vinyl top seam width

[thedeputy]

Same topic different question,
My challenger was originally equipped with a vinyl top. When I bought it the top was allready removed, but I could clearly see where the seams used to be, because of the rust pitting on both sides of the roof, where the old seams used to be.
The seams used to be about 37" apart, and ran from the corner of the front window too the corner of the back window.
All the tops I see advertised for 1970 challengers are of the wide seam type, with the seams running down the C-pillars.
Can someone shed some light on this please? My car is a Hamtramck built 1970 dodge challenger deputy

Thanks,

Antoon

[thedeputy]

Nobody??

Antoon

[TreeFrog]

The Challenger Style (Wide) and Cuda Style (Narrow) were used respectively, until around 72/73 and all tops became the Cuda(narrow) style.

My 72 had the Challenger (Wide seam), and my wife's 73 had the Cuda style (narrow seam).

We prefer the Narrow seam overall.  I am removing mine, and she will replace hers.


As the story goes .... when they ran out of a part they used one from the other side.  and many challengers has Cuda tops 70 on.  I have never heard of a Cuda with a Challenger top.  I gues Plymouth always stayed stocked up.

[burdar]

The above post is correct.  70-72 Challengers had the wide seam top.  I have never seen a 70-72 Challenger with the narrow top.  That's not to say one doesn't exist though.

The top could have been changed early on in the cars life.  After 40 years, it would look original to the car.

I'd look for more pics of cars equiped with the "deputy" package.  It might have something to do with that.  I think it was the WWS cars that had Cuda seats and gauges.  Maybe some "deputy" cars came with Cuda tops?   

[thedeputy]

The seams were not spaced as with the cuda. I'm sure about that because I've owned a 71 barracuda with a vinyl top as well. The seam on my 70 deputy was somewhere in between the usual wide seam, and the barracuda with the narrow seam.
Anyway, I even mailed with the guys from legendary about it, and even they said they've never seen it. I guess I'm on to something, one of one
Look at the pic, you can clearly see the rust marks, where it used to be.

Antoon

[TreeFrog]

I would guess it was replaced at a local shop that made the top.

may have been replaced before aftermarkets were readily accessible.


.... only a guess, I just find it hard to believe you got The Vinyl Top Proto-type....

[burdar]

It could have had an aftermarket top installed early on in its life.  Like I said before, after 40 years, it would look original even if it wasn't.  Do some research on the Deputy models and see if you can find others like it.

[thedeputy]

I seriously don't think it was redone somewhere in its life, Why would anyone replace it, and still glue it to the unpainted roof?
And also another thing, I found pics of a challenger now driving in germany. It's an unrestored survivor, all original 1970 dodge challenger R/T 440 six pack dealer demo. Check out the top.

http://faby.de/chally/max-moga5.jpg

Nobody who might have a clue on these vinyl tops?

Antoon

[burdar]

Here is a picture of a 74 Challenger with an aftermarket top on it.  The seam looks to be where yours was.  There are a lot of reasons why a top could have been replaced.  Maybe a dealer was doing a promotion and changed the color of the top...who knows.

Anyway, I hope you find your answer.