1986 cutlass supreme brougham TOP

[r4in420]

Hello i recently decided to take on the challenge of fixing a 1986 cutlass supreme brougham that was left to me by my grandma. I was looking at the TOP Material cover that goes over the back 2 windows and i would like to take it off because it looks faded. Also i just think the car will look alot better with it off. Has anyone seen this done? Or can give me a idea on what this project will entail? Also i would like to no the difficulty of this to. thank you so much for your time and help. I will post pictures if you require further explanation on what i am talking about.


- r4in

 

[360x]

It's pretty common. Just watch what for you wish for when you take it off. It could be scary underneath. I've seen pics of the one guy removing his and finding a rust hole the size of kansas.

I agree though. They do look better without the tops.

 

[2000.malibu.ls]

ok, the material, is vinyl, it is going to be over 350 dollars to replace, if you take off the quater roof vinyl top, you will need to fill in all the rivets and clips attatched to the roof. You will need body work, and probably the top re-painted.

 

[r4in420]

well i am going to get the car all repainted anyway because it was in a accident about a half year ago. the interior is very clean and it only has about 30,000 miles on it with a rebuilt 307 engine/trans. it sat in a garage and was drove very seldom from the time it was purchased to now. Also you mention i will need body work and to fill the rivets in, is that something i could do at home if i went out/ borrowed the tools from a friend or would it be a lot better to get it done at a auto body shop?

 

[360x]

You're not going to replace the top so I'd do it myself If I were you. Assuming no significant rust, you should be able to do it and save a buck or two. If you were replacing the top, I suggest getting a shop to do it. Not that it's hard, but it's one of those things you could screw up.

 

[Blake442]

Taking them off isn't that hard, but in order to get all the vinyl off, you'll need to remove the 1/4 windows. Also, the proper studs for the rear window trim won't be there, and in order to install them without breaking the glass, you'll need to remove it as well.

The old studs are easy to deal with, just grab them with a vise-grip and twist them off. A dab of putty and it's like they were never there.

Just cross your fingers that there isn't much rot underneath it...

 

[r4in420]

So the procedure would go like this:

1.) Remove 1/4 windows
2.) Take off vinyl
3.) Put 1/4 windows back on with proper studs
(Proper studs can be bought where? and what would i search for to find them?)
3.) twist off old studs with vise-grip
4.) fill in holes with putty
5.) get car painted


Sorry about the large amount of questions this is my first "restoration" project and i haven't a clue on a lot of this stuff. Once again i thank you greatly for your time and help. Its very much appreciated on my end.
😀

 

[Blake442]

More like this...

1. Remove rear interior panels to access 1/4 windows.
2. Remove trim around the top and 1/4 windows, and then the vinyl material.
3. Remove rear glass and clean channel
4. Clean off old adhesive and fuzz for hours.
5. Twist off old studs for the trim.
6. Repair any rust issues.
7. Finish body work and paint.
8. Install proper clips with screws(no need to weld in studs)(You'll also need to get the rear window trim for a non vinyl top car) for the rear window trim.
9. Reinstall rear glass and your new trim.
10. Reinstall 1/4 glass with proper seal.
11. Reinstall interior.

Sounds like fun, huh?

 

[r4in420]

wow that sounds like a lot of work. Looks like ill be calling up some of my old friends that enjoy working on cars for some extra help. Haha wish it could just be "Screw off vinyl top and Bam your done" but since when is life easy! Alright Blake thank you for your help now i at least no what I'm getting my self into. I'll be sure to post picture when im done with it. Picking up the new FRONT CLIP this Monday and a 4 inch cowl hood, some black olds rally wheels, Headers, flow master original 40 mufflers. Hopefully it will look as nice as i hope it will once i get that top off and get it painted black. once again thanks for your help =]

 

[r4in420]

actually Ive been doing some research and it wouldn't look half bad with a new black vinyl top. Anyone no where they sell them or a place i could find one?