Converting to Non vinyl top????

[J.Rod22]

I have a 1988 Cutlass Supreme Classic with a vinyl top but I want to make it a hard top. I already know I have to get non vinyl top quarter windows but Im confused about what kind of rear window trim that I need or how many pieces it is. I got three pieces of rear window trim from a monte carlo at the junk yard today but dont know if thats all i need or what. I need help

 

[350_85cutty]

on the cutlass, there is also a piece of chome along the bottom of the window...you can buy the clips for those on gbodyparts.com...you'll have to take the back window out and use some small screws to hold the plastic clips that hold the chrome trim on...the hardtop cutty's have the lil studs on already...like the ones you see that hold the vinyl top plastic clips.

idk tho, I have seen a mint cutlass around town with original vinyl top and chrome trim around the back window. a old couple owns it and I envy them lol

 

[J.Rod22]

If I take it to a glass shop would they know how to put it on???

 

[350_85cutty]

i don't know, i was wondering the same question, cuz I'm gonna have to do the same thing...I was at the paint supply place and they sell Body Side Molding Rivets, you use a Stud Welding Gun (the one you pull dents with) to attach them like the factory did, pretty neat didn't know they had those...

 

[J.Rod22]

Lol I guess we gonna both have to find out because I've never done any work on a car so I doubt i would do it myself,

 

[81Regal]

The rear window need to be removed to do the job properly. Either the studs need to be welded on or you can use stainless screws with a dab of silicone to seal it up.
The panel right below the window will need the tabs ground off and the panel repainted also.

 

[Chris Van]

I think you may be a little surprised at what's under there. My 83 had the chrome molding under there. It was a pain in the *ss getting all that glue off of it but it looked great afterwords. And what is this about the windows being different? My now non vinyl top car has the same windows in it that it had when it had the vinyl top.

 

[Qdub24]

I think you may be a little surprised at what's under there. My 83 had the chrome molding under there. It was a pain in the *ss getting all that glue off of it but it looked great afterwords. And what is this about the windows being different? My now non vinyl top car has the same windows in it that it had when it had the vinyl top.

My 83 was the same way. However, my 85 was made differently so I left the top on it.

 

[350_85cutty]

I think you may be a little surprised at what's under there. My 83 had the chrome molding under there. It was a pain in the *ss getting all that glue off of it but it looked great afterwords. And what is this about the windows being different? My now non vinyl top car has the same windows in it that it had when it had the vinyl top.

X2 I kept the same windows