02/09 04:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,958 SW Fla. CYACOP master
CYACOP master Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,958 SW Fla.	I prefer them topless.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: CYACOP] #211971 02/02/09 04:34 PM 02/02/09 04:34 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	I've seen enough vinyl tops "leaving the car." I say no. No vinyl.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: CYACOP] #211972 02/02/09 04:36 PM 02/02/09 04:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 731 Aurora Colorado B BELVEDERE67 mopar addict
BELVEDERE67 mopar addict B Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 731 Aurora Colorado	I had the chance to do the top but declined that. Sometimes the tops break up the clean lines. I believe thats the case on yours. Good either way but better clean

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: BELVEDERE67] #211973 02/02/09 04:47 PM 02/02/09 04:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada D DPelletier I Live Here
DPelletier I Live Here D Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada	I like the vinyl; it helps break up the expanse of paint, it makes it easier to wax the car, you don't need to worry about scratches, etc PLUS F8 looks great with a black vinyl top and stripes! Dave 1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211974 02/02/09 05:24 PM 02/02/09 05:24 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	I am leaning to Vinyl because if I do, I can keep the original paint on the rest of the car after I do the roof repairs. The colour is F7 Last edited by boydsdodge; 02/02/09 05:28 PM.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211975 02/02/09 05:29 PM 02/02/09 05:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI patrick I Live Here
patrick I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI	how about painting the top with a satin/semi gloss black? 1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod SOLD!* 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: patrick] #211976 02/02/09 05:36 PM 02/02/09 05:36 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	I was thinking of doing the top the same as the hood black out. The T/A black with the slight roughness. You could order e-bodies in two tone.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211977 02/02/09 05:39 PM 02/02/09 05:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho Neil The Doctor is in.
Neil The Doctor is in. Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho	A painted roof was an option on most mopars. It would need to be gloss black if you wanted it to look factory stock. I'd take a vinyl top over gloss black paint anyday. Black paint = lots of work.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: Neil] #211978 02/02/09 05:46 PM 02/02/09 05:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	I don't think I would ever do gloss, the textured T/A black with window retainers sounds cool. 4995176-ta_challenger_11.jpg (51 downloads)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211979 02/02/09 05:52 PM 02/02/09 05:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska Scott Carl pro stock
Scott Carl pro stock Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska	Quote: So I have a 71 Challenger that came from Chrysler without a vinyl top but the original owner had ordered one, so the dealer installed one and now I have some roof rot repairs to do around the windows and glue on the rest of the roof. When I get done with the roof repairs I was thinking of going back to a Vinyl top, here are a couple of pictures I had drawn up of my Challenger. See what you think and feel free to comment. I don't want to highjack your thread, but I'm also facing the same decision soon and there are a couple points to ponder and I'm wondering if you have the same questions. If you decide to not replace the vivyl right away, what about the trim studs that are spot welded on across the rear deck(or are they on a 71?) Will you leave them on in case you decide to put the vinyl back on? If you shave them off and change your mind later, how do attach the trim clips again? My rust is bad enough that a few of the studs around the glass have broken or disinigrated. how do you replace these? The more questions I ask the more I'm leaning toward sans-vinyl

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211980 02/02/09 06:56 PM 02/02/09 06:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada D DPelletier I Live Here
DPelletier I Live Here D Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada	Quote: I am leaning to Vinyl because if I do, I can keep the original paint on the rest of the car after I do the roof repairs. The colour is F7 That's a good enough reason to put the V1X on as any. Original paint I never did like the two tone painted roofs much and flat/semi gloss would look weird/not finished properly IMO. Dave 1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: DPelletier] #211981 02/02/09 07:12 PM 02/02/09 07:12 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,884 Michigan MNobody master
MNobody master Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,884 Michigan	I like it better without the top, plus that black top will only make it hotter inside.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211982 02/02/09 09:01 PM 02/02/09 09:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA rrunner master
rrunner master Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA	Quote: Here is drawing one. With the black hood and T/A stripe, I like the vinyl top. If no stripe and R/T hood as the first pic you posted no vinyl.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211983 02/02/09 10:54 PM 02/02/09 10:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,623 Millinocket, Maine J JonC master
JonC master J Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,623 Millinocket, Maine	vinyl tops s@#$!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211984 02/02/09 10:58 PM 02/02/09 10:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,324 St. Louis, Mo 3 318 Stroker master
318 Stroker master 3 Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,324 St. Louis, Mo	Did the dealer installed roof use factory chrome moldings, or the cheap looking aftermarket moldings? If they used the latter, I would get rid of the vinyl roof. If they used the proper moldings, it's your call. Personally, I like vinyl roofs on E-bodies...

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: 318 Stroker] #211985 02/02/09 11:21 PM 02/02/09 11:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	They used the cheap aftermarket mouldings, but I have two sets of factory mouldings. I don't think I could blend the paint on the roof without it being real obvious. I could always try, if it looks good, no vinyl.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211986 02/02/09 11:29 PM 02/02/09 11:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio basketcase master
basketcase master Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio	as good as vinyl tops look, after see how roofs are turned to swiss cheese under them, I'd be hard pressed to put one on. Dave 1981 Dodge D150 360 auto

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: basketcase] #211987 02/02/09 11:42 PM 02/02/09 11:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho Neil The Doctor is in.
Neil The Doctor is in. Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho	The main reason they rust is the factory didn't put very much paint on the cars that got vinyl tops. I removed the one on my dart and it was 90% primer underneath. Luckily I didn't have any rust to deal with on mine. I'm going to paint the roof with base-clear like the rest of the car and then put the vinyl top back on. So long as I don't let the car sit outside in the rain I think it should hold up ok. I'm more worried about the top drying out in the sun than rust starting under it.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211988 02/02/09 11:51 PM 02/02/09 11:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI patrick I Live Here
patrick I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI	Quote: They used the cheap aftermarket mouldings, but I have two sets of factory mouldings. I don't think I could blend the paint on the roof without it being real obvious. I could always try, if it looks good, no vinyl. could you just paint and put the vinyl top mouldings on? then a slight color mismatch might not be as obvious 1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod SOLD!* 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: Neil] #211989 02/02/09 11:54 PM 02/02/09 11:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN A ahy master
ahy master A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	I chose no vinyl. After repair around the windows, I painted. Mine had rust even though it spent most of its life in California and Nevada. The vinyl top can look OK from a distance with some colors I guess... but I don't care for the trim up close. Plus, I drive in rain and don't want to even think about more rust.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: ahy] #211990 02/03/09 12:03 PM 02/03/09 12:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada D DPelletier I Live Here
DPelletier I Live Here D Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada	I always hear about how vinyl tops cause rust and I have no doubt that this was true, but it really isn't an issue for most of us anymore. My car is a toy, not a daily driver and it's stored in a heated garage therefore the roof rust issue is dead in my (and I suspect most other's) case. With the vinyl top, if I just want to wash off some dust and/or wax the car I don't even have to get the top of the car wet. Strangely enough, my car had some typical B body rust, but the roof was mint under the factory top. Dave 1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: DPelletier] #211991 02/03/09 02:08 PM 02/03/09 02:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,658 Detroit area 6PAX master
6PAX master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,658 Detroit area	Another vote for the vinyl top. Drawing one looks much better than drawing two.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: 6PAX] #211992 02/03/09 05:35 PM 02/03/09 05:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,098 Valencia, España NachoRT74 master
NachoRT74 master Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,098 Valencia, España	+1 for vinyl top... vinyl top damages the body because a bad treatment before the top, and since on those years the roof was simply primered and not painted to save money, then is hard to prepare the surface back to the vinyl top being metal is not virgin anymore, but is "doable"! With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: NachoRT74] #211993 02/04/09 03:14 PM 02/04/09 03:14 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	Cool, thanks for the answers.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211994 02/04/09 03:56 PM 02/04/09 03:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,278 San Jose, California D DennisH Vacation
DennisH Vacation D Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,278 San Jose, California	Besides my B Body, that first photo of your car shows one of the most beautiful sights on Earth. No vinyl.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: DennisH ] #211995 02/04/09 06:26 PM 02/04/09 06:26 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	Here is the worst of the roof rot. Can anybody give clear instructions on removing trim and windows? 5001023-Challengerrepairsformoparts010.jpg (31 downloads)

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211996 02/04/09 07:11 PM 02/04/09 07:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho Neil The Doctor is in.
Neil The Doctor is in. Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,765 Eagle, Idaho	You'll need to buy the tool to remove the trim. I bought mine at NAPA. The window gasket on my car was hard as a rock so I took a carpet knife and cut away at it until I was able to get the window out. If you do this go slow and be carefull.

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: boydsdodge] #211997 02/04/09 07:12 PM 02/04/09 07:12 PM
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska Scott Carl pro stock
Scott Carl pro stock Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska	I just used a very thin flat screwdriver and carefully rocked the trim back anforth till it started to come loose. Then twisted at each clip VERY carfully. YMMV but it worked form me. Bet you will find more rust under the trim tho. I did

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: 318 Stroker] #211998 02/04/09 07:15 PM 02/04/09 07:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska Scott Carl pro stock
Scott Carl pro stock Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,568 Omaha, Nebraska	Quote: Did the dealer installed roof use factory chrome moldings, or the cheap looking aftermarket moldings? If they used the latter, I would get rid of the vinyl roof. If they used the proper moldings, it's your call. Personally, I like vinyl roofs on E-bodies... How can you tell if its factory or dealer?? Mine are chrome or probably stainless

Re: What do you think? Vinyl or no Vinyl? [Re: Scott Carl] #211999 02/05/09 09:56 AM 02/05/09 09:56 AM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada boydsdodge OP super stock
boydsdodge OP super stock Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 757 Toronto, Ont, Canada	The dealer ones on this car was a metal strip riveted on to the body then a chrome plastic strip is pushed into the metal strip. It works alot like the front plastic chrome on 60s A-bodies.

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