Vinyl Tops: Are you a fan?

[Road_Runner]

Both my old Plymouths were ordered with the vinyl tops they still have.  The Roadrunner is Tor Red with a black top, the Barracuda is Mist Green with white top.  My 23 year old son hates the top on the Barracuda especially, saying that it would just look better without it (and painted another color as well).  Me, I like the look of these older cars because that's what the cool cars looked like when I was growing up.  Are you a fan of vinyl tops?  Did your car originally come with one and you took it off?  Just curious what the folks here think about the look of vinyl tops on Barracudas & Challengers.  It would also be interesting to know the decade you began driving because I wouldn't be surprised if this breaks down by age somewhat.

Thanks in advance, Jim

[barracuda7199]

i starting driving in 1997. i am 28 years old. i got my 71 cuda when i was 17. it originally is hemi orange with a black vinyl top and a luggage rack. the vinyl had previously been removed before i got the car which was great to me. i do not like the vinyl it must have been removed in the early 80's cause there is zero rust on the roof. but to each his own i guess but most vinyl top cars do have rust problems is one reason i don't like them

[Rob74dodge]

Me myself I like the vinal tops. I'm partial because my first 74' Challenger I had from 86'-03' came factory with a white vinyl top. My second that I drive now also came w/ one. It was not put back on by the previous owner that re painted the car the burgandy,I call it, which was the same color as my first car.
 I have been thinking of putting one on this car actually but haven't decided on orig white or black. I know there are some drawbacks but oh well..if ya like em' why not?
How about some pics' of those cool cars
 

[Doomed]

I love the look of a triple black cars, but I cannot say all look good with one - for me it really depends on the colour combo and direction of the build (stock or modified). My 'Cuda does not have one, nor did my Challenger, I dig the cleanliness of no vinyl, if it came from the factory with it, I probably would not remove it.  I was licenced in '87, but was taught how to drive in a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am at the ripe age of 9 (seriously how insane is that?) by my uncle. Vinyl is a nostalgic aspect of my childhood as well, I like how it traps time.

Kyle.

[Road_Runner]

Me myself I like the vinal tops. I'm partial because my first 74' Challenger I had from 86'-03' came factory with a white vinyl top. My second that I drive now also came w/ one. It was not put back on by the previous owner that re painted the car the burgandy,I call it, which was the same color as my first car.
 I have been thinking of putting one on this car actually but haven't decided on orig white or black. I know there are some drawbacks but oh well..if ya like em' why not?
How about some pics' of those cool cars

I posted a couple of pictures of the Barracuda when I bought it a few months ago, but I definitely need to take some new ones now that it has new wheels & tires, looks much better.  The Roadrunner is kind of mid-restoration but its together enough to still take some pics of.  I promise I'll post some soon.

Later, Jim

[JH27N0B]

My T/A is a vinyl top car.  I have to admit, if it was 1970 and I was ordering my car, I wouldn't have ordered the vinyl top.  But now that I am restoring the car, I certainly am going to replace the top.
I know a guy with another red T/A. His car was originally a white vinyl top car!  I've never seen another red with white vinyl top T/A.  He took the top off years ago because he hates the way it looks.  He is restoring the car now, but not putting a top on it.  Everyone tells him he should put the vinyl top back on, because it is so different, but he hates the white top. It's his car, so he can do as he pleases I guess, I'd put the white top on it if it were my car though!

[Road_Runner]

I love the look of a triple black cars, but I cannot say all look good with one - for me it really depends on the colour combo and direction of the build (stock or modified). My 'Cuda does not have one, nor did my Challenger, I dig the cleanliness of no vinyl, if it came from the factory with it, I probably would not remove it.  I was licenced in '87, but was taught how to drive in a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am at the ripe age of 9 (seriously how insane is that?) by my uncle. Vinyl is a nostalgic aspect of my childhood as well, I like how it traps time.

Kyle.

If I don't stay with the original colors on the Cuda, I'm 90% sure I'll go with triple black.  I've temporarily nicknamed it 'Fungus' since its sort of an ugly green but grows on you!     And I totally agree how the vinyl tops really peg these cars as coming from a specific point in time.  That's what I think is cool about them, they're different than everything else now.

Later, Jim

[BadJoey]

My car came with a vinyl top and I love it . Started driving in 1975 . I do not think there is a yes or no , each car has to be considered on its own .

[R/T hedkace]

I LOVE vinyl tops on Mopars....especially E bodies 
Mine will be going back on.....hopefully a mod vinyl top, but Laysons is out of the material I am looking for 

[Road_Runner]

i starting driving in 1997. i am 28 years old. i got my 71 cuda when i was 17. it originally is hemi orange with a black vinyl top and a luggage rack. the vinyl had previously been removed before i got the car which was great to me. i do not like the vinyl it must have been removed in the early 80's cause there is zero rust on the roof. but to each his own i guess but most vinyl top cars do have rust problems is one reason i don't like them

Have to agree about the rust, both cars have slight bubbling at the rear of the top which I've got to get to, but that 71 of yours would look sweet orange & black!

Later, Jim

[Road_Runner]

My car came with a vinyl top and I love it . Started driving in 1975 . I do not think there is a yes or no , each car has to be considered on its own .

I agree that some color combinations and specific cars just look better with vinyl tops than others.  The green & white on my Barracuda would never have been my choice, but somehow it just looks right for a car from the early 70's.

Later, Jim

[Road_Runner]

I LOVE vinyl tops on Mopars....especially E bodies 
Mine will be going back on.....hopefully a mod vinyl top, but Laysons is out of the material I am looking for 

I'd really appreciate pics when you do it, know it will look awesome.  You've got to give it to Chrysler back then, they weren't restrained with color, fabric & vinyl choices!  Back in the 70's I could often tell a car was another Mopar from way off just by the over-the-top color combinations.  Trouble is, police could too!!

Later, Jim

[AARCuda340+6]

I agree that the Vinyl Top on these cars look better on certain colors & performance packages.
With my AAR I always liked how the black flowed from front to back with the hood being black & window louvers.
The vinyl top just complimented the whole look.  I had my windows tinted just to add more to the effect.
I should have the trunk lid painted black and the row of black would be complete.
If the car had a white vinyl top it would not flow and therefore would not look right.
Color is very important to me.

[The Cuda Guy]

V-tops suck.

Don

[CHL2T]

My Challenger had its original white top when I got it in 90, I yanked it around 2000 to stop the rust from eating the dutchman panel. I got it just in time, the very center of the lower channel and the center of the top have minor rust through. the rest of the roof is perfect. I have the trim on and just have a thin coat of flat black on it

The cuda didn't come with a vinyl top and susequently there is zero rust in the trunk or Quarters
The 69 Charger had a tan vinyl top, removed and holes filled before I got it.

I have a black top for the Charger and it will be going back on.
When I re-re-do the Challenger I prolly won't put white vinyl back on it, then again I have black paint and clear, and I do like the tuxedo look