Vinyl top question

[Xtrememotorworks]

Want to take the Vinyl top off my 83 Gp, anyone know if the body work is finished underneath? Have had cars in the past have unfinished body work and some with paint... Thanks!

 

[565bbchevy]

It depends, as you have found out already that some come unfinished the ones that have proper body and paint were most likely sent out to a conversion shop to have the vinyl installed so they would receive a hardtop car to start with.
I never knew about the unfinished ones until I joined this forum but apparently that is how the factory installed ones were done.
My Monte had a vinyl and it had perfect paint and body work underneath, I only removed it because I did not like how it looked.
Maybe there is an option code to know if you have a factory installed vinyl.

 

[Xtrememotorworks]

Thanks for the reply, just trying to figure out what I'm getting into before I do it. How about trim and seals? Any difference between the soft and hard top?

 

[joesregalproject]

Thanks for the reply, just trying to figure out what I'm getting into before I do it. How about trim and seals? Any difference between the soft and hard top?

I shaved my vinyl top. The quarter window seals are different but my auto glass guy was able to make my old ones fit nicely. The trim around the back window is different and you will have to make/screw/weld studs to get the new trim to attach, unless you just want to epoxy it on. I found some screw-in studs that worked nicely.

 

[565bbchevy]

My Monte vinyl top quarter window seals were the same as a hardtop car but the rubber seal around the window would have never laid flat so I bought some SS windows for that car.
My Monte also came with the rivets to hold the rear window trim on.
Since I know my Monte was sent to ASC for the power sunroof I would guess it went to a conversion shop after that for the vinyl.
I am guessing but maybe the factory installed vinyls are the ones that use smaller quarter window seals than a hardtop car so you might be able to tell that way if your roof will be finished or not.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

iirc, the padded vinyl tops were thick enough to cover up the lack of finishing. and also did not have the trim around the rear window. if you need the trim, there are plastic retainers that need to be added. they are usually replaced when installing a rear window. they just stick in the butyl or urethane. talk to a glass installation shop.
also, if you have a factory padded top, the area where the top wraps around to the rear glass has a, for lack of a better term, an appliqué that is riveted to the body to give the corners a more rounded look. the rivets need to be removed and holes filled.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

With my Regal, it was painted under the vinyl top, but the roof seam filler wasn't sanded or contoured to match the body. The factory didn't use lead filler on vinyl top cars like on the hardtops. For Vinyl top cars the factory used a low grade bondo filler that is prone to cracking.

 

[Chuckles87blue]

I have a 1983 Grand Prix and it looks rough and unfinished under the vinyl just on the sides of the window next to the trim, the rear sail panel is different due to the studs for the clips and there are studs across the top of front of the vinyl. It also had no rust under it but the roof feels really flimsy. I can get some pics of it I can post them next week when I get back in town.

 

[Lazarus]

If it looks OK leave it well enough alone. Some surprises are best never known. Still pissed off.

 

[Chuckles87blue]

Wow that looks rough here are A few pics of what it looks like