Vinyl Top Delete 87 Cutlass

[87Cuts]

Good morning all, I’m going to be doing a compete vinyl top delete on my 1987 Cutlass. It’s already 1/2 off and extremely raggedy. So far from the videos I’ve seen and the questions I’ve asked it looks like it just needs the rivets ground off. Couple technical questions so I know what to expect:

1. Rear apron, these are aluminum for early g bodies are they steel for the late 80’s models? If so I can grind the rivets and just MIG weld up the holes. If not, any suggestions on apron replacement?

2. No roof reinforcing needs to be done correct?

3. How do you vinyl top delete veterans secure the chrome strips in without the mounts that come on the hard tops? Drill holes? What’s the best suggestion for this?

Thanks all!

 

[565bbchevy]

The rear piece can be welded or replaced with one from a hardtop car.
No roof reinforcement needed
My Monte had an aftermarket vinyl so the rivets were there for the molding but if they are not you can use this style screw to hold the clips.
Also the quarter windows (seals) typically need to be replaced with one from a hardtop.

DRCSite

D & R Classic Automotive

www.drclassic.com

 

[87Cuts]

The rear piece can be welded or replaced with one from a hardtop car.
No roof reinforcement needed
My Monte had an aftermarket vinyl so the rivets were there for the molding but if they are not you can use this style screw to hold the clips.
Also the quarter windows (seals) typically need to be replaced with one from a hardtop.

DRCSite

D & R Classic Automotive

www.drclassic.com

View attachment 127809

Just what I needed, thanks 🙏

Any recommendation for seals? Is there an aftermarket source for Cutty window seals?

 

[Northernregal]

Just what I needed, thanks 🙏

Any recommendation for seals? Is there an aftermarket source for Cutty window seals?

If the cuttys are like the Regals, find a set of HT quarter windows in the junkyard. Mine are part of the quarter windows.

 

[87Cuts]

If the cuttys are like the Regals, find a set of HT quarter windows in the junkyard. Mine are part of the quarter windows.

I’m not sure if they’re interchangeable the cuttys MC and regals have different shaped 1/4 windows. And man, if we find g bodies in yards down here in LA they’re total skeletons. Haven’t found a 1/2 decent one in years. Non g body owners strip them and sell parts often.

Anyone know for sure about the windows?

Good looking out homie

 

[565bbchevy]

I have never seen the quarter window seals sold in the aftermarket or sold separate from the quarter windows, maybe post something in the wanted section here for 81'- 88' HT Cutlass quarter windows.

 

[Injectedcutty]

I’m not sure if they’re interchangeable the cuttys MC and regals have different shaped 1/4 windows. And man, if we find g bodies in yards down here in LA they’re total skeletons. Haven’t found a 1/2 decent one in years. Non g body owners strip them and sell parts often.

Anyone know for sure about the windows?

Good looking out homie

Lemme get home and I'll explain further since I pulled the vinyl from my 87 Cutlass and it's now a hardtop.

 

[TURNA]

Drkuhar just did it and has everything in his thread

First car reborn - GBodyForum - '78-'88 General Motors A/G-Body Community

So I pulled the cluster back out and tightened all the nuts behind the gauges, lightly skuffed the terminal on the plug, and pulled the guages out of their ports and gave the keepers a squeeze. The voltage gauge is reading properly and fuel guage is reading same as the sweep cluster did. Look...

gbodyforum.com

 

[87Cuts]

I have never seen the quarter window seals sold in the aftermarket or sold separate from the quarter windows, maybe post something in the wanted section here for 81'- 88' HT Cutlass quarter windows.

Gotcha! Thanks

 

[87Cuts]

Lemme get home and I'll explain further since I pulled the vinyl from my 87 Cutlass and it's now a hardtop.

Awesome! Thanks