Vinyl top or no?

[Beekeeper]

Hoping to move from California to Tennessee in a few years. A buddy of mine was trying to convince me not to put the vinyl top on my 70 RT when I restore it for fear that it would quickly rust out in the high humidity where we are going.

Anyone live in a high humidity state who can offer their opinion on the matter? I love vinyl top cars but if it means rusting out the roof in a few years, I'll patch the trim holes and not replace it. The car will be stored indoors but there will still be months of humidity plus I'll take it out to cruise regularly so there's no avoiding it.

[ToxicWolf]

I live in florida.  Doesn't get hotter or more humid than this and I've never had a problem, but you do have to take care of them.   

[dave73chally]

If you're worried about moisture under the vinyl you could paint the roof black like the V02 coded cars. Or you could test the waters with the look of it with vinyl and go from there on your decision 

[burdar]

There are a couple reasons that vinyl top cars are prone to rust.  None of them are of any concern today IMO.  (1)The factory never completely painted the roofs if a vinyl top was going to be installed.  They just left them in primer. This left the metal vulnerable to the elements.  When you paint the car, have the roof completely painted just like the rest of the body.  This will help seal the metal and better protect it. (2)Back when these cars were new, they were used as every day transportation.  They were driven in the rain and in the snow.  They were left dirty and not kept washed and waxed.  All of this led to water and salt being trapped under the trim.  The cars were left outside in the elements.  The sun deteriorated the vinyl leading to cracks where water could get in. For the most part, these cars aren't used as daily transportation any more.  They are taken care of much better then they were when new.  We are constantly washing them and keeping them clean.  We keep them in locked garages and shops.  We generally only take them out on nice days.  There is no reason a restored car should have future rust issues due to a vinyl top. 

[tommyg29]

I live in florida.  Doesn't get hotter or more humid than this and I've never had a problem, but you do have to take care of them.   

Same here, 
I keep it garaged though and rarely take it out.

[Beekeeper]

Glad to hear....I'm not gonna worry about it. I'll just make sure the roof is painted or well protected and put the vinyl top on then. They look awesome in my opinion, especially against a bright color like the go mango I plan to do the car in.