Author Topic: Vinyl top advice.  (Read 2571 times)

Offline challenger_73

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Vinyl top advice.
« on: January 21, 2011 - 12:14:29 AM »
My car is about to get its final assembly and paint. Up until now I had decided not putting the vinyl back on the car. Due to the color (Citron Yella) and Theme ( 71 RT side stripe, Hood blackout, go-wing & Rallye Wheels.)  I think now that the vinyl top may make the car. I was thinking to have my body guy go ahead and paint the whole car and if I think that I want the vinyl at that point I will have it put on. Do you think that there would be any issues with the vinyl adhering to the top if I do this? I read some horror stories on here of members vinyl tops lifting after they were installed. Before I have my body guy paint it I just want to make sure of this. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Tony=challenger_73




Offline bb71challenger

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2011 - 01:07:19 AM »
I had my roof painted and cleared just for the sealing purposes. I was told that all I neeed to do was scuff the clear before installing the top.
1971 Challenger (OO==== ====OO) getting close!
1970 Challenger (OO########OO) long ways off
*Brett*

Offline dutch

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2011 - 05:46:36 AM »
what are you gonna do with the trim holes?
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Offline challenger_73

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2011 - 09:13:29 AM »
Trim Holes? The trim holes were removed. New ones would have to be made. Plus I had to put a new dutchman panel on anyway. Who sells quality Vinyl Tops. Also, was there any particular year that looked better seamwise?
Tony=challenger_73
« Last Edit: January 21, 2011 - 09:20:16 AM by challenger_73 »

Offline bb71challenger

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2011 - 11:06:57 AM »
Trim Holes? The trim holes were removed. New ones would have to be made. Plus I had to put a new dutchman panel on anyway. Who sells quality Vinyl Tops. Also, was there any particular year that looked better seamwise?
Tony=challenger_73

If your trim holes were filled with bondo and not welded you will find them easily by looking at the interior of the panels. That is how I found mine. Little squiggly worms of dried bondo pointed right to their location. I do believe there were two different tops, a narrow and a wide seam.
1971 Challenger (OO==== ====OO) getting close!
1970 Challenger (OO########OO) long ways off
*Brett*

Offline challenger_73

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2011 - 02:35:55 PM »
Which Vinyl top was better or better looking?
Tony=challenger_73

Offline burdar

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2011 - 02:42:32 PM »
70-72 Challengers used the wide seam.(seams very close to side windows)  In 73, Challengers started using the Cuda tops that had the narrow seam.(the seams run from the windsheild to the back glass)

I've never liked the 70-72 style vinyl tops.  It just doesn't look right how the seam runs down the side of the roof to the quarter panel.  The 73-74 style looks much better IMO. 

I got my top from Legendary.

Offline boydsdodge

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2011 - 03:21:17 PM »
I like the later style top with straight front to back seam.
Jackson from Toronto.

Offline AMXguy

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2011 - 03:43:32 PM »
Check out Legendary, the one I bought from them was great.
1970 R/T SE Challenger
 1970 Superbee
 1969 S code Mach 1
 1967  GTO

Offline jimynick

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Re: Vinyl top advice.
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2011 - 05:27:47 PM »
 :iagree: Just bought mine from Legendary and apparently it is what they call "boar" grain, hope it's not a pig to put on- sorry!. It looks a lot like a restrained gator pattern. $128.00 and rough cut to size. I had and also like the frt to back seams also.