Vinyl tops

[565bbchevy]

So way back when I bought my 83' Monte it came with the CL trim package and had a half vinyl top and I eventually converted the car to the SS look and removed the vinyl top which was painted underneath and I just had to mig up the holes for the trim, even the the rear molding and studs were in place under the vinyl.
When I joined here years ago I was still under the impression that all vinyls were done like mine but found out mine is aftermarket and the factory installed ones were unfinished underneath along with how many super clean cars I have seen on here that have had a nightmare hiding under that vinyl top with no real indication it was there.
So now I find myself every time I look at a possible project car no matter how nice it is or good of a deal if I see a vinyl top I just tell myself "NOPE"
There are many other things that turn me away from considering a car but the vinyl seems to top my list since you don't know what's underneath until you own it
I am just wondering if others do the same.

 

[ck80]

So way back when I bought my 83' Monte it came with the CL trim package and had a half vinyl top and I eventually converted the car to the SS look and removed the vinyl top which was painted underneath and I just had to mig up the holes for the trim, even the the rear molding and studs were in place under the vinyl.
When I joined here years ago I was still under the impression that all vinyls were done like mine but found out mine is aftermarket and the factory installed ones were unfinished underneath along with how many super clean cars I have seen on here that have had a nightmare hiding under that vinyl top with no real indication it was there.
So now I find myself every time I look at a possible project car no matter how nice it is or good of a deal if I see a vinyl top I just tell myself "NOPE"
There are many other things that turn me away from considering a car but the vinyl seems to top my list since you don't know what's underneath until you own it
I am just wondering if others do the same.

If you get used to what to look for, 99% of dealer installed top had differences in the trim holding the vinyl on, and the kits seemed pretty consistent - at least in the new England area. So you can tell when the top is an add-on, or at least replacement. Gives better odds on a finished surface underneath.

 

[scoti]

I avoid & tell people to avoid used cars w/vinyl tops unless the cars history is know.

The current car I have is a vinyl top car. It was also a <50k mile car that spent much of it's life local to me in TX & stored under a roof. I want to remove it but haven't because I didn't want to change too much of the cars 'originality' (wasn't sure how long it would stick around). But, things change & since it's still here the vinyl will likely get removed specifically for the moisture/rotting concern it causes.

Not sure if the car will go 2-tone (painted/roof only) or one solid color/painted to match.

 

[pontiac guy]

My car has a vinyl top. Didn't think twice about grabbing it

 

[druggles85]

Beggar's can't be choosers. Lol. My car was a vinyl top car. Might have left it on too if the back window wasn't rattling around loose. I had no rust holes to fix, but I'm terrible at bodywork.

 

[303'505rollin]

If you can find a top less car great if not oh well expect some work down the line or keep it garaged. It wasn't the cars fault for choosing the top, but since there not as plentiful anymore you gotta get what's available at the time

 

[ck80]

If you can find a top less car great if not oh well expect some work down the line or keep it garaged. It wasn't the cars fault for choosing the top, but since there not as plentiful anymore you gotta get what's available at the time

A good deal depends on who owns it, and how it was treated.

I have two factory vinyl top cars that were garage kept. The vinyl is still soft, never cracked, never lost a seal, didn't get the rust problems. But a car parked outside, left in the sun.... whole different story.

 

[Rktpwrd]

But a car parked outside, left in the sun.... whole different story.

Yep…

 

[303'505rollin]

I've had some great tops on cars too but once they get in the sun to long they dry and shrink then the moisture from the night swells it back, my 77 was perfect till 4 years ago when my moms BF moved it out the garage, first place to split was the French seam down the middle and then the tight edges around the windows grrrr

 

[303'505rollin]

My box chevy did bake off clean thou